AZ v FC Twente: top-six rivals eye European play-off boost | OneFootball

AZ host FC Twente in the Eredivisie on Sunday, 3 May 2026 in Alkmaar, with fifth facing sixth and European play-off seeding in focus.

The sides split their last two meetings. AZ won 2-1 in the KNVB Beker quarter-finals in February, while FC Twente edged the league fixture 1-0 in November. The visitors arrive five points ahead in the table.

FC Twente are unbeaten in four league games, winning three, including away victories at Ajax and Fortuna Sittard. AZ have been strong at home, winning their last three Eredivisie matches in Alkmaar without conceding, beating Heracles, Fortuna Sittard and Heerenveen.

AZ are without defender Billy van Duijl through injury. FC Twente miss centre-back Mees Hilgers, also injured.

Both teams have scored 52 league goals, but FC Twente have conceded fewer (33) than AZ (45). For the hosts, Troy Parrott leads the line with 15 league goals, while Sven Mijnans and Jizz Hornkamp add support. The visitors' threat could come from Kristian Hlynsson, on nine league goals, with Daan Rots and Ricky van Wolfswinkel both on eight, and Sam Lammers supplying seven assists.

A home win would move AZ to 52 points, keeping them in the play-off places and cutting the gap to the top five. An away victory would lift FC Twente to 57 points and could take them above Ajax into fourth. A draw would maintain their current cushion.