Groningen v AZ: play-off push meets mid-table climb | OneFootball

Groningen host AZ in the Eredivisie at Euroborg on Sunday, 22 March 2026, with the visitors sitting sixth and aiming to tighten their grip on the Qualification Playoffs places while the hosts, 11th, chase a move up the table.

AZ have dominated recent meetings, including a 4-1 home win in August 2025, though Groningen held them to a goalless draw at Euroborg in August 2024.

Form points to momentum for the visitors. AZ have won four of their last five across all competitions, including a 4-0 league victory over Heracles and back-to-back Conference League wins against Sparta Prague. Groningen have taken four points from their last two after a 3-1 win over Ajax and a 1-1 draw at PEC Zwolle.

Both sides are managing injuries. Groningen list Oskar Zawada, Etienne Vaessen, Stije Resink, Mark Hoekstra and Yénio Holder as out. AZ are without Jeroen Zoet, Jizz Hornkamp, Seiya Maikuma, Ro Daal and Mateo Chávez.

Routes to goal could split on profile. AZ have scored 47 league goals with 81.79% passing accuracy and 23.05% cross accuracy, and Troy Parrott sits joint third in the scoring chart on 14. Groningen are balanced at 37 scored and 37 conceded, have seven clean sheets, strong aerial numbers and seven headed goals. Thom van Bergen leads their scoring on seven, with Younes Taha providing seven assists.

A home win would move Groningen to 38 points and could nudge them towards the play-off picture. Victory for AZ would take them to 45 points and strengthen their hold on the Qualification Playoffs places.