Ajax and AZ Alkmaar Set for Close Contest at Johan Cruijff Arena

Ajax vs AZ Alkmaar - 10/31/2026

10/26/2026 146

Momentum collides with history as Ajax host AZ Alkmaar in what shapes up as a pivotal Eredivisie showdown. Both sides have displayed promise in their league campaigns, ensuring that even subtle details may play a major role in shaping the result at the Johan Cruijff Arena.

Ajax’s current form has placed them second in the Eredivisie standings, boasting 6 wins, 3 draws, and just 1 loss from their opening 10 matches. A haul of 29 goals and a positive goal difference of 16 highlights their offensive firepower, with an average of 2.9 goals scored per match offering a clear statement of intent.

Yet, their home form against AZ Alkmaar deserves scrutiny. In their last six meetings at home versus AZ, Ajax have managed just a single win, sharing the spoils twice and succumbing to defeat on three occasions. It is a record that the visitors will be eager to draw inspiration from.

Reviewing Ajax’s latest six matches in all competitions reveals a largely positive trend: three wins, two draws and only one loss, with an average of 2.17 goals scored and 1.33 conceded per game. Their control of matches is best illustrated by an average of 61.5% possession and nearly 20 shots per outing. That influence is even greater on their own turf, with 24 total shots and 67.7% possession over their last three home matches. Defensively, they’ve conceded just once per game across that recent home stretch.

Nevertheless, when zooming out to league-only figures, Ajax have gone winless in 8 of their last 10 Eredivisie home matches and finished with draws in 50% of their last 12. Still, they remain undefeated in 12 of their last 15 home league contests and have won by two goals or more in 7 of their last 18 appearances at home.

AZ Alkmaar, currently fifth, own a similar league record to Ajax with 6 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses. Their goal statistics are slightly more modest, with 20 scored and 12 conceded, giving them an 8-goal positive margin.

Recent form for AZ Alkmaar features a mixed bag: three wins, a draw, and two losses in their last six matches. They’ve averaged 1.5 goals for and 1.17 against, while maintaining 59% average possession. When away from home, the team has been tough to beat, undefeated in 8 of their last 10 away fixtures, and notching 5 wins. In league play, they’re unbeaten in 83% of their last 12, and have kept four clean sheets in their past ten outings on the road.

Head-to-head results further underline the competitive nature of this fixture. Draws have cropped up regularly, with each of the last four encounters seeing the sides level on two occasions. However, in the last three meetings, Ajax have twice lost by a margin of two or more goals to AZ Alkmaar, indicating that the visitors are unafraid of asserting themselves in this matchup.

Both teams have been forced to cope with key injuries. Ajax will be without Daley Blind, Steven Berghuis, Kasper Dolberg, Caio Henrique, Anton Gaaei, Simon Adingra, and Oliver Edvardsen. For AZ Alkmaar, Stije Resink, Valdemar Byskov Andreasen, Kees Smit, Jizz Hornkamp, Jordy Clasie, and Wouter Goes are sidelined, which complicates squad selection and may prompt tactical tweaks for both coaches.

Based on the most frequent lineups and considering availability, the probable starting elevens are:

Ajax

Goalkeeper: Marc ter Stegen

Defenders: Lucas Rosa, Owen Wijndal, Thilo Kehrer, Youri Baas

Midfielders: Sofyan Amrabat, Julian Brandt, Jorthy Mokio

Attackers: Viktor Tsygankov, Oscar Gloukh, Tolu Arokodare

AZ Alkmaar

Goalkeeper: Jari De Busser

Defenders: Lewis Schouten, Mateo Chávez, Elijah Dijkstra, Wesley Hoedt

Midfielders: Peer Koopmeiners, Ro-Zangelo Daal, Calvin Stengs, Weslley Patati, Dave Kwakman

Attackers: Mexx Meerdink

Both teams demonstrate a progressive style, reflected in high shot counts and significant possession metrics. Ajax are enjoying a strong undefeated streak across competitions, being unbeaten in 87% of their last 15 Eredivisie matches, while AZ are similarly reliable with only one loss in their previous 12 league outings.

Statistically, this fixture leans towards equality, supported by a prediction of a draw at a probability of 41%. With no shortage of attacking flair and history of close results, a 2-2 outcome could be within reach if trends prevail.

Home team
Away team

Probability %

1X2

Pred

Correct score

Avg. goals

Weather conditions

Coef.

Score

Live
coef.

Nl1

Ajax AZ Alkmaar 31/10/2026 22:00

324127

X2-2

2 - 2

3.09

48°F

+320

-139 +320 +290 no no no

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