AZ v Sparta Rotterdam: play-off rivals meet in top-six tussle | OneFootball

AZ host Sparta Rotterdam in the Eredivisie on 22 February 2026 in Alkmaar, with fifth playing sixth and just a point between them in the race for European play-off spots.

AZ edged the reverse meeting 1-0 away in November, and the margins remain slim: Sparta have 37 points to AZ's 36, both sitting in the qualification play-off bracket.

Form tilts towards the visitors. Sparta are unbeaten in five league games with three wins followed by two draws, while AZ's last five show two wins, a draw and two defeats across league and Europe.

Availability could shape selection. AZ list Denso Kasius, Seiya Maikuma, Weslley Patati and Rome Owusu-Oduro as injured, with Mateo Chávez and Rio Robbemond suspended. Sparta report injuries for Vito van Crooy and Giannino Vianello.

On the pitch, AZ tend to keep the ball, averaging 53% possession and completing 82.21% of passes, and they carry threats through Troy Parrott, joint third in the league scoring chart with 12 goals, and Jizz Hornkamp on 10. Sparta are sturdier without the ball, with nine clean sheets and strong aerial numbers, and could look to supply Tobias Lauritsen, who has 10 league goals, via frequent wide deliveries.

A home win would lift AZ to 39 points and could move them above Sparta, strengthening their grip on the top six. Victory for Sparta would take them to 40 points and further cement fifth while keeping pressure on the sides above in the European chase.