De Graafschap host Jong AZ on Monday, August 17, in the second round of the Eerste Divisie. The game will take place at the Vijverberg in Doetinchem, with both teams searching for their first victory of the new league season. De Graafschap opened their campaign with a draw, while Jong AZ suffered a narrow home defeat. Recent form creates an intriguing contrast: the hosts have struggled for consistency, whereas the visitors produced four wins during their last five matches. However, the head-to-head record strongly favors De Graafschap, who have won four and drawn one of the five listed meetings between the sides.

De Graafschap Recent Form and Key Statistics

De Graafschap began their Eerste Divisie season with a 1-1 draw against Helmond Sport on August 9. That result leaves them with one point from their opening fixture and places them 13th in the ranking supplied for this match. Their current league figures stand at no wins, one draw and no defeats, with an average of one goal scored and one conceded.

The broader five-match record is less encouraging. De Graafschap have collected one victory, one draw and three defeats across that period, scoring an average of 2.0 goals per game but conceding 3.2. Their preparation included a 4-2 win over Kifisia, followed by defeats against AEK Athens, SC Telstar and Excelsior Rotterdam. Those results underline the attacking potential within the team, but they also highlight the number of chances opponents have been able to convert.

Home scoring form offers the clearest source of confidence. De Graafschap have scored at least once in each of their last 18 home matches, including their previous 17 home fixtures in the Eerste Divisie. Their strong starts are also notable, as they have been ahead at half-time in eight of their last 12 home league games and in eight of their last 13 home matches across all competitions.

The second half has consistently produced action in De Graafschap fixtures. At least one goal after the interval has been recorded in their last 11 home matches and in their last 10 home league games. The same pattern has appeared in 34 of their previous 37 matches overall, as well as 31 of their last 34 Eerste Divisie fixtures. These sequences suggest that the hosts regularly remain involved in eventful contests until the closing stages.

Jong AZ Recent Form and Key Statistics

Jong AZ started the league campaign with a 1-0 home loss against FC Eindhoven on August 10. Consequently, the visitors enter this fixture in 20th place, with no points, no goals scored and one goal conceded. Although that opening result was disappointing, their form across the latest five matches is much stronger: four wins, no draws and one defeat, accompanied by averages of 3.4 goals scored and 1.0 conceded per game.

Before the loss to FC Eindhoven, Jong AZ recorded four consecutive preparation victories. They defeated Jong Ajax 3-0, Jong Sparta 3-2, Quick Boys 4-1 and IJsselmeervogels 7-1. This run demonstrated considerable scoring output, even though it did not carry into the opening league match. The available record also states that Jong AZ won their last three away fixtures, making their performance on the road an important element of this preview.

Several long-term trends point toward games with goalmouth activity. More than 1.5 total goals have been recorded in each of Jong AZ’s last 14 away matches in the Eerste Divisie and in 21 of their previous 22 league games overall. At least one first-half goal has also occurred in 23 of their last 25 league fixtures. After the break, a goal has been scored in 20 of Jong AZ’s previous 22 matches, with the same return applying to their last 22 Eerste Divisie appearances.

Decisive results have been another regular feature of Jong AZ’s schedule. They have avoided a draw in 28 of their last 30 matches, and that sequence is identical when considering Eerste Divisie games alone. In addition, more than 7.5 corners have been taken in each of their previous 23 league fixtures. Together, these figures describe a side whose matches frequently contain clear momentum shifts and rarely finish level.

De Graafschap vs Jong AZ Match Analysis

The central question is whether recent overall form or head-to-head history will have the greater influence. Jong AZ arrive with four wins from five matches and a much better scoring average over that sample. Their four preparation victories were all accompanied by at least three goals scored, indicating that they had been productive before being held scoreless by FC Eindhoven. Their sequence of three consecutive away wins provides another positive signal ahead of this trip.

De Graafschap, however, have repeatedly controlled this particular matchup. Their five-game head-to-head summary against Jong AZ reads four victories, one draw and no defeats, with averages of 3.4 goals scored and 1.0 conceded. The most recent meeting ended in a 5-0 victory for De Graafschap on April 6, 2026. That record gives the home side a strong historical foundation despite their less convincing recent sequence.

Goals are a prominent theme in the available statistics. De Graafschap’s long home scoring run combines with Jong AZ’s sequence of 14 away league matches containing more than 1.5 total goals. Both teams also have extensive second-half scoring trends, so the contest may continue to develop after the interval rather than being determined solely by the opening exchanges. At the same time, each side conceded only once in its first league match, showing that the new campaign began with tighter scorelines than several of their preparation fixtures.

This Eerste Divisie encounter therefore brings together two competing narratives. De Graafschap have home scoring consistency and a commanding unbeaten head-to-head record, but their latest five matches include three defeats and a high average of goals conceded. Jong AZ have stronger recent results and productive away form, yet they must respond to an opening-day loss and a matchup history in which they have not won any of the five listed meetings. With both teams still seeking their first league victory, their contrasting trends should make this one of the most closely watched fixtures of the round.