The Dutch giants travel to Victoria Park to face Hartlepool United tonight
Match Preview
Pools returned from their tour of Holland with a win and a defeat, a 3-1 victory over RKC was followed by a disapointing defeat against Hapoel Kiryat Shirona.
AZ beat vv Nunspeet 7-1 on Saturday as part of their German tour and have looked impressive this pre season.
Danny Wilson could play with either the 4-3-3 formation he used in Holland or the 4-4-2 of last season. Either way it is expected that most of the team will be given a run out against the team who finished 3rd in the Dutch Premier league last season.
Danny Wilson told the Official Website he was looking forward to the match ‘The lads will get to test themselves against some highly-talented opposition and this game will be another step up for us ahead of the first game of the league season.’
AZ boss Louis van Gaal has previously managed Barcelona and was in charge last season when they knocked Newcastle out of the UEFA Cup.
Hartlepool Team News:
Willie Boland has recovered from a hamstring strain and Michael Nelson recovered from a knee injury to play against Hapoel Kiryat and should be fit tonight.
Player to watch: Arran Lee-Barrett
The goalkeeper is slightly ahead in the race for the #1 shirt but will have his work cut out against the AZ attackers tonight. They scored 62 goals in the League alone last season
AZ Team News:
AZ picked up no injuries on their tour of Germany and are at full strength tonight. It is expected Louis van Gall will select a strong side in their penultimate pre season game.
Player to watch: Danny Koevermans
The striker scored 22 goals in 31 games last season and has scored twice in his last 3 pre season games. If he starts tonight it will be a tough test for Pools defensive pairing.
Match Facts & Stats
Pools have lost 2 and won 1 of their pre season games so far. AZ Alkmaar have won 9-0 and 7-1 against lower league German sides but lost 4-0 against Bayer Leverkusen
Match Prediction:
Like i said in the Newcatsle match preview, its not the result that matters but the closer it gets to the season the better the performances should be.
Hartlepool 1-3 AZ Alkmaar
Next Fixtures:
Pools will send a fringe team to play Consett tomorrow night before their final friendly against Rotherham on Saturday. AZ face Middlesbrough on Saturday before heading back to Holland for the new season.
