The Dutch Eredivisie is usually won by one of three teams and they are Ajax, PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord. The defending champions are Feyenoord, who won the 2016/17 Eredivisie title by just 1 point over second place Ajax. PSV Eindhoven finished a further 5 points behind in the third place.
Since 1981/82, only two other teams outside these three have won the Eredivisie title, with FC Twente being the most recent and AZ Alkmaar winning it the season before them in 2008/09. This weekend AZ travel to play Vitesse, who currently lead the title race themselves. Can Vitesse remain at the top of the table or will AZ pick up the win and move level on points with the current leaders?
Vitesse Form
Vitesse finished last season in 5th place and qualified for the Europa League group stages because of their win in the cup. They will be aiming to at least match that position or finish higher in the Eredivisie this season. Having started the season with a penalty defeat to Feyenoord in the Super Cup, Vitesse hit the ground running in the league with a good 4-1 home win against NAC Breda. This was followed up last weekend with a 3-1 win at Roda JC and leaves them top of the table.
Vitesse have won their last 3 league games in a row including last season’s final match and have lost just one of their previous 6 home Eredivisie games. They have scored 18 goals in those 6 matches.
AZ Form
AZ finished 6th in the league last season, 2 points behind opponents Vitesse. This saw them qualify for the Europa League playoffs a tournament they lost in the final on penalties after two exciting games. AZ started the season with a difficult trip to PSV Eindhoven and came away with a 3-2 defeat. Having opened the scoring in the match they conceded 3 goals without reply before netting a late consolation goal.
Their first home match of the season ended in a 2-0 win over ADO Den Haag, a match they were expected to win. Away from home in the league, AZ have won 3 of their last 8 matches and only 1 of the last 4. AZ have conceded at least once in each of their last 14 away games and allowed 19 goals in their last 7 on the road.
Team News
Vitesse have the luxury of a fully fit squad available for this match, with no injury or suspension concerns. That should mean they start in a 4-3-3 formation with Tim Matavz, Bryan Linssen and Milot Rashica in attack. AZ are without the injured Calvin Stengs who has a long-term knee problem which could see him miss the rest of the season. They will also play in a 4-3-3 formation with Wout Weghorst leading the line.
Top Betting Tips
Vitesse have scored an average of 3 goals in their last 6 home Eredivisie matches and AZ have conceded 19 goals in their last 7 on the road. This suggests there will be chances for the home team and you can get 14/5 with Ladbrokes for Vitesse to score 3 or more goals.
Given their form at the start of the season and their home record towards the end of last season, Vitesse are the favourites to take maximum points from this match and can be backed at 23/20 with Ladbrokes to win the game. Thomas Bruns has enjoyed a good goal scoring start to the campaign in midfield, netting in both games this season. Bruns is 13/5 with Ladbrokes to score at any time.