AZ Alkmaar face Go Ahead Eagles in a key Eredivisie match at the AFAS Stadion on Saturday, 29 August at 18:45. This fourth-round fixture of the 2026/2027 season pits the league leaders against the team in third place. Both sides have made a strong start to the season.
AZ Alkmaar have begun the season perfectly with three wins from three games. The Alkmaar side top the table with nine points and a goal difference of 8-1. They hold a two-point lead over PSV Eindhoven. Pascal Jansen's team opened the campaign with a 2-0 win over ADO Den Haag, thanks to goals from Ro-Zangelo Daal and Calvin Stengs. This was followed by an impressive 4-1 away victory at FC Utrecht, with Peer Koopmeiners, Weslley Patati, Mexx Meerdink and Ayoub Oufkir on the scoresheet. Notably, their first six league goals were scored by six different players.
Go Ahead Eagles started the season unbeaten. The Deventer side are third with four points from two matches and a goal difference of 6-3. They won their opener 4-1 against Willem II, with Søren Tengstedt, Melle Meulensteen, Erik Hovden Flataker and Julius Dirksen scoring. Then, under new manager Joseph Oosting who signed a two-year deal, they came back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Feyenoord in Rotterdam. Tengstedt and Stefán Ingi Sigurðarson got the equalisers. Tengstedt has scored in both of the Eagles' opening league appearances.
For AZ, the return of Jordy Clasie and Jizz Hornkamp to the squad is a boost. Hornkamp is gradually increasing his workload after several months out injured. Clasie was ready to play against Fortuna Sittard but not to start, leading to a significant role for Dave Kwakman. A notable new signing is Jari De Busser, who joined from Go Ahead Eagles this summer on a contract until mid-2031. He started against FC Utrecht.
At Go Ahead Eagles, Joris Kramer extended his contract until 2029. He played on loan for the Eagles from AZ during the 2020/2021 season. Before the season started, Gerrit Nauber, Robbin Weijenberg and Pim Saathof were ruled out injured. A new detailed list of absentees was not provided on 21 August.
Both league meetings between AZ and Go Ahead Eagles ended in draws last season. The match on 7 December 2025 at the AFAS Stadion finished 2-2, with Melle Meulensteen scoring both goals for the Eagles. The return fixture in Deventer on 23 April 2026 ended 0-0. AZ assistant coach Leeroy Echteld praised the team's development and maturity after the win in Utrecht.
It promises to be a compelling clash between two teams in excellent form. AZ, with their strong home record and spread of goalscorers, will look to consolidate their position at the top. Their third-round match at Fortuna Sittard and Go Ahead Eagles' fixture against ADO Den Haag a day later will further shape both teams' momentum. The Eagles have shown resilience, as seen against Feyenoord where they stated they "also had chances late on to complete the turnaround". AZ will be without the departed Troy Parrott, who joined Real Betis on 20 August. Fans can check the full schedule and current table on our fixtures and standings pages. The focus now is on maintaining a perfect start to the season.
