AZ Alkmaar 1-1 Excelsior – Result & Analysis
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Poisson model rates AZ Alkmaar at 61%, yet other data sources diverge — this AZ Alkmaar vs Excelsior fixture contains genuine analytical tension.
✍️ Match Preview
Fixture Analysis
It is a Eredivisie clash, Regular Season - 16 as AZ Alkmaar welcome Excelsior to AFAS Stadion. Kick-off is set for Wednesday 21 January 2026 at 17:45 UTC.
Recent Form
Across all Eredivisie games this season, AZ Alkmaar have gone 4W 1D 5L from 10 outings — a 1.30 PPG return. Last five: L D L W L. Offensively they are averaging 1.60 goals per game, with 1.90 conceded. 3 clean sheets from 10 outings provides some defensive foundation. Both teams have scored in 60% of their games — a high BTTS rate that carries real weight in the goals markets. This season is still relatively young for AZ Alkmaar, so this record blends games from this season and last.
AZ Alkmaar's home record at AFAS Stadion: 6W 3D 1L from 10 Eredivisie appearances (2.10 PPG). They are averaging 2.60 goals per home game — a prolific scoring rate in front of their own fans. Both teams have scored in 90% of their home games — an outstanding BTTS rate that is a key data point for this fixture. Their home PPG of 2.10 is noticeably stronger than their overall 1.30 — AZ Alkmaar are significantly better at AFAS Stadion than their overall form suggests.
Excelsior — All Games: 4W 2D 4L from 10 Eredivisie fixtures this season — 1.40 PPG. Last five: W L W L D. Their scoring rate of 1.20 per game is modest, conceding 1.70 — not a side to back heavily on the Over 2.5 from their form alone. 2 clean sheets from 10 outings suggests some defensive organisation. Both teams have scored in 60% of their games — a noteworthy BTTS rate that supports the Yes market. This season is still relatively young for Excelsior, so this record blends games from this season and last.
When travelling in Eredivisie this season, Excelsior have posted 3W 1D 6L from 10 away outings — 1.00 PPG. Away from home they average 1.40 goals scored and 2.50 conceded per game. Both teams have scored in 80% of their away matches — a high BTTS rate on the road that directly informs this fixture.
There is minimal separation in the form figures — AZ Alkmaar at 1.30 PPG versus Excelsior's 1.40. The form guide is not providing a strong directional steer; the model and market data will carry more weight in the final assessment.
Both teams score in over 80% of each side's relevant games (using home/away splits). At that combined rate, BTTS Yes is as well-evidenced as it gets — the data strongly backs two-way scoring.
H2H
The rivalry is an even one: 2 wins apiece for AZ Alkmaar, 1 for Excelsior and 1 shared spoils from 4 past contests. Neither side holds a meaningful historical edge.
The 4 previous encounters between these sides have been high-scoring affairs — 3.5 goals per contest on average. Historical precedent backs the Over 2.5 goals market. The most recent clash, on 10 Mar 2024, ended 4–0 with AZ Alkmaar winning.
With the win record balanced, the strongest H2H-derived signal is in the goals market. At 3.5 goals per game historically, Over 2.5 is the cleaner angle to extract from the head-to-head data.
In-Play Data
AZ Alkmaar trading profile (54 games, 26 at home): they score before half-time in 77% of fixtures in home games; when goalless at HT, a second-half goal follows 86% of the time; BTTS occurs in 73% of their matches (home games); Over 2.5 goals lands in 69% of games (home games); Over 3.5 in 39%.
Excelsior trading profile (54 games, 26 at away): they score before half-time in 73% of fixtures in away games; when goalless at HT, a second-half goal follows 87% of the time; two or more arrive in the second half on 53% of those occasions; BTTS occurs in 69% of their matches (away games); Over 2.5 goals lands in 73% of games (away games).
BTTS rates are mixed from the trading data — AZ Alkmaar 63% versus Excelsior 56%; no strong lean in either direction. The over/under 2.5 picture is inconclusive from the in-play data (AZ Alkmaar 65% | Excelsior 59%).
Poisson Model
The Poisson distribution model projects AZ Alkmaar 2.45 xG and Excelsior 1.35 xG. These expected goals figures are the primary input: they feed a goal-probability matrix across all scoreline combinations to derive the result and market probabilities below. Underlying strength ratings: AZ Alkmaar attack 1.080 / defence 1.123 | Excelsior attack 0.822 / defence 1.341. League average goals — home 1.690 / away 1.467. Excelsior bring a strong defensive rating of 1.341 — this is suppressing AZ Alkmaar's projected output below what their attack strength alone would suggest. Data: 52 AZ Alkmaar games / 18 Excelsior games used (CurrentSeason).
Result probabilities: AZ Alkmaar 61% | Draw 19% | Excelsior 20%. Fair-value odds: AZ Alkmaar 1.64 | Draw 5.26 | Excelsior 5.00. The model has a clear lean to AZ Alkmaar (61%) — a 41pp gap over the next-most-likely outcome reflects a meaningful statistical advantage.
Goals markets: Over 2.5 probability 73% | BTTS probability 68% | Total xG 3.80. Over 2.5 is the model's clear signal at 73% — a total xG of 3.80 means the expected score alone exceeds the 2.5 threshold, making the Over not just likely but structurally supported by both sides' attack/defence profiles. BTTS Yes at 68% reflects that both xG figures (2.45 / 1.35) are above the threshold where scoring blanks become the primary outcome — both sides are projected to find the net.
Analysis Verdict
On the Poisson output, AZ Alkmaar are the pick at 61% — clear model lean. Draw No Bet is worth pricing alongside the outright: 19% draw probability makes the stalemate a live outcome even at this conviction level.
On the goals line, Poisson's 3.80 combined xG gives a 73% probability to Over 2.5 — strong, supported by form averaging 4.2 goals per game and H2H averaging 3.5 goals per meeting.
Poisson assigns a 68% probability to BTTS Yes based on the attack/defence strength model. Form rates corroborate: AZ Alkmaar 90% | Excelsior 80% BTTS from recent games.
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💡 Key Insights
🏟️ Match Context
• Fixture: AZ Alkmaar vs Excelsior | Competition: Eredivisie, Regular Season - 16 | Venue: AFAS Stadion • Kick-off: Wednesday 21 Jan 2026, 17:45 UTC • Data inputs: H2H history, form splits, prediction model signals, and market pricing
📊 Statistical Prediction
• Poisson result probabilities: AZ Alkmaar 61% | Draw 19% | Excelsior 20% • Poisson goal markets: Over 2.5 73% | BTTS 68% | xG AZ Alkmaar 2.45 / Excelsior 1.35 • Poisson strength factors: AZ Alkmaar attack 1.080 / def 1.123 | Excelsior attack 0.822 / def 1.341 | league avg home 1.690 / away 1.467 • Poisson stance: AZ Alkmaar (61%) — strong lean
🧮 Prediction Model
2.45
AZ Alkmaar xG
Expected Goals
1.35
Excelsior xG
68%
BTTS
89%
Over 1.5
73%
Over 2.5
53%
Over 3.5
Full score-by-score matrix & model internals in the "Full Poisson Detail" section below ↓
⚠️ This analysis is generated algorithmically from statistical data and is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute betting advice. Please gamble responsibly.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What time does AZ Alkmaar vs Excelsior kick off?
AZ Alkmaar vs Excelsior kicked off at 17:45 on Wednesday 21 January 2026 at AFAS Stadion.
What was the final score in AZ Alkmaar vs Excelsior?
AZ Alkmaar 1 - 1 Excelsior.
Where is AZ Alkmaar vs Excelsior being played?
The match is being played at AFAS Stadion.
What competition is AZ Alkmaar vs Excelsior part of?
AZ Alkmaar vs Excelsior is a Regular Season - 16 fixture in the Eredivisie (Netherlands).
Who is favourite to win AZ Alkmaar vs Excelsior?
Our statistical model gives AZ Alkmaar a 61% chance of winning, Excelsior a 20% chance, and a 19% chance of a draw — making AZ Alkmaar the favourite.
Will both teams score in AZ Alkmaar vs Excelsior?
Our model estimates a 68% probability that both AZ Alkmaar and Excelsior will score (BTTS).
Will AZ Alkmaar vs Excelsior have over 2.5 goals?
Our model puts the probability of over 2.5 goals in this match at 73%.
What is the head-to-head record between AZ Alkmaar and Excelsior?
Record (4 meetings): AZ Alkmaar 2W | Draws 1 | Excelsior 1W.
What form are AZ Alkmaar and Excelsior in?
AZ Alkmaar (all comps): 4W-1D-5L in 10 | 1.30 PPG | GF 1.60 / GA 1.90 | L5 L-D-L-W-L. Excelsior (all comps): 4W-2D-4L in 10 | 1.40 PPG | GF 1.20 / GA 1.70 | L5 W-L-W-L-D.
🧮 Model Insight
How the Model Works This Match
AZ Alkmaar's attacking strength (1.08x league average) is weighed against Excelsior's defensive record (1.34x) to produce a home expected-goals figure of 2.45. The same calculation in reverse, Excelsior's attack versus AZ Alkmaar's defence, projects 1.35 expected goals for the visitors.
These ratings are built from 52/18 games of current-season data — a full enough sample to trust.
Most Likely Scorelines
The model's single most probable exact score is 2-1, at 9.1%. Close behind: 1-1 (8.4%), 3-1 (7.4%). Together the top three scorelines make up 25% of the probability — a moderately spread distribution, typical of a competitive match-up.
Most Likely Outcome
AZ Alkmaar Win
61%
1.63
19%
5.39
20%
5.01
Top 3 Most Likely Scorelines
2 β 1
9.1%
Home win
Most likely
1 β 1
7.4%
Draw
3 β 1
7.4%
Home win
Expected Goals & Win Odds
2.45
AZ Alkmaar xG
Total xG
3.80
1.35
Excelsior xG
1.63
61%
Home win
5.39
19%
Draw
5.01
20%
Away win
Goals Markets
89%
Over 1.5
1.12
11%
Under 1.5
9.09
73%
Over 2.5
1.37
27%
Under 2.5
3.70
53%
Over 3.5
1.89
47%
Under 3.5
2.13
33%
Over 4.5
3.03
67%
Under 4.5
1.49
Match Markets
Both Teams to Score
68%
BTTS Yes
1.48
32%
BTTS No
3.10
Clean Sheet
26%
3.87
9%
11.54
Win to Nil
16%
6.29
2%
57.83
Score Probability Matrix (%)
| H \ A | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 2.2 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 0.1 |
| 1 | 5.5 | 7.4 | 5.0 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 0.2 |
| 2 | 6.7 | 9.1 | 6.1 | 2.8 | 0.9 | 0.3 |
| 3 | 5.5 | 7.4 | 5.0 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 0.2 |
| 4 | 3.3 | 4.5 | 3.1 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 0.1 |
| 5 | 1.6 | 2.2 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.1 |
Green = home win Β· Grey = draw Β· Amber = away win Β· Outlined cell = most likely score
▶ Model Internals
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most likely scoreline for AZ Alkmaar vs Excelsior?
Our Poisson model rates 2-1 as the single most likely exact scoreline, at 9.1%.
How many goals are AZ Alkmaar and Excelsior expected to score?
The model projects 2.45 expected goals for AZ Alkmaar and 1.35 for Excelsior, a combined total of 3.80.
How confident is the prediction model for AZ Alkmaar vs Excelsior?
Reasonably confident — the model's leading outcome is rated at 61%, a clear lean rather than a toss-up.
📈 Form Insight
Form at a Glance
AZ Alkmaar come into this having played 54 games, going 26W 13D 15L for 1.69 points per game. Their last five reads L-D-L-W-L. The sample for AZ Alkmaar is still a mix of this season and last, given how young the current campaign is.
On the other side, Excelsior sit at 1.69 PPG from 54 outings (27W 10D 17L), a run that reads W-L-W-L-D across their last five. The sample for Excelsior is still a mix of this season and last, given how young the current campaign is.
Form-wise this is close to level: AZ Alkmaar on 1.69 PPG, Excelsior on 1.69. Other factors will likely decide this one more than recent results.
Venue Form
AZ Alkmaar's home form reads 13W 7D 6L across 26 games on their own ground, a 1.77 PPG return.
Away from home, Excelsior have taken 1.38 points per game from 26 outings (10W 6D 10L).
Goals in Recent Form
AZ Alkmaar are averaging 1.81 goals scored and 1.31 conceded per game recently; Excelsior are on 1.65 scored and 1.26 conceded.
On BTTS specifically: AZ Alkmaar have seen both teams score in 63% of their recent games.
Last 54 Results — Eredivisie
Current season: same league only · Previous season: all leagues (covers promoted/relegated teams)
AZ Alkmaar
Blended
Excelsior
Blended
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What form are AZ Alkmaar and Excelsior in coming into this match?
AZ Alkmaar have gone 26W 13D 15L in their last 54 games (1.69 PPG), while Excelsior have gone 27W 10D 17L in their last 54 (1.69 PPG).
Which team has the better venue record — AZ Alkmaar at home or Excelsior away?
AZ Alkmaar's home record (1.77 PPG) is the stronger of the two venue-specific splits — AZ Alkmaar at home: 1.77 PPG; Excelsior away: 1.38 PPG.
Have AZ Alkmaar or Excelsior been keeping clean sheets recently?
AZ Alkmaar have kept a clean sheet in 30% of their recent games, Excelsior in 31%.
⚔️ Rivalry Insight
Fixture History
6 meetings separate these sides on the data we hold, the series stretching back to October 2022. Every recorded meeting has come in Eredivisie. They last met on 14 February 2026, roughly 6 months ago.
Streaks & Records
The biggest gap between the sides came on 10 Feb 2023, when AZ Alkmaar won 5-0 — the largest margin of victory on record between these two.
AZ Alkmaar's record when hosting Excelsior specifically: 2W 1D 0L from 3 games — a narrower, venue-specific slice of the head-to-head picture.
Last 6 Meetings
3
AZ Alkmaar
2
Draws
1
Excelsior
Recent Meetings
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the head-to-head record between AZ Alkmaar and Excelsior?
From 6 meetings on record, AZ Alkmaar have won 3, Excelsior have won 1, and 2 have been drawn.
When did AZ Alkmaar and Excelsior last play each other?
They last met on 14 February 2026, when Excelsior 1-2 AZ Alkmaar.
Who has won more matches between AZ Alkmaar and Excelsior?
AZ Alkmaar have the better head-to-head record, with 3 wins from 6 meetings.
📈 Trading Insight
First-Half Patterns
AZ Alkmaar are typically involved in an early goal — the half-time board shows at least one in 77% of their matches. They've gone in front at half-time 46% of the time, though they've let that lead slip 15% of the time they've held it — worth watching if they're only ahead by one.
Excelsior are typically involved in an early goal — the half-time board shows at least one in 73% of their matches. They've gone in front at half-time 31% of the time.
Full-Time Trends
Both teams scoring has been the norm for this pairing lately — AZ Alkmaar at 73%, Excelsior at 69%. That combined rate makes BTTS Yes a well-supported trading angle.
Goals have flowed in these teams' recent matches — Over 2.5 has landed at 69% for AZ Alkmaar and 73% for Excelsior. Stepping up a level, Over 3.5 has also landed reasonably often — 42% and 38% respectively — worth a look for goal-hungry markets.
Current season: same league only. Previous season: all leagues (covers promoted/relegated teams). All = any venue | Venue = AZ Alkmaar home games / Excelsior away games. HT metrics require half-time score data β shown as β where unavailable.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Do both teams usually score when AZ Alkmaar play Excelsior?
Yes — based on recent matches, both teams have scored in 73% of AZ Alkmaar's games and 69% of Excelsior's, a combined rate that favours BTTS Yes.
Is AZ Alkmaar vs Excelsior usually a high-scoring fixture?
Recent trends suggest it could be — Over 2.5 goals has landed in 69% of AZ Alkmaar's matches and 73% of Excelsior's.
Do AZ Alkmaar and Excelsior tend to score early?
AZ Alkmaar have had a goal before half-time in 77% of their recent matches, Excelsior in 73% — a useful reference point for first-half goal markets.
AZ Alkmaar and Excelsior share the spoils in a 1-1 draw.
📝 Match Report
How It Unfolded
The points were shared at AFAS Stadion, Regular Season - 16, as AZ Alkmaar and Excelsior drew 1-1 in the Eredivisie. That is the final score; the rest of this report grades it against what the data forecast beforehand.
The Model vs The Result
The Poisson model went into this projecting AZ Alkmaar 2.45 xG and Excelsior 1.35 xG, a combined 3.80. The scoreboard read 1-1 for 2 actual goals. AZ Alkmaar fell 1.4 short of their projected output. Those figures were built on strength ratings of AZ Alkmaar attack 1.08 / defence 1.12 against Excelsior attack 0.82 / defence 1.34, drawn from 52/18 games (CurrentSeason).
On the result, the model split it AZ Alkmaar 61% | Draw 19% | Excelsior 20%, with AZ Alkmaar to win its most likely call at 61%. Instead the game produced a draw, an outcome the model had rated at just 19% — a clear break from expectation and a genuine upset by the numbers.
Goals & Markets
The model rated Over 2.5 goals at 73%. The game delivered 2, so it stayed under — a miss for the goals model. Over 1.5 had been 89% and landed. Over 3.5 was 53% and did not. On both teams to score, the model sat at 68% and the match saw both sides score — another call in the model's favour. Historically the two sides average 62% Over 2.5 across their same-competition games (AZ Alkmaar 65%, Excelsior 59%), a base rate that pointed the other way from today's under. Their combined BTTS history runs at 59%, which matched the both-scored outcome.
Trading Patterns vs Reality
AZ Alkmaar's trading profile (54 games, 26 home) set some clear expectations: BTTS lands in 63% of their matches — today it did.
Excelsior's trading profile (54 games, 26 away) set some clear expectations: BTTS lands in 56% of their matches — today it did; they keep a clean sheet 32% of the time, and conceded here.
Form vs Result
The form lines were close — AZ Alkmaar 1.69 PPG, Excelsior 1.69 PPG — offering no strong steer, and the draw fit that even billing. AZ Alkmaar (home/away splits) managed 1 against a 2.12 scoring average — below par going forward.
Verdict
Grading the result against the stored data, 1 of 3 pre-match signals came in: result (miss), Over 2.5 (miss), BTTS (hit). A poor return for the projections: the match defied the majority of what the numbers expected.
💡 Key Insights
⚠️ This match report is generated algorithmically from the final score, our prediction model, and each team's historical form and trading data. Analysis is for informational purposes only.