ADO Den Haag vs AZ Alkmaar
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Today’s secondary featured game is the Dutch Eredivisie game between ADO Den Haag and AZ Alkmaar.
Although their home record is impressive, ADO Den Haag’s run can’t last forever. They’re not the same side without van der Brom at the helm and it shows, really. There’s still lots of pluck and tenacity in their ranks, as well as their desire to score goals. However, that tactical edge and just a hint of motivation is missing without him there and you can see that they’re a lot less impressive this season as a result. Don’t get me wrong here – there are still good players at ADO Den Haag, the best of which was arguably Wesley Verhoek. However, the talented attacker has elected to leave the club for Twente Enschede in the past couple of weeks so he won’t be playing today, which is a blow. Additionally, both regular defender Leeuwin and arising attacker van Duinen miss out here and that does leave ADO Den Haag a little short here. Their other Verhoek is a threat up front, especially with Vicento and Luksik supporting. However, they’re a bit prone at the back as it is and thus the absence of Leeuwin is not a welcome one. ADO Den Haag have a nasty habit of conceding stupid goals and that’s been exemplified since returning from the winter break with a 3-3 draw against Roda JC Kerkrade. They can still attack and score goals but that’s their only weapon and without some key players up front, I think even their favoured attack will struggle here.
I don’t normally take AZ Alkmaar away from home due to a lack of trust but I’m going to stick my neck out here. True enough, they’ve parted with battling Pontus Wernbloom during the transfer window and thus they look pretty damn ordinary whenever his compatriot Rasmus Elm is absent from the middle of the park. However, we still have a strong starting eleven and I can’t overlook that here. If we get down to the bare bones of AZ’s squad then you’ll see the weakness but with their current crop, there’s enough there for me to be interested in taking them here. I like the option of Altidore up front, as I feel he’s been an underrated striker for years. He’s got some lethal partners, too, with Gundmunsson and Beerens supporting him. Again, AZ are a shade lightweight in terms of depth and occasionally concede daft goals on the road but this is a goalscoring side and with no notable absentees tonight, I have to favour them to overcome their inferior hosts.
ADO Den Haag are never an easy side to face away from home but with their key absentees and the superiority of AZ, I think there’s some value to be squeezed out of the away win at 4/5 although I’d leave it if it drops – not many sides are worthy of less than that at ADO Den Haag and AZ are no exception.
Verdict: AZ Alkmaar to win at 4/5.
Wednesday’s Picks
My tips:
Asteras Tripolis vs Levadiakos – home win at 4/5.
I’m loving these odds! Asteras Tripolis are a good home side and that’s not only reflected in this season’s statistics. They’re compact, hard-working, and feisty – never an easy combination to play against. If there was any criticism to be said of this side then it’s that they don’t score enough of their chances. However, when they do have a lead, they tend to hold it and that impresses me. They’ve won three out of their last four games in the Super League and they’ve kept four clean sheets over their last six Super League games. They’re very good at controlling games, Asteras Tripolis, and they owe a great deal of that to their Spanish contingent in midfield. There’s bags of experience in this side and an experienced display today should see them net another three points in this game.
Visitors Levadiakos are alright at home but pretty dismal away from home. They’ve already lost five out of eight on the road in the Super League this season and whilst averaging scoring less than a goal per away game whilst conceding nearly two goals per away game, it doesn’t bode well for Levadiakos today. They bring some momentum into this game following their superb victory against Panathinaikos in the last round of fixtures, although how much was actually down to them is questionable given the horrendous state of their pitch. Nonetheless, they’ll be confident here and that should make it at least a relatively interesting game.
That said, I just don’t think they’re good enough to match Asteras Tripolis today. I don’t think Levadiakos have the experience nor the quality to do so and their only hope should realistically be a 0-0 draw. With big Perrone leading the line, though, I fancy the hosts to win today at 4/5.
Verdict: Asteras Tripolis to win at 4/5.
As ever, if there are any explanations required then please feel free to post a comment! For the remainder of my thoughts on today’s games, see below, although I feel compelled to write that the below are not necessarily my tips but merely my thoughts to prevent endless questions about my thoughts on certain games!
African Nations:
Zambia vs Ghana (6) 1-2
Ivory Coast vs Mali (7) 2-0
Copa Libertadores:
Nacional Asuncion vs Cruz Azul (5) 2-1
Union Espanola vs Atletico Junior Barranquilla (7) 2-0
Vasco da Gama vs Club Nacional de Montevideo (4) 1-1, at least one red card in this game
English FA Cup:
Middlesbrough vs Sunderland (6) 0-1
Greek Super League:
Asteras Tripolis vs Levadiakos (7) 2-0
Panaitolikos vs Doxa Dramas (7) 2-0
Italian Serie A:
Catania vs AS Roma (5) 1-1
Dutch Eredivisie:
ADO Den Haag vs AZ Alkmaar (6) 1-2
Scottish Premier League:
Hearts vs Celtic (7) 0-1
Enjoy your free betting tips!