On Wednesday evening, Heracles and AZ Alkmaar go head-to-head at the Erve Asito in a game that could be important to both team’s Eredivisie campaigns.
Heracles looking over their shoulders at the bottom threeThe home team’s recent poor form has Heracles looking nervously over their shoulders at the Eredivisie’s bottom three. They are only four points clear of the relegation play-off spot in the Dutch top flight.
Last time out, they were defeated 1-0 at FC Twente, meaning that they have lost four of their last six games in the Eredivisie.
Their recent games in the Dutch top flight have been relatively low-scoring, with under 2.5 goals scored in four of their previous six outings.
Heracles' recent home record in the Eredivisie has been inconsistent. They have won two of their last nine matches in the Dutch top flight but are unbeaten in three home games.
Erwin van de Looi’s team has been relatively prolific on home soil in the Eredivisie, scoring two goals in each of their last four home games in the league.
AZ in fine formThe visitors head into this match on the back of a seven-game unbeaten run in the Dutch top-flight. A 2-0 home win over Vitesse Arnhem means that AZ have won five of their seven unbeaten games.
Maarten Martens's team has been highly potent in front of goal in the Dutch top flight, having scored at least two goals in five of their last six matches in the Eredivisie.
Their recent good results and potency have kept AZ in fourth place in the table, four points adrift of third-place FC Twente.
AZ are unbeaten in five away games in the Eredivisie, having recorded two wins and three draws. However, they have won just two of their last nine away games in the league.
What am I backing?This is a difficult one to judge, as Heracles haven’t lost many home games of late, while AZ has been tough to beat on their travels. I can see this game delivering on goals, though, so the bet I am backing is over 2.5 goals scored.
