🔥 Our Hot tip

Troy Parrott to score anytime

Parrott is the Eredivisie's second highest scorer this season.

AZ Alkmaar, unbeaten in 12, welcome struggling Sparta Rotterdam to the AFAS Stadium on Sunday afternoon, with both looking for their first Eredivisie win of 2025. Read on for our AZ Alkmaar vs Sparta Rotterdam predictions and more.

AZ Alkmaar vs Sparta Rotterdam prediction: We expect AZ to win again – Photo by Imago/Ed van de Pol

AZ Alkmaar vs Sparta Rotterdam prediction: AZ to continue European push

Key Stats:

  • AZ Alkmaar are unbeaten in 12 matches.
  • Sparta Rotterdam have no wins in their last 10, and are without a clean sheet in 20.
  • AZ have only scored six in their last five, Sparta have scored just four.

Correct score prediction: AZ Alkmaar 2-0 Sparta Rotterdam

Sparta Rotterdam are not dead and buried quite yet, and are just three points from safety. However, they are showing few signs of life at present, and are unable to keep a clean sheet.

Their hosts have not been in spectacular form, but have become very hard to beat in recent months. We only see one winner in this one.

Pre-game odds and win probability: AZ Alkmaar are likely winners

  • HOME: 3/5 – 62.50%
  • DRAW: 3/1 – 25.00%
  • AWAY: 9/2 – 18.20%

*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change

AZ Alkmaar are the bookmakers' expected winner in this clash, with their 3/5 odds giving an implied 62.50% chance of victory. We are inclined to agree.

In any case, if you want to check out more predictions, take a look at our favourite betting tips for today.

Most recent H2Hs: AZ in control

AZ have had the better of this fixture in recent seasons, with their last five meetings resulting in three wins, a draw and just one defeat.

We think their grip over this fixture will only tighten in this clash.

Netherlands Eredivisie 24/11/24

Sparta Rotterdam

Sparta Rotterdam

1
AZ

AZ

2

Netherlands Eredivisie 02/03/24

Sparta Rotterdam

Sparta Rotterdam

1
AZ

AZ

1

Netherlands Eredivisie 17/09/23

AZ

AZ

2
Sparta Rotterdam

Sparta Rotterdam

0

Netherlands Eredivisie 08/04/23

AZ

AZ

0
Sparta Rotterdam

Sparta Rotterdam

1

Netherlands Eredivisie 14/08/22

Sparta Rotterdam

Sparta Rotterdam

2
AZ

AZ

3

AZ Alkmaar preview: A demanding start to 2025

AZ ended 2024 with a run of six wins and two draws in their last eight matches. 2025 has not been kind so far, with matches against champions PSV, Ajax, high-flying Utrecht and Roma.

But De Kaasboeren have held their own, with two draws and two wins. We think they will relish the chance to express themselves against some weaker opposition.

Predicted lineup: Owusu-Oduro (GK), Maikuma, Penetra, Goes, Moller-Wolfe, Clasie, Koopmeiners, Poku, Mijnans, Lahdo, Parrott

Netherlands Eredivisie 11/05/25

W

FC Groningen

FC Groningen

0

AZ

AZ

3

Netherlands Eredivisie 04/05/25

W

Go Ahead Eagles

Go Ahead Eagles

0

AZ

AZ

3

Netherlands Eredivisie 24/04/25

D

NAC

NAC

1

AZ

AZ

1

Netherlands Cup 21/04/25

L

Go Ahead Eagles

Go Ahead Eagles

1 (4)

AZ

AZ

1 (2)

Netherlands Eredivisie 13/04/25

L

Heracles

Heracles

1

AZ

AZ

0

Sparta Rotterdam preview: Desperate for a win

Sparta look a cut above fellow strugglers Almere and Waalwijk, but have been unable to convert tight matches into wins.

The Rotterdammers have only actually lost two of their last five, but have remained winless. Their last league win came all the way back in September.

Sparta have actually lost fewer matches than ninth-placed NAC Breda.

Surely their luck will turn soon, but we don't think that will happen against a strong AZ side.

Predicted lineup: Olij (GK), Bakari, Eerdhuijzen, Meissen, van Aanholt, Clement, Kitolano, Neghli, Verschueren, Mito, Lauritsen

Netherlands Eredivisie 10/05/25

W

Almere City FC

Almere City FC

0

Sparta Rotterdam

Sparta Rotterdam

3

Netherlands Eredivisie 04/05/25

L

FC Twente

FC Twente

2

Sparta Rotterdam

Sparta Rotterdam

0

Netherlands Eredivisie 27/04/25

D

Ajax

Ajax

1

Sparta Rotterdam

Sparta Rotterdam

1

Netherlands Eredivisie 12/04/25

W

Heerenveen

Heerenveen

1

Sparta Rotterdam

Sparta Rotterdam

3

Netherlands Eredivisie 06/04/25

W

NEC

NEC

0

Sparta Rotterdam

Sparta Rotterdam

2


William Evans is a football and politics fanatic. A first-class graduate of UEA's Broadcast and Digital Journalism MA course, he also achieved a first class degree in politics and media studies during his time at UEA.