ERIK SAYS :

SC Heerenveen v AZ Alkmaar,
Football: Netherlands, Eredivisie 2009/2010
Sunday, 23rd August 2009 - Kickoff 14:30 CET

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SC Heerenveen will host AZ Alkmaar on Sunday looking for revenge after their humiliating 5-1 defeat in the Dutch Super Cup earlier this season.

SC Heerenveen (10th - Record : 1-1-1 2:4)

SC Heerenveen grabbed their first win of the season at home to Vitesse with Losada (att) scoring his first competition goal for SC Heerenveen.

After thirteen minutes in the first half the new signing opened the score with the hosts looking for their first win of the season after drawing against Roda JC (0-0) and losing 4-1 on the road to NEC.

Once again SC Heerenveen did not manage to impress with Vitesse creating a handful of chances to level the score and team manager Sollied remains the favorite among the bookmakers in the sacking race of the Eredivisie.

The hosts will once again have several players missing with goalkeepers Vandenbussche (gk) and Steppe (gk) remaining sidelined. Elm (mid), Smarason (mid) and Djuric (def) are also not expected to play.

Heerenveen players also have had a busy midweek, as they had to play a midweek game in Greece for the Europa League on Thursday - drawing 1-1 with PAOK Salonika.

AZ Alkmaar (5th - Record : 2-0-1 10:3)

AZ Alkmaar recovered from their poor start of the season by winning their last two games against Sparta (2-0) and RKC Waalwijk (0-6).

However, the game against SC Heerenveen will be the second real test of the season with RKC Waalwijk not giving any resistance last week allowing AZ to pick up a huge win.

With El Hamdaoui (att) opening the score fifteen minutes into the first half it took until the second half for AZ to get their second goal. Dembele (att) doubled the lead for the visitors and two goals from Martens (att), an own goal from RKC Waalwijk and a goal from substitute Lens (att) led AZ to a comfortable 0-6 win.

Team manager Koeman is expected to field the same eleven players on Sunday with Swerts (def) and Pelle (att) still sitting out a suspension after their red card against Heracles Almelo in the opening game of the season. Substitute Van der Velden (att) will most likely remain sidelined with a knee injury.

The Betting Verdict

AZ seems to be back on track and despite the fact RKC Waalwijk failed to put any pressure on AZ in their last game, the team seems to be creating chances easily.

Dembele (att), Martens (att) and El Hamdaoui (att) have found their scoring ways again and after the 5-1 win over SC Heerenveen earlier this season, confidence and quality should be enough to pick up three points in Heerenveen at odds above evens.

SC Heerenveen had to play a midweek game in Greece on Thursday, andthat may tell on the legs as well.

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take AZ Alkmaar to win (Stake 5/10)