AZ Alkmaar – Utrecht

AZ Alkmaar head into the home fixture as clear second‑place contenders, having amassed 16 points from five wins and a draw while boasting a solid 17‑6 goal difference. Utrecht, languishing in 14th spot, sit on just five points after one victory and two stalemates, and their -8 goal margin (11 scored, 19 conceded) underscores a season of defensive frailties. The gap between the two sides is stark, with AZ averaging three points per game compared with Utrecht’s one point per outing. If the Dutch side can translate their prolific attack into another clean sheet, they will likely extend their lead at the top, while Utrecht will need a dramatic turnaround to climb out of the relegation‑threatened zone.