**AZ Alkmaar are here to make a statement, and Telstar just might be the perfect warm-up.** The hosts are rolling with three wins in five, while the visitors are stuck in neutral — no victories in their last five outings. 🔴

AZ have beaten Telstar twice in a row without conceding, and they're clearly the side with momentum. Telstar's draws against Heerenveen and Cambuur show some resilience, but back-to-back losses to Twente and Sunderland's conquerors suggest they'll struggle against a fired-up Alkmaar outfit at AFAS.

Key storylines:

- **AZ's attacking momentum**: Recent wins over Heerenveen (3-2) prove they can put bodies in the box and finish — Telstar's porous defence will be tested early.
- **Telstar's defensive shape**: With only 2 draws in 5, they need **Koeman Jr** between the sticks to have the game of his life.
- **Midfield control**: **Koopmeiners** and **Daal** will dictate tempo; Telstar's **Hardeveld** and **Owusu** have to stay compact or get overrun.

Expected lineups:

- **AZ Alkmaar**: De Busser, Schouten, Goes, Dijkstra, Chávez, Koopmeiners, Daal, Meerdink, Kwakman, Patati, Hornkamp
- **SC Telstar**: Koeman Jr, Peersman, Soualhia, Valk, Alders, Hardeveld, Owusu, Rossen, Demircan, Seedorf, Mendes

Prediction:

**AZ Alkmaar 3-0 SC Telstar.** Home side's edge is massive here — lean AZ to dominate. 🎯