Free-scoring VVV face their bogey side
VVV-Venlo welcome Jong AZ to De Koel on Friday, 16 October 2026, in round 11 of the Eerste Divisie, with kick-off at 20:00. VVV are third on 21 points and won 3-0 at Jong Ajax last time out. Jong AZ are 11th on 13 points after a 1-0 home defeat by Den Bosch. There is a twist: VVV have never beaten Jong AZ at home, and Jong AZ won 3-1 in Venlo in January.
Predicted lineups: VVV-Venlo vs Jong AZ
VVV have some selection problems. Tristan Schenkhuizen is not expected to feature, so Andreas Verstraeten should come into midfield. Top scorer Edhy Zuliani is a doubt with a groin problem, with Rais or Janssen the options if he misses out, and Alex Schalk has a new minor injury. Lars de Blok, the vice-captain with seven assists, is back in the squad after a hamstring problem but is not expected to start. Philip Heise should continue at left-back. Jong AZ have no reported injury news, and Tycho de Wit and Kovács are expected back in the side.
VVV-Venlo Team News & Preview
VVV have scored at least twice in every one of their ten league games, and 14 different players have found the net. Their 26 goals are spread across the side, which matters with Zuliani a doubt. At Jong Ajax, Heise was involved in all three goals: his long ball sent Zuliani through, his corner set up Gino Schmidt, and he scored the penalty.
At home, VVV lost 4-3 to Heracles on opening day and have won all four since: 2-1 against De Graafschap, 4-0 against Emmen, 3-1 against TOP Oss and 2-0 against Roda. That is 14 goals in five home games.
What works for or against VVV
- Scored two or more in all ten league games.
- Four straight home wins, 14 home goals in five games.
- Zuliani (4 goals) is a doubt and Schalk is out.
- Have never beaten Jong AZ at home.
Jong AZ Team News & Preview
Jong AZ’s away games have been chaotic. They won 5-2 at De Graafschap and 6-3 at Dordrecht, lost 3-1 at Emmen and 3-2 at Heracles, and drew 1-1 at Jong PSV. That is 15 scored and 12 conceded, an average of 5.4 goals per game, and both teams have scored in all five.
Last week’s 1-0 home defeat by Den Bosch was the exception. Jong AZ had more of the chances after the break, hit the bar and saw an effort cleared off the line, but could not score. Kovács leads their scoring with four goals. They have conceded 18 goals in ten games, and only one of their five away games has ended with them conceding fewer than two.
What works for or against Jong AZ
- Won 3-1 at VVV in January and dominate this fixture.
- Scored 15 goals in five away games.
- Conceded 12 goals in five away games.
- Failed to score at home to Den Bosch last time out.
VVV-Venlo vs Jong AZ Odds
Match Result
Handicap
Over/Under
Both Teams to Score
Venlo vs. Jong AZ Alkmaar Stats Comparison
Show Recent Results
Venlo vs. Jong AZ Alkmaar Form Guide
Venlo Form, Stats & Data
VVV score 2.6 goals per game, and the fact that their top scorer has only four shows how widely the goals are shared. That depth is the main reason I am not too worried about Zuliani’s fitness.
Jong AZ Alkmaar Form, Stats & Data
Jong AZ score 2.2 goals per game and concede 1.8. Like most reserve sides they play open, attacking football, and away from home that has left gaps at the back in almost every game.
VVV-Venlo vs Jong AZ: Prediction & Betting Tip
The result is hard to call given Jong AZ’s record in this fixture, so I prefer to focus on VVV’s goals. They have scored at least twice in all ten league games and 14 times in five home games, and Jong AZ have conceded two or more in four of their five away games. VVV only need two goals for this bet to win, and I do not need them to win the game.
My main concern is VVV’s injuries. Zuliani is a doubt, Schalk is out and Schenkhuizen is missing, and in January VVV managed only one goal at home against Jong AZ. But with 14 different scorers this season, VVV have shown they do not depend on one player.
My selection is VVV over 1.5 team goals at 1.51 with Winz, with 3-1 as my correct-score call.