AZ v Heracles: play-off push meets relegation fight | OneFootball

AZ host Heracles in the Eredivisie on Sunday, 15 March 2026 in Alkmaar, with a European play-off bid up against a survival battle at the foot of the table.

AZ have the recent edge in this fixture, winning 2-1 away in September. The hosts sit sixth with 39 points in the Qualification Play-offs zone, while Heracles are 18th on 18 points and fighting to stay in the division.

Form points to contrasting momentum. AZ have three wins in their last five across all competitions, including victories over Sparta Rotterdam and Sparta Prague. Heracles are winless in five league games, taking just one point in that run.

Selection shapes the picture. AZ are without Jeroen Zoet, Seiya Maikuma and Mateo Chávez through injury, and Alexandre Penetra is suspended. Heracles list Mike te Wierik, Jeff Reine-Adelaide, Fabian De Keijzer, Walid Ould-Chikh, Luka Kulenović and Yvandro Borges Sanches as absentees.

On the pitch, AZ average 1.7 goals per game and keep the ball better, with 52% possession and 81.83% pass accuracy. Troy Parrott has 13 league goals, with Jizz Hornkamp on 10, while Sven Mijnans adds creation. Heracles have conceded 65 and kept just two clean sheets, so organisation without the ball will be crucial, with Ajdin Hrustic's six assists key to supplying their forwards.

A home win would strengthen AZ's grip on a play-off berth and push them closer to the sides above. Any points for Heracles would aid their bid to climb off the bottom and cut the gap in the relegation fight.