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PSV
Eredivisie | Gameweek 16
Jan 13, 2021 at 5.45pm UK
Philips Stadium
AZ Alkmaar

PSV
1 - 3
AZ

Max (59')
Rosario (26'), Dumfries (56'), Sangare (69')
FT(HT: 0-2)
Koopmeiners (31' pen., 39'), Stengs (90')
Hatzidiakos (58'), Martins Indi (68'), Wijndal (77')

Preview: PSV Eindhoven vs. AZ Alkmaar - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Eredivisie clash between PSV Eindhoven and AZ Alkmaar, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

PSV Eindhoven play host to AZ Alkmaar on Wednesday evening with the opportunity to move into first place in the Eredivisie standings.

While the home side recorded a 2-2 draw with Ajax at the weekend, the visitors were held by mid-table outfit PEC Zwolle.


Match preview

PSV Eindhoven head coach Roger Schmidt pictured in October 2020© Reuters

When his side established a 2-0 advantage at Ajax within the opening quarter of Sunday's match, PSV boss Roger Schmidt would have been confident of retaining hold of that lead for the duration of the contest.

The leaders ultimately fought back to get back on level terms by the 65th minute, inevitably leaving Schmidt with mixed emotions ahead of what could become a four-way chase for the title.

While Feyenoord and Vitesse only are regarded as outsiders, PSV now have to take notice of the teams below them, as well as ensuring that they do not drop any more points in the coming weeks.

PSV head into their meeting with the fifth-placed side having extended their unbeaten streak to 12 games in all competitions, a run which has lasted since November 8.

Despite supplying two assists in Amsterdam, Donyell Malen is under pressure to improve on a return of two goals from his last five appearances.

Although AZ head into this contest having avoided defeat in their last five league encounters, back-to-back draws have not helped their title push.

Pascal Jansen's team now sit seven points adrift of Ajax after failing to overcome mid-table pair FC Utrecht and PEC Zwolle either side of the New Year break.

Nine games have now been played since AZ recorded a clean sheet, but 19 goals have been scored at the other end to keep the club on a positive track.

While they remain with just one defeat in 15 matches in the Eredivisie, Jansen will acknowledge that draws are no longer good enough if the club wish to challenge for Champions League qualification.

Nevertheless, there will be few complaints if they earn a share of the spoils on Wednesday, even if a stalemate puts the club at risk of dropping down to seventh position.

PSV Eindhoven Eredivisie form: WDWWWD
PSV Eindhoven form (all competitions): WWWWWD

AZ Alkmaar Eredivisie form: LWWWDD
AZ Alkmaar form (all competitions): LWWWDD


Team News

PSV Eindhoven players celebrate in October 2020© Reuters

With three tough fixtures in the space of a week, Schmidt will have to considering making changes for this game.

Despite netting twice against Ajax, veteran Eran Zahavi could be replaced by Noni Madueke, while Ryan Thomas and Mauro Junior are alternatives in midfield.

Jansen has a decision to make regarding Bruno Martins Indi, who came through 60 minutes on his return from injury at the weekend.

Ron Vlaar is back in the squad after a lengthy absence, making the veteran centre-back an option for Jansen if no risks are taken on Martins Indi.

PSV Eindhoven possible starting lineup:
Mvogo; Dumfries, Teze, Boscagli, Max; Rosario, Tangare, Thomas; Junior, Madueke, Malen

AZ Alkmaar possible starting lineup:
Bizot; Sugawara, Hatzidiakos, Martins Indi, Wijndal; Midtsjo, Reijnders, Koopmeiners; Stengs, Boadu, Karlsson


SM words green background

We say: PSV Eindhoven 3-1 AZ Alkmaar

Despite the possibility of lingering frustration within the PSV ranks, we feel that it could play into their favour for this contest. AZ are capable of recording a surprise win, but the home side should have enough quality in the final third to outclass their opponents.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a home win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home Win:data



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Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a PSV Eindhoven win with a probability of 52.97%. A win for AZ Alkmaar had a probability of 24.75% and a draw had a probability of 22.3%.

The most likely scoreline for a PSV Eindhoven win was 2-1 with a probability of 9.69%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 1-0 (8.16%) and 2-0 (7.79%). The likeliest AZ Alkmaar win was 1-2 (6.3%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (10.14%). The actual scoreline of 1-3 was predicted with a 2.6% likelihood.


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Game History

How you voted: PSV vs AZ

PSV Eindhoven
83.9%
Draw
10.2%
AZ
5.9%
118
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AZ Alkmaar's Albert Guomundsson celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates in October 2020
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1PSV EindhovenPSV1211014093133
2FC UtrechtUtrecht119112011928
3Ajax1182125111426
4Feyenoord1274128131525
5FC Twente1264224111322
6AZ AlkmaarAZ125252314917
7Fortuna SittardSittard125251316-317
8NECNijmegen125161910916
9Willem II124351312115
10Go Ahead Eagles124351520-515
11NAC BredaNAC Breda125071221-915
12Heerenveen124261323-1014
13Groningen123361219-712
14PEC Zwolle123361422-812
15Heracles123361223-1112
16Sparta RotterdamSparta122551218-611
17Almere CityAlmere City12138627-216
18RKC WaalwijkRKC Waalwijk1211101031-214


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