Feyenoord-AZ preview: Crucial top-of-the-table clash for high-flying starters

The contestants

A somewhat up-and-down start saw Feyenoord kick off the 2026/27 season in hot form, though question marks remained. Manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst began his second term as Feyenoord boss with big wins (5-2 against Cambuur, 3-1 against NEC), but underperformed in Rotterdam, drawing their first two home games.

However, the Rotterdam giants have come to life in recent weeks, with a 7-0 drubbing of PEC Zwolle followed by a 5-0 home win over FC Utrecht. It's fair to say that Feyenoord are running on all cylinders now.

It hasn't been enough for the top spot, as AZ held the position throughout the XL international break with 19 points from seven games. The Alkmaar side have now been fully convinced, as in the disappointing 1-1 home draw against promoted Willem II, but have also shown high-quality play and possess serious talent, with confidence across the squad.

The key players

It has been the season of Gjivai Zechiel so far. After two loan spells, the young midfielder finally gets his chance to shine in Feyenoord red-and-white and has proven invaluable to Van Bronckhorst with five goals and four assists in seven games. Zechiel forms an excellent partnership with captain Luciano Valente, who has been great in his own right with four goals and an assist from midfield and the left wing.

Up front, Spanish striker Nacho Ferri has really come to life with four goals in his last two games after a quiet start in Rotterdam.

For AZ, Ro-Zangelo Daal and Mexx Meerdink have provided major sparks up front. The young Daal is in his breakout season with four goals, while Meerdink has scored twice, assisted two more goals, and is riding a wave following his senior Netherlands debut and first two goals for Oranje.

The question marks

Feyenoord will still be without Jordan Bos and Thomas Beelen, who are suffering from long-term injuries, while key defender Tsuyoshi Watanabe is doubtful to play after returning from international duty with an injury. As opposed to Watanabe, Anis Hadj Moussa will likely feature. Shaqueel van Persie and Goncalo Borges, who missed Feyenoord's last game before the international break, are also likely to return.

For AZ, the biggest omission is that of star midfielder Kees Smit, who withdrew from the warm-up for the Dutch U21 game against Bosnia and Herzegovina and is expected to be out for several weeks. Back-up striker Jizz Hornkamp is also in doubt for the Feyenoord clash after picking up an injury in training last week.

What the managers said

Feyenoord manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst

On Gjivai Zechiel: "He came back with a big smile on his face. All in all, it’s been a special few weeks for him. You never forget making your debut for the Dutch national team. I do think it’s a stepping stone for him towards more matches. So, he’s a player who’s come back in a very positive frame of mind after an international break."

On tough schedule: "I think it’s also a challenge for us, for me, for us as a team and for the players, to build on the positive momentum we’ve built up following the last few matches before the break. "I think there was a lot of energy there, both in training and in our team talks. And I can tell that the lads are really looking forward to playing at De Kuip again tomorrow. That’s obviously what we want. We’re simply well prepared for it."

On Saturday's opponents: "It’s very positive, really. You can see, of course, that we’ve got a very young squad that’s simply got off to a great start in the league, with lots of players in the Netherlands U21 squad. We’ve prepared well. We’re preparing for a very strong AZ side, and that’s certainly what we can expect tomorrow."

On the international break: "It’s been a long period. Of course, you can see the difference between club football and international football. That’s why I think you see so many injuries, down to the difference in the system or training methods. That’s something that’s struck me during this period."

AZ manager Leeroy Echteld

On Kees Smit: "He wasn’t 100 per cent fit going into the match, but he wanted to help the Dutch U21s. So it’s a real shame that he can’t play against Feyenoord."

On Saturday's high-profile clash: "It’s a nail-biting match. We just hope to give our best possible performance. You could say that Feyenoord, playing at home, are the favourites, but I don’t see it that way. We’re top of the table, so I think it’s 50-50."

On Mexx Meerdink: "It was actually a boyhood dream come true for him. He wasn’t initially called up, but then he was after all. And then he played and scored. I’m delighted for him, and delighted for the club."

The prognosis

Feyenoord seem very hard to stop right now. Van Bronckhorst's men are on fire, with 12 goals in their last two games, though the international break might've thrown a spanner in the works at a poor time. The biggest question is whether they can bring the same intensity and hot form as three weeks ago.

On the other side, AZ's break might've come at a perfect moment, with the Alkmaar side having lost momentum in the rounds leading up to the three-week pause. Smit's absence could play its part, though the youngster hasn't been in excellent form so far.

Saturday's game has all the ingredients for a fiercely contested top-of-the-table battle, and it's ultimately up to AZ to take the fight to Feyenoord, defend their lead at the Eredivisie summit, and beat Feyenoord for the first time since February 2022.

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Paul Winters is Flashscore's Netherlands country manager, having previously worked for Flashscore's Netherlands desk. Paul is an expert on the Eredivisie and also specialises in the NFL, as well as a plethora of other sports. Residing in 'sunny' Katwijk, you can follow all of the news from the Netherlands here. 

You can find Paul on X and LinkedIn.