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4 hours ago
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Looking to shake off what has been an abysmal start to the new Eredivisie campaign, RKC Waalwijk entertain the challenge of Sparta Rotterdam at the Mandemakers Stadion on Saturday.
Albeit for only the first time this term, the away side were also beaten last time out and now go in search of an immediate return to winning ways this weekend.
Match preview
© Imago
Waalwijk were on the receiving end of a 3-0 defeat for the second game running as they went down without a whimper in Sunday's meeting against newly promoted Willem II at the Koning Willem II Stadion.
That was a fifth defeat on the bounce for Henk Fraser's men, who remain the only side without a point to their name after five matches and currently sit bottom of the Eredivisie table as a result.
RKC's defensive record of 15 goals conceded is also the worst in the division, while no side has scored fewer than their two goals, highlighting their deficiencies at both ends of the pitch so far.
Given how Waalwijk ended last season, some would argue that their current struggles have been a long time coming, as they only just about avoided relegation on goal difference after picking up eight points from the last 27 available.
With games against Ajax and FC Twente on the horizon, Saturday's visitors could really do with a positive result this weekend to avoid being left too far behind in the battle for survival.
© Imago
Sparta Rotterdam kicked off the new campaign with three draws on the bounce before finally picking up their first win against Willem II to head into the international break without defeat.
However, Jeroen Rijsdijk's men saw their unbeaten start come to an end against Go Ahead Eagles when the teams went head-to-head at the Sparta Stadion Het Kasteel on Sunday.
Goals in either half from Jakob Breum and Victor Edvardsen left De Rood-Witte Gladiatoren with a mountain to climb before Shunsuke Mito pulled one back 10 minutes from the end of regulation time.
Sparta only had themselves to blame for coming away empty-handed last time out after dominating large spells of the contest with more than twice as many shots on target as their opponents.
Unbeaten in each of their last six meetings against this weekend's opponents, Saturday's visitors will be confident of securing a positive result having not lost consecutive league games since February.
RKC Waalwijk Eredivisie form:
Sparta Rotterdam Eredivisie form:
Team News
© Imago
Richard van der Venne is set to sit out a third straight game for RKC Waalwijk since coming off with a first-half injury against Go Ahead Eagles on August 25.
Long-term absentee Nouri El Harmazi is still a considerable way off making his comeback from a shoulder injury.
Midfielder Yassin Oukili earned an immediate recall to the starting lineup on his return from a one-game suspension and should get the nod here as well.
Shunsuke Mito could be rewarded with a place in the lineup for Sparta Rotterdam after making an instant impact within two minutes of coming off the bench.
Twenty-five-year-old Teo Quintero was fit enough to be named amongst the substitutes last time out, but it remains to be seen if he will be fit enough to play any part this weekend.
RKC Waalwijk possible starting lineup:
Houwen; Meijers, Van den Buijs, Van Ejima, Lelieveld; Oukili, Roemeratoe; Lokesa, Margaret, Cleonise; Zawada
Sparta Rotterdam possible starting lineup:
Olij; Reith, Meissen, Eerdhuijzen, Van der Kust; Baas, Clement; Neghli, Verschueren, Nassoh; Lauritsen
We say: RKC Waalwijk 0-2 Sparta Rotterdam
Waalwijk have been shambolic at the back, and while Sparta are yet to really get going in attack, we can see the away side exploiting their hosts' frailties to come away with maximum points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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