Willem II vs Jong AZ - Eerste Divisie

The history between Willem II and Jong AZ lends this Eerste Divisie fixture an extra layer of spice, and when the two walk out at the home ground on April 17, 2026, recent encounters will be on everyone's mind. Why Manchester United face transfer dilemma with unexpected star of pre-season.

There is little to choose between Willem II and Jong AZ on paper, and the Eerste Divisie encounter should reflect that balance. The hosts will be looking to find their rhythm and put a run of results together. The visitors have been enduring a wretched campaign, DLWWL in their last five and a season win rate of just 0% that leaves them deep in trouble. The Saudi Pro League side have now placed a €45 million package on the table, while Watkins himself is understood to be open to making the move.

Set-piece efficiency and transition play often decide fixtures of this nature, and both managers will have been drilling those phases on the training ground. They were slightly found out against Amorim's Milan in pre-season, with the press not quite sharp enough - the fourth goal, in particular, came from just one ball over a high-lined defence.

Neither side is short on individuals capable of tilting the balance, and the duel between the two squads' chief creators could prove particularly pivotal. The wide areas will be a key battleground, with full-backs and wingers on either side capable of swinging the contest one way or the other. The defender has established himself as a promising prospect in Europe and is already turning plenty of heads.

Predicting an outright winner is no easy task given how little separates the two sides on paper. A share of the spoils looks the most probable outcome, with neither side holding a decisive edge — a 1-1 draw feels like a fitting result. With positions in the Eerste Divisie table to defend and momentum to chase, neither side can afford to leave anything in the tank. The Spaniard heading to Barca all but rules out a midfield departure from the Bernabeu and thus United will likely have to look elsewhere.