AZ Alkmaar vs ADO Den Haag Prediction: Can Hosts Launch 2026/27 Eredivisie Campaign in Style?

The 2026/27 Eredivisie season opens with AZ Alkmaar hosting newly promoted ADO Den Haag at the AFAS Stadion on 8 August at 19:00 UTC. AZ come in as Johan Cruyff Shield holders after beating PSV 4-0 and as KNVB Cup winners from last season, having finished seventh with 52 points. ADO are back in the top flight for the first time in five years after winning the Eerste Divisie, their promotion campaign built on goals and an aggressive press that yielded plenty of them.

Lee-Roy Echteld took over as AZ's interim head coach in January 2026 and earned the role permanently through the summer, while Robin Peter joined ADO on a multi year deal in July 2025 and delivered promotion in his first season, making this their first meeting in the dugout.

AZ arrive unbeaten through pre season, with that 4-0 Cruyff Shield win over PSV the obvious headline. ADO's pre season friendlies showed the same attacking intent that drove their promotion, though friendly results tell you relatively little about how a promoted side will cope with Eredivisie pace and physicality.

AZ have a few concerns going in: Jizz Hornkamp is out with an ankle problem, Denso Kasius and Jordy Clasie are doubts and the departure of Sven Mijnans to PSV removes a creative presence from midfield. In their 4-3-3, De Busser starts in goal behind a back four of Goes, Schouten, Van Duijl and Chávez or Dijkstra, with Koopmeiners sitting deep in midfield and Patati, Meerdink and Daal leading the attack. ADO have a fully fit squad, their only significant departure being Jari Vlak and they line up in a matching 4-3-3 with Nikiema in goal, Hokke, Mulder, Waem and Sylla across the back, Van Mieghem, Kilo and De Bruin in the middle and a front three drawn from Bal, Reischl, Rottier, Eduardo and Peupion. Neither side carries suspensions into the opener.

AZ build through possession, looking to play through the lines and break compact blocks with Koopmeiners as the midfield pivot. Without Mijnans, how Echteld replaces that creativity in tight spaces is the main unanswered question going into the opener. ADO press high and move the ball quickly and while they scored heavily in the Eerste Divisie, they conceded few enough that this is not simply a side that trades goals.

The key battle is Juho Kilo against AZ's midfield block, as he carries the ball forward and arrives late into the box on counter attacks, meaning AZ will need to track his runs from deep throughout. Weslley Patati and Ro-Zangelo Daal should have opportunities against a newly promoted backline, while Mexx Meerdink's ability to hold up play will determine how much of AZ's possession they can actually convert into chances. AZ have won nine of the 13 previous meetings, including a 2-1 win the last time these sides met in January 2021 and three of their last five home clashes against ADO ended with AZ winning by two or more goals.

AZ Alkmaar 3-1 ADO Den Haag. AZ's possession game should keep them in control for most of the match, with Meerdink and the wingers finding ways through a promoted defence. ADO will get on the scoresheet, with Kilo looking to exploit the space behind AZ's press and a set piece their likeliest route to goal but without the Eredivisie experience to sustain their press for ninety minutes against a side of AZ's level, the gaps will come and AZ will punish them late.