Eredivisie | Gameweek 33

May 14, 2025 at 7pm UK

De Grolsch Veste

FC Twente vs AZ

Match preview

Following their third-place finish in the 2023–24 campaign — the club's highest in a decade — Twente have struggled to reach the same heights this season. They will not be returning to the Champions League or Europa League next term, but they are still in contention for a place in the Conference League.

After a worrying run of five games without a win stretching from mid-March to the end of April, the Tukkers have started May with two consecutive victories, winning 2-0 at Sparta Rotterdam and at De Grolsch Veste against Utrecht.

Having collected a maximum six points from their last two league fixtures, Joseph Oosting's team have moved up to fifth in the Eredivisie standings, ahead of Wednesday's clash with AZ Alkmaar. They are eight points behind fourth-placed Utrecht, with only six points left to play for.

While the Tukkers are not challenging for the Dutch title, attacker Sem Steijn is on course to win the division's Golden Boot award. The talented 23-year-old has scored an impressive 24 goals in 31 Eredivisie appearances, nine more than his closest competitor.

Steijn and Twente have made De Grolsch Veste a relative fortress this season, losing just two of their 16 top-flight contests at the venue. However, both of those defeats occurred in recent months, including a 6-2 hammering at the hands of Feyenoord in March.

After finishing fourth in the Eredivisie in both 2023 and 2024, AZ Alkmaar are guaranteed a lower position this time around. However, there is still plenty at stake for Wednesday's visitors, who will be aiming to overtake Twente and secure a spot in the Conference League.

De Kaasboeren recently endured a nine-game winless run across the top flight, KNVB Cup and Europa League, but have since enjoyed two 3-0 victories, triumphing over Go Ahead Eagles on 4 May and Groningen at home on Sunday afternoon.

AZ Alkmaar are currently aiming to extend their top-flight unbeaten run to four matches on Wednesday night. They are currently in sixth place in the Eredivisie rankings, one place and one point below hosts Twente. This means that the winner of this contest will end the night in fifth place.

Having lost just four of their 16 away matches this season, De Kaasboeren are a solid unit on the road. Earlier in the month, they enjoyed their biggest away victory since August, with standout moments coming from Wouter Goes and Jayden Addai in a 3-0 win at De Adelaarshorst versus Go Ahead.

The last four meetings between Twente and AZ Alkmaar have all been won by the home team. The last time the away side won this fixture was in March 2022, when Joshua Brenet's second-half strike was enough for Twente to win at AFAS Stadion.

Recent Performance

FC Twente Eredivisie form:LDDLWW

AZ Alkmaar Eredivisie form:DLLDWW

AZ Alkmaar form (all competitions):LLLDWW

Team News

Twente will still be without Sam Lammers, who dislocated his shoulder in April and will miss the rest of the season. The Tukkers are also unable to call upon Taylor Booth, who is recovering from an injury sustained in March.

AZ Alkmaar are likely to be without their top goalscorer, Troy Parrott, who is struggling with a groin injury.

The visitors' options in midfield are limited by fitness issues affecting Jordy Clasie and Kristijan Belic, who are dealing with calf and rib problems respectively.

Young goalkeeper Sem Westerveld remains unavailable, so Rome Owusu-Oduro and Hobie Verhulst will cover for AZ in goal.

Possible starting lineup

FC Twente possible starting lineup:

Unnerstall; Van Rooij, Hilgers, Van Hoorenbeeck, Kuipers; Kjolo, Sadilek, Rots, Steijn, Vlap; Van Wolfswinkel

AZ Alkmaar possible starting lineup:

Owusu-Oduro; Kasius, Dekker, Penetra, Moller Wolfe; Smit, Koopmeiners; Poku, Mijnans, Van Bommel; Meerdink