AZ Alkmaar host FC Twente at the AFAS Stadion on 25 October 2026 in a Matchday 10 Eredivisie fixture that matters concretely at the top end of the table. AZ sit second with 20 points from nine games and a plus-10 goal difference and a win here would open a five-point gap over fifth-placed Twente, who arrive on 17 points with a plus-7 difference. Both clubs come in fresh from midweek European victories, with Lee-Roy Echteld's AZ beating FC Ararat-Armenia 4-0 in the Europa League on 22 October and John van den Brom's Twente following up their 1-2 domestic loss to Utrecht with a 4-1 Conference League win over Lincoln Red Imps. Van den Brom managed AZ before taking charge in Enschede, a detail that won't be lost on either dugout.
AZ's last five Eredivisie results read D L W D W, a sequence that has kept them close to the summit despite one defeat. Twente's corresponding run reads L D W W, a pattern that tells you something: they concede the bad result, then move on.
AZ operate a possession-oriented 4-2-3-1 that becomes particularly aggressive at home, controlling the central lanes through a disciplined double pivot before feeding Calvin Stengs in the attacking midfield role. Stengs carries the creative load, using quick one touch combinations and disguised passes to unlock compact defences, with Mexx Meerdink primed to convert when the central channels open. Twente, also set up in a 4-2-3-1, prioritise defensive structure before launching rapid transitions. Wout Weghorst drops deep to link play and create space for midfield runners, his hold up ability forcing AZ's centre backs into awkward decisions about whether to step out or stay compact, while Marko Pjaca operates at number ten, drifting into half spaces to exploit gaps left when AZ push their double pivot into advanced positions. Both squads are at full strength, so the shape each manager prefers is the shape we will actually see.
The midfield duel between Stengs and Twente's double pivot will likely decide the tempo. If Stengs finds time to turn, AZ can build sustained pressure that tests Twente's concentration over ninety minutes, if Twente win the first ball, Weghorst's hold up and release of Pjaca or wide runners is where the counter threat lives. AZ's home record suggests they will dominate territory but Twente's set piece organisation and transition speed mean a single lapse in AZ's shape might be all that is needed. The physical recovery window after a 4-0 midweek game is short and Van den Brom will look to exploit any early sluggishness, inviting AZ forward before springing Weghorst into channels.
Recent meetings tilt slightly in AZ's favour, though the last encounter ended 2-2 at the AFAS Stadion on 3 May 2026 and showed exactly what Twente can do on the break once AZ push higher in search of a winner. Weghorst at the near post and Pjaca's delivery from wide free kicks give Twente a clear danger at set pieces, while AZ's wide area routines tend to feature Stengs curling deliveries toward Meerdink or arriving midfielders.
A win for AZ extends their gap over Twente to five points and firms up their position in the Champions League race, whereas for Twente three points here would move them within two of the automatic European spots, making this the most consequential game of their respective seasons so far.
We're going with 2-1 to AZ. Their control through the double pivot and Stengs' movement should create enough to edge it, with Meerdink the likeliest finisher when the clearer chances arrive inside the box. The Stengs and Meerdink combination is where the decisive moment is most likely to come but Twente's set pieces keep this open until the final whistle.
Ryan Baldi
Football Writer
Ryan Baldi is a professional football writer with years of experience and has been featured by respected outlets such as the BBC, The Guardian, Sky Sports, DAZN, FourFourTwo, ESPN, Yahoo Sport and Football365. He has also written several books including Arsène Who?.
