AZ v NEC Nijmegen: top-five tussle for European places | OneFootball

AZ host NEC Nijmegen in the Eredivisie on Saturday, 31 January 2026 in Alkmaar, with fifth facing fourth and European qualification on the line.

NEC Nijmegen edged the reverse fixture 2-1 in September. Both sides start inside the top five, adding weight to a meeting that could reshape the European picture.

AZ come in off a 1-0 league win at Telstar and a 1-1 draw with Excelsior, alongside a 6-0 KNVB Beker victory over Ajax. NEC Nijmegen have beaten NAC Breda 4-3 and PEC Zwolle 2-1 either side of a 2-2 draw with Ajax.

The hosts are without Sven Mijnans, Denso Kasius, Rome Owusu-Oduro, Kees Smit and Mexx Meerdink. The visitors list Bram Nuytinck, Bryan Linssen, Philippe Sandler, Darko Nejasmic, Youssef El Kachati and Freek Entius as absentees.

Season trends point to clear routes to goal. AZ average 54% possession and 82.86% pass accuracy, and supply frequent crosses from open play. NEC Nijmegen have scored 49 league goals at 2.6 per game, including nine headers, with Basar Önal and Tjaronn Chery prominent providers. Jizz Hornkamp and Troy Parrott lead AZ's threat with 10 league goals each, while Koki Ogawa is among NEC Nijmegen's key finishers.

A home win would lift AZ to 35 points and could tighten their grip on the European race. NEC Nijmegen would move to 38 with victory, strengthening fourth place and keeping pressure on the Champions League qualifying spot above.