Willem II v AZ Alkmaar: Dutch Cup betting, preview & tips

Dutch Cup semi-final, 7.45pm Thursday

Mid-table Willem II sprang a surprise on Sunday by winning 2-1 at home to fourth-placed AZ Alkmaar in the Eredivisie and they look overpriced to beat the same opponents in the semi-final of the Dutch Cup.

AZ make a swift return to Tilburg determined to play much better than they did at the weekend but based on that showing they look unreliable odds-on favourites.

There was a lot riding on the weekend encounter for AZ, who would have climbed above Feyenoord into third place had they won. But they failed to match Willem II's intensity in the first half and were unable to recover from the 2-0 deficit at the interval.

Previously, AZ had registered six successive victories, including a comfortable 2-0 success over highflying Vitesse Arnhem in the Dutch Cup quarter-finals.

• Eredivisie standings

But their Eredivisie away results - six wins, one draw and five defeats - have been sketchy and so is their record at the Willem II Stadion, where they have lost on four of their last seven visits.

Willem II are 12 points worse off in the league than their visitors but have improved since making some key January signings.

Feyenoord loanee Renato Tapia has quickly established himself as a cornerstone of their defence while centre-forward Alexander Isak and attacker Marios Vrousai (acquired on loan from Borussia Dortmund and Olympiakos) have enhanced their offensive play. Vrousai has netted three goals in six starts, including the opener at the weekend.

The Greek can play his part in another memorable victory, setting up Willem II's first cup final appearance since 2005.

Recommendation
Willem II
1pt 15-4 bet365

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