19.1.2018.

PICK OF THE DAY

Utrecht - Az Alkmar

Tip : 3+ (over 2.5)

Odd : 1.60

FT : ??

Both the Utrecht and the AZ fans will have been very happy with their sides first half of the season performances as their clubs occupy top six places, but there is still plenty of work to be done if both are to qualify for Europe and three points tomorrow would provide even more belief to whichever side, if any, starts the new year with a win. Utrecht can’t afford to not win this match if they are to catch AZ this season, with the gap already up to ten points. An AZ win would take them level on points with Ajax in second place, but the goal scoring ability of the top two clubs suggests it would be very difficult for ALkmaar to finish any higher than third, though its certainly not impossible.

Back in October AZ played host to Utrecht in the pairs first league meeting of the campaign, and the home side picked up a comfortable three points. Koopmeiners broke the deadlock in the twenty-first minute to put the hosts in front, but Utrecht continued to create chances and see plenty of the ball. The second half continued to be just as competitive and the next goal was always going to be key to the final result, and it was AZ who got it just after the hour mark when Jahanbakhsh converted a nice pass from Ouwejan. Utrecht never gave up and continued to push for a goal that would have brought them back into the game, however in the eightieth minute van Overeem made it 3-0 and ended any hopes of a comeback for the visitors. Utrecht saw more of the ball during the ninety minutes, but ended up being punished for their lack of clinical finishing in the final third.

With four wins, one draw, and one defeat, it’s the visitors from Alkmaar who hold the title of form favourites heading into Friday nights game, but their two toughest games during that period, at home to Ajax and away to PEC Zwolle, were where AZ failed to win and this should give Utrecht hope. The hosts have picked up three wins, two draws, and one defeat from their last six matches, and aren’t too far behind AZ in the form guide, so with the home fans behind them they must fancy their chances of taking something from this game. The last nine meetings between the two teams have gone on to produce over 2.5 goals, and that has our mouths watering at the prospect of another goal-filled game between the two parties on Friday.

Morocco’s Labyad top scores for Utrecht with seven Eredivisie goals this season, but teammate Dessers has six and will be just as much of a threat to the oppositions goal. Strikers Weghorst and Jahanbakhsh have scored eight and seven goals in the league respectively, but Alkmaar also have a goal scoring midfielder in the form of Til, who has notched six goals from the centre of the park and will cause Utrecht issues with his late runs into the box.

We’re confident that this game is going to produce over 2.5 goals, as it has done the last nine times these two sides have come up against one another competitively. As for a final score, we’re backing a 2-2 draw, as both sides have lost just once in their last six matches and both could be a little rusty following almost a month away from competitive action following the winter break.