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It’s easy to look at the Eredivisie table and assume you know exactly how Go Ahead Eagles vs AZ Alkmaar is going to go. On paper, it’s the classic story of a top-tier European contender visiting a historic, gritty club from Deventer. But if you’ve actually watched these two play lately, you know that the "big club vs. small club" narrative is basically dead.
Honestly, the matches between these two have turned into some of the most unpredictable 90 minutes in Dutch football. We’re currently in the thick of the 2025/26 season, and the most recent clash in December was a perfect example of why this fixture is so stressful for fans. They played out a wild 2-2 draw at the AFAS Stadion that felt more like a basketball game than a tactical chess match.
What Actually Happened in the December Clash?
Most people expected AZ Alkmaar to steamroll at home. They didn't. Instead, Melle Meulensteen decided to have the game of his life for Go Ahead Eagles, scoring twice and generally making a nuisance of himself.
Troy Parrott, who has been a revelation for AZ this season, grabbed a header to keep things level, but the game was defined by chaos—including a Mats Deijl own goal that briefly gave AZ the lead. It’s that kind of fixture. You think you’ve seen the momentum swing, and then someone like Joris Kramer pops up with a pinpoint assist to level it again.
Why the Tactical Gap is Closing
Historically, AZ Alkmaar has dominated this. They have 11 wins to Go Ahead Eagles’ lone victory in recent history. But look at the last few scores:
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- December 2025: 2-2 Draw
- April 2025 (KNVB Beker): 1-1 Draw (AZ won on pens)
- October 2024: 2-2 Draw
Notice a pattern? These teams are tied together by a string of stalemates. Melvin Boel, the man in charge at Deventer right now, has leaned into a 4-2-3-1 system that focuses on hitting through balls and exploiting the middle of the park. They aren't scared anymore.
Under the new era of Andreas Janssen at AZ, the Alkmaar side is trying to be more aggressive and possession-heavy. They’ve even brought in Mark van Bommel as an assistant to add some elite-level grit to the coaching staff. Yet, even with big-money signings like Matvey Kislyak and the clinical finishing of Parrott, they can't seem to shake the Eagles.
The De Adelaarshorst Factor
The next time they meet is April 23, 2026. This one is at De Adelaarshorst. If you haven't been there, it’s a tight, loud, 10,000-seat pressure cooker. It’s the kind of place where technical superiority often goes to die because the fans are practically on top of the pitch.
Go Ahead Eagles are currently sitting around 12th or 13th in the table, while AZ is fighting for those European spots in the top 6. The stakes couldn't be more different. For AZ, it’s about justifying their budget and their status. For the Eagles, it’s about survival and the sheer joy of ruining a giant's weekend.
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Players to Watch Closely
Keep an eye on Milan Smit. He’s been the top scorer for Go Ahead this year, and his ability to find space when the defense switches off is vital. On the other side, Kees Smit (no relation, obviously) is the wonderkid everyone is talking about at AZ. There are even rumors that super-agent Jorge Mendes is involved in his future.
Troy Parrott remains the most dangerous man on the pitch, though. He’s coming off a massive hat-trick against Ajax in the cup earlier this month, and his confidence is probably through the roof. If the Eagles' defense—led by Joris Kramer—can't track his movement in the box, it could be a long afternoon for the home side.
Go Ahead Eagles vs AZ Alkmaar: The Betting and Fan Perspective
If you’re looking at the odds, the bookies will almost always favor AZ. They have the deeper squad, the European pedigree, and the higher-valued players. But "Both Teams to Score" (BTTS) has been hitting like a drum lately. In their last five meetings, four have seen both sides find the net.
The Eagles have a weird weakness: they are terrible at avoiding offsides and struggle against skillful individual players. AZ, with players like Ernest Poku and Sven Mijnans, is designed to exploit exactly that. However, Go Ahead has a "Strong" rating for coming back from losing positions. You can never turn the TV off early when these two play.
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What Most People Get Wrong
People think Go Ahead Eagles are just a "long ball" team. They aren't. Under Boel, they actually try to play through the lines. They lead the league in some weird stats, like being awarded the most penalties earlier this season. They are crafty.
AZ Alkmaar, conversely, is often labeled as just a "development" club. While they do produce talent like Kees Smit, the 2026 version of this team is much more "win now." Bringing in Jizz Hornkamp from Heracles in the winter transfer window shows they are desperate for more veteran firepower.
The Realistic Outlook for April 2026
When the Go Ahead Eagles vs AZ Alkmaar match kicks off in April, expect a war of attrition. AZ will control about 60% of the ball. They will pass short, rotate their front three, and try to overwhelm the Eagles' fullbacks.
The Eagles will sit in, wait for a mistake, and then launch a through ball to Mathis Suray or Milan Smit. It’s a simple plan, but as the recent 2-2 draws show, it’s a plan that works.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
- Watch the Wingers: AZ’s Isak Jensen and Ibrahim Sadiq are the keys. If they can pin the Eagles' fullbacks deep, Go Ahead won't be able to counter-attack effectively.
- Monitor the Injury List: Keep an eye on Seiya Maikuma and Jordy Clasie. AZ struggles with midfield control when Clasie is out.
- Home vs Away Dynamics: Go Ahead has only lost one home league game recently where the attendance topped 10,000. The crowd matters.
- Set Piece Vulnerability: Both teams have shown a tendency to fall asleep during corners. Joris Kramer’s aerial ability could be the difference-maker for a late Eagles winner.
Don't expect a clean sheet. History says someone is going to score, and likely someone you didn't expect. Whether it’s another Meulensteen masterclass or a Parrott clinical finish, this fixture has officially moved out of the "boring" category. Check the lineups an hour before kickoff; if AZ starts their full youth-focused midfield, the Eagles might just have the physical edge needed to finally take all three points in Deventer.