AZ Alkmaar vs Heracles Almelo

AZ Alkmaar welcome rock-bottom Heracles Almelo to the AFAS Stadion with both sides needing points for very different reasons. AZ sit seventh on 39 points, chasing European qualification, while Heracles prop up the Eredivisie table with a meagre 18 points from 26 games. The hosts have been inconsistent — defeats to PSV and FC Utrecht dent confidence — but their home record against Heracles is formidable, unbeaten in 13 meetings in Alkmaar since 2012. Jizz Hornkamp, who netted 10 league goals for Heracles before his January move to AZ, could face his old side for the first time. Centre-back Alexandre Penetra is suspended. Heracles are in freefall — winless in five league games, conceding 12 goals while scoring just two. Injuries to Luka Kulenovic and Jeff Reine-Adelaide further thin an already struggling squad. Everything points toward a comfortable home win. Our prediction: 3-1.