- De Graafschap have won six of the last eight Eerste Divisie meetings with Jong AZ, including a 5-1 victory in February 2025.
- Jong AZ are a volatile team, but have rediscovered their rhythm after a shaky start, winning their last two home matches 4-0.
- De Graafschap’s attacking wide players are quick and possess enough craft to create multiple chances against Jong AZ’s pressing.
Jong AZ and De Graafschap matchup should be an open contest
The odds suggest a close game is expected for this Eerste Divisie clash on Monday, but our AZ Alkmaar Reserves vs De Graafschap prediction suggests there are enough variables in the equation to make an exact score guess less interesting than the Over 2.5 goals line. De Graafschap are the 2.30 favorites to win, with the hosts priced at 2.75 and the draw at 3.75.
Jong AZ are currently mid-table in the Eerste Divisie, having collected seven points from five games, while De Graafschap are 4th in the standings with 10 points from six matches. The visitors’ superior points haul is mostly down to their consistency in the opening weeks and not the quality of matches they have played. According to this AZ Alkmaar Reserves vs De Graafschap preview, they suffered an early-season loss to Excelsior, but have since recovered with a 4-1 away win over Roda JC and a 2-0 home victory against FC Eindhoven.
Marinus Dijkhuizen’s side have a 4-3-3 formation that plays at a high tempo, looking to press and win the ball back quickly in the first phase of possession. With wide men Ibrahim El Kadiri and Arjen van der Heide capable of playing at pace and possessing craft, they can be a threat to Jong AZ’s system, which relies on controlling the midfield with their own brand of intense pressing.
Back the goals in this Eerste Divisie encounter
AZ Alkmaar’s coach Lee-Roy Echteld has the team playing a similar 4-3-3 formation, but with a greater emphasis on possession and technical buildup. They can be a joy to watch when they play well, but the AZ Alkmaar Reserves vs De Graafschap prediction shows Jong AZ are also susceptible to giving up goals when the opponents play at a quick tempo and run at them directly.
There is a clear historical edge for De Graafschap in this fixture and there is no reason to think the trend will change on Monday. In terms of AZ Alkmaar Reserves vs De Graafschap betting tips, Reuven Niemeijer and Dimitrios Theodoridis are veteran attackers with the experience to know where the goal is and have contributed to the scoresheet.
However, the home team are on a roll, having hit their stride after conceding six goals in their opening three games. Lequincio Zeefuik has been a physical threat on the forward line while Kevin Toppenberg’s creativity has been key to their two recent wins.
Sem van Duijn and Yoël van den Ban have also chipped in with goals, so this is a team with a balanced and varied attacking threat. The weather forecast suggests the pitch will be slippery enough to allow the players to move the ball quickly, but not so greasy that they will be too out of control. Jong AZ have the possession and control, but De Graafschap can counter-attack with pace and quality in the final third. With the game likely to be open and end-to-end, the AZ Alkmaar Reserves vs De Graafschap prediction is that we will take Over 2.5 match goals in this game.
