[(AZ Alkmaar) Strength]:
1. AZ Alkmaar finished 5th in the Eredivisie last season, securing a Conference League spot. They aim to qualify for the Champions League this season. Facing FC Groningen in the opener at home, they are eager to start with a win.
2. AZ Alkmaar signed forwards Mateo Chavez and Isak Jensen in the summer window.
3. AZ Alkmaar finished 5th with 16 wins, 9 draws, and 9 losses in 34 league games last season. In the Conference League playoffs, they beat SC Heerenveen and FC Twente Enschede, securing a European football spot.
4. AZ Alkmaar were unbeaten with 2 wins and 1 draw in the last 3 games across all competitions, showing fit form. They secured a 3-0 home win over Vaduz in the first leg of the Conference League qualification third round, taking the lead.
5. AZ Alkmaar remained unbeaten with 2 wins and 1 draw in the last 3 home games, performing outstandingly at home.
6. AZ Alkmaar were unbeaten with 5 wins and 1 draw in the last 6 encounters between both sides, having the upper hand.
7. The AH line is -1.25 for the home team in this game, which significantly supports AZ Alkmaar.
[(AZ Alkmaar) Weakness]:
1. AZ Alkmaar defender Maxim Dekker is in doubt for this game due to injury.
2. AZ Alkmaar conceded 8 goals in the last 5 games, demonstrating average defense.
[(FC Groningen) Strength]:
1. FC Groningen finished 13th last season, showing mediocre performances. They aim to avoid relegation in the new season. Facing strong AZ Alkmaar, they are motivated to take points to avoid an early-season relegation battle.
2. FC Groningen signed new players in the summer window, including defenders Elvis van der Laan and Tyrique Mercera, midfielder Younes Taha, and striker Oskar Zawada.
3. FC Groningen won two friendlies in a row lately, performing well. They secured a 3-1 win over BSG Wismut Gera in the last friendly.
4. FC Groningen scored 11 goals and conceded only 4 in the last 5 games, boasting excellent offense and defense.
[(FC Groningen) Weakness]:
1. FC Groningen defender Elvis van der Laan is doubtful to play this game due to injury, while forward Fofin Turay will miss the first league game of the new season with an injury.
2. FC Groningen recorded 10 wins, 9 draws, and 15 losses in 34 league games last season, finishing 13th, showcasing inferior overall performances to AZ Alkmaar.
3. FC Groningen had a poor away record of 2 wins, 3 draws, and 12 losses in 17 league games last season, ranking 3rd from the bottom on the road.
4. FC Groningen lost 5 of the last 6 games in AH, showing a lack of winning strength.
[Tips]:
AZ Alkmaar were unbeaten with 2 wins and 1 draw in the last 3 games across all competitions, showing fit form.
FC Groningen won two friendlies in a row lately, performing well.
Besides, AZ Alkmaar were unbeaten with 5 wins and 1 draw in the last 6 encounters between both sides, having the upper hand.
The AH line is -1.25 for the home team in this game, which significantly supports AZ Alkmaar.
AZ Alkmaar are superior in terms of strength, home advantage, and H2H records.
FC Groningen performed well in the recent warm-up games, but their away strength is relatively weak, with starters absent.
Thus, AZ Alkmaar are expected to win the first league game of the new season at home, getting off to a brisk start.
[Recommended]:
AZ Alkmaar (-1/1.5)
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
