AZ Alkmaar vs ADO Den Haag - Eredivisie

All eyes turn to the home ground on August 8, 2026 as AZ Alkmaar welcome ADO Den Haag in a Eredivisie encounter that promises tension, intrigue and no shortage of subplot. That coronation came from City's £116m summer signing Elliot Anderson - and has been hotly debated in the build-up to the Manchester derby Super Sunday showdown at Old Trafford, which you can watch live on Sky Sports.

Positionally there is a clear hierarchy: AZ Alkmaar sit 2nd, ADO Den Haag lie 18th, but the Eredivisie has a habit of defying such logic. AZ Alkmaar are operating at a remarkable level, their DWWWW run and a season win rate of 83.33% placing them among the Eredivisie's very best. ADO Den Haag are in the midst of a slump, LLDLL over their last five and a paltry win rate of 0% summing up their struggles. Where AZ Alkmaar have leaned on defensive discipline, ADO Den Haag have often taken the initiative going forward, and that stylistic difference should shape the contest. During his 22 matches in charge, Oxford actually ranked as high as 14th in the table.

Stylistically, this is a compelling matchup. AZ Alkmaar favour a patient, possession-based approach, whereas ADO Den Haag are at their most dangerous when allowed to hit quickly on the counter. Every word from Enzo Maresca's press conference including Man City team news and Manchester derby admission.

The fixture features no shortage of talent, and the league's top marksman G. Zechiël — 5 goals this term — will be one to watch. Discipline at the back and sharpness in front of goal will likely tilt the balance one way or the other. It was all one-way traffic in the first half for Andoni Iraola's side as Luke Chambers and the returning Florian Wirtz put Liverpool into a two-goal lead.

The market has yet to form a strong view, and the contest looks genuinely difficult to call. Given the balance of the numbers, AZ Alkmaar should have enough to edge it — a 3-1 victory looks the most likely outcome. The ramifications of this result could ripple through the Eredivisie standings for weeks to come, regardless of who comes out on top. In terms of outgoings, Perri seems closest to an exit, but that will likely have to wait until Trafford's mandated holiday after the World Cup is over or a No 2 arrives.