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Preview: FC Twente vs. Sparta Rotterdam - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 7 March 2024, 23:49
FC Twente will be looking to make it five wins in six matches when they welcome Sparta Rotterdam to De Grolsch Veste on Saturday evening.

Meanwhile, the away side make the trip to Enschede this weekend in search of a first win in three league outings to get themselves back on track.

Match preview

Twente picked up a second consecutive victory as they narrowly got the better of Vitesse courtesy of a 2-1 triumph at GelreDome on Saturday.

Joseph Oosting's men broke the deadlock through Ricky van Wolfswinkel but were pegged back on the stroke of half time through Robin Propper's own goal after which Joshua Brenet grabbed the winner 11 minutes from time.

As a result, The Tukkers remain third in the Eredivisie table, now seven points clear of AZ Alkmaar in the race for the Champions League playoff spot.

Next up is the challenge of an opposing outfit who are winless in the last nine editions of this fixture across all competitions dating back to 2021.

Currently with the second-most home league wins in the division this term, Saturday's hosts will be confident of getting the job done in front of their fans once again.

Sparta Rotterdam had to make do with a share of the spoils from their clash against AZ Alkmaar which ended in a 1-1 stalemate at the Sparta Stadion Het Kasteel on Saturday.

Jeroen Rijsdijk's men fell behind to Yukinari Sugawara's 25th-minute opener before restoring parity through Arno Verschueren just under half an hour into the second half.

With 30 points picked up from their 24 matches so far, De Kasteelheren sit 10th in the standings, albeit just two points adrift of the last European place.

Having picked up just one win from their most recent eight matches on the road, Saturday's visitors will need to turn their away fortunes around to stand a good chance of continental qualification.

FC Twente Eredivisie form:

D

W

W

L

W

W

Sparta Rotterdam Eredivisie form:

D

L

L

W

L

D

Team News

Sparta's Camiel Neghli is set to miss a fourth consecutive match due to a hamstring problem he sustained against PEC Zwolle in early February.

Arno Verschueren has found the back of the net in two of his last three matches for the away side and will be looking to deliver the goods once again.

Carel Eiting misses out for Twente due to a muscle injury, while Lars Unnerstall missed his first league game of the season against Vitesse due to a shoulder problem.

Przemyslaw Tyton profited from Unnerstall's absence in the aforementioned game and the goalkeeper is expected to retain his place in the XI.

FC Twente possible starting lineup:

Tyton; Smal, Propper, Hilgers, Brenet; Sadilek, Steijn, Kjolo; Rots, Van Wolfswinkel, Vlap

Sparta Rotterdam possible starting lineup:

Olij; Bakari, Meissen, Eerdhuijzen, Van der Kust; De Guzman, Kitolano; Saito, Verschueren, Mito; Lauritsen

We say: FC Twente 3-1 Sparta Rotterdam

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