FC Utrecht vs AZ preview

Netherlands flag 2026/2027 Eredivisie, Netherlands
Stadion Galgenwaard Sat, 15 Aug - 4:45 PM
Eredivisie
FC UtrechtUTR
AZAZ
KICKOFF : Sat, 15 Aug - 4:45 PM
Round 2 Regular Season

CONTEXT

In the Eredivisie regular season of 2026/2027, FC Utrecht welcome AZ to Stadion Galgenwaard for a league encounter. AZ arrives as the stronger side according to power metrics, posting 80.31 against Utrecht's 75.72 and securing a 4.6 point edge overall. League positions reflect this gap, with AZ sitting fourth domestically while Utrecht occupy twelfth place. Form scores stand at zero for both sides, and no recent outing details are recorded ahead of kickoff. The fixture pits a mid-table host against a top-four challenger in what shapes up as a structured contest between contrasting league standings and underlying team strengths.

TL;DR

  • Structural: AZ holds a 4.6 point power score advantage over FC Utrecht with respective scores of 80.31 and 75.72.
  • Form: Both teams enter with form scores of zero and no last outing data available.
  • Squad: No specific squad details are listed for either side in the provided data.
  • Efficiency: Efficiency metrics are not available for this fixture.
  • Transition: Transition play data is unavailable in the provided information.
  • Set pieces: Set piece data shows low confidence with proxy used for both teams.
  • xVariable: AZ is identified as the stronger team with a power advantage in the matchup.
  • Market: Baseline split: FC Utrecht 0% (Δ+0%) | Draw 0% (Δ+0%) | AZ 0% (Δ+0%).
No standings statistics available.
No head-to-head records found.
0.5+ goals: 85%
1.5+ goals: 70%
2.5+ goals: 50%
3.5+ goals: 25%
Confidence: High (≥8 matches)

Quality vs Volume

Home: xG 1.8, Shots 12, xG/Shot 0.15
Away: xG 1.5, Shots 14, xG/Shot 0.11

Open Play vs Set Play

Open Play: 65%
Set Play: 35%

Expected Points

TeamxPts
Home1.8
Away1.2
ℹ️ Methodology: Expected Goals (xG) measures shot quality
Jan 25 vs Team A
Feb 1 vs Team B
Feb 8 vs Team C
FC Utrecht A. Correia
A. Correia
VS
AZ L. Echteld
L. Echteld
1.93
Avg Points / Game (Last 100 Matches)
1.58
2.17 i
Last 6 Opponents
FC Groningen Rank: 70 L
Ajax Rank: 81 D
SC Heerenveen Rank: 73 W
Fortuna Sittard Rank: 66 W
Ajax Rank: 81 W
NAC Breda Rank: 60 W
Avg Points / Game (Last 6 Matches)
1.67 i
Last 6 Opponents
ADO Den Haag Rank: 65 W
NAC Breda Rank: 60 D
Feyenoord Rank: 82 D
FC Twente Rank: 79 D
Go Ahead Eagles Rank: 71 D
SC Heerenveen Rank: 73 W
2
Head to Head (Wins - Draws - Losses)
2 - 1 - 1
1
No sidelined player data available.

Team Power Ranking

i
What is Power Ranking?
Power ranking is SportMonks' model-based team strength indicator. Historical input capped to 2 seasons.
75.72
80.31
0 (Weakest) 100 (Strongest)
Metric
FC Utrecht
AZ
Power Score
75.72
80.31
League Position
12
4
Global Rank
151
83

Form Analysis Opponent-Weighted

Line chart of recent results (points/trend). Friendlies excluded by default. Hover for opponent, result, xG/xGA and power ranking — based on last 6 matches.

–
vs
FC Utrecht — Opponent-weighted form score
AZ — Opponent-weighted form score
Win (3 pts) Draw (1 pt) Loss (0 pts) FC Utrecht AZ

Team Head to Head Last 6 Seasons

Summary of 4 matches between these sides — filtered by competition and venue context.

FC Utrecht UTR Home
4 matches
AZ AZ Away
Match Record
2
Wins
1
1
Draws
1
1
Losses
2
Goals
5
Goals Scored
5
5
Goals Conceded
5
0
Goal Difference
0
Expected Goals
0
xG
0
0
xGA
0

Data last updated: 2026-08-12T00:21:33+00:00

STARTING XI - EXPECTED

Match Formation 4-3-3
Match Formation 4-2-3-1
Pitch

General Information

Date & Time
Aug 15, 2026, 04:45 PM
Competition
2026/2027 Eredivisie, Netherlands · Round 2 · Regular Season
Stadium
Stadion Galgenwaard
Capacity
23750
Pitch Surface
Grass
Weather
☀️ 12°C, Fair
Referees
Danny Desmond Makkelie
Jan de Vries
Michael Osseweijer
Wouter Wiersma

Expected Lineup

Referee : Danny Desmond Makkelie

Starting XI ▼

25
Michael Brouwer
Michael Brouwer Goalkeeper
6.84
9
David Min
David Min Centre Forward
6.62
11
Ángel Alarcón
Ángel Alarcón Attacker
5.77
10
Yoann Cathline
Yoann Cathline Attacker
6.49
23
Niklas Vesterlund
Niklas Vesterlund Right Back
7.12
2
Siebe Horemans
Siebe Horemans Right Back
6.62
44
Mike Eerdhuijzen
Mike Eerdhuijzen Left Back
6.45
12
Arthur Zagré
Arthur Zagré Left Back
7.17
20
Dani de Wit
Dani de Wit Central Midfield
6.64
8
Joris van Overeem
Joris van Overeem Central Midfield
6.7
53
Ferdinand Pohl
Ferdinand Pohl Central Midfield
6.48
Referee : Danny Desmond Makkelie

Starting XI ▼

28
Jari De Busser
Jari De Busser Goalkeeper
6.74
35
Mexx Meerdink
Mexx Meerdink Centre Forward
6.84
16
Lewis Schouten
Lewis Schouten Left Back
7.32
15
Mateo Chávez
Mateo Chávez Left Back
6.73
21
Dave Kwakman
Dave Kwakman Defensive Midfield
7.04
6
Peer Koopmeiners
Peer Koopmeiners Defensive Midfield
7.3
7
Weslley Patati
Weslley Patati Right Wing
7.19
10
Kees Smit
Kees Smit Attacking Midfield
7.24
3
Wouter Goes
Wouter Goes Right Back
6.89
11
Ro-Zangelo Daal
Ro-Zangelo Daal Left Wing
7.38
22
Elijah Dijkstra
Elijah Dijkstra Right Back
6.75

CONCLUSION

AZ carries the clearer structural edge into this Eredivisie meeting through superior power metrics and a higher domestic standing. Utrecht will look to leverage home conditions at Stadion Galgenwaard to offset the visitor's overall advantage. With form indicators at zero and efficiency details absent, the contest may hinge on how each side manages available resources on the day. Set piece elements carry low confidence ratings, suggesting limited reliance on those phases for either team. The matchup offers an opportunity for the higher-placed side to assert control while the hosts seek to close the positional gap through organized play.