AZ v Heerenveen: play-off rivals separated by one point | OneFootball

AZ host Heerenveen in the Eredivisie on Sunday, 12 April 2026 in Alkmaar, with sixth meeting seventh and a single point between them in the race for European play-off spots.

AZ sit sixth on 45 points, one ahead of seventh-placed Heerenveen. The hosts have won back-to-back league games at home, beating Heracles 4-0 and Fortuna Sittard 2-0, but lost away at PSV and Groningen either side of those results. The visitors arrive in form after four wins and a draw in their last five league matches, including a 4-1 victory over Heracles.

AZ are without Jizz Hornkamp, Peer Koopmeiners and Denso Kasius through injury. Heerenveen miss goalkeeper Andries Noppert, while Amourrichio van Axel Dongen and Levi Smans are also sidelined. Hornkamp's absence removes a goalscoring option for the hosts, and Noppert's injury means continuity will be tested in goal for the visitors.

Across the season, AZ have averaged 52% possession with 81.86% passing accuracy and higher open-play cross accuracy than their opponents, which could encourage them to use the width. Heerenveen have scored more league goals than the hosts but have kept fewer clean sheets, suggesting an open contest. Troy Parrott is AZ's leading league scorer with 14, while Jacob Trenskow has 12 for the visitors. Heerenveen have also converted all four of their penalties.

A home win would strengthen AZ's grip on sixth in the qualification play-off places. Victory for Heerenveen would see the visitors leapfrog their hosts and tighten the scramble for those European berths.