FC Twentevs.Go Ahead Eagles

Match preview

Off the back of consecutive 2-2 stalemates against OGC Nice and Ajax, Twente picked up their first win in three matches by narrowly beating Fortuna Sittard 2-1 in Sunday's meeting at the Fortuna Sittard Stadion.

Goals in either half from Sem Steijn and Ricky van Wolfswinkel proved enough to get the job done for Joseph Oosting's men, who were however beaten 1-0 by Royal Union SG in their fifth Europa League group-stage clash on Thursday.

That defeat has left Twente in need of a huge miracle if they are to make it through to the knockout stages in the new-look continental tournament, but their domestic campaign has been decent, to say the least, as the Tukkers sit fifth in the Eredivisie table.

Despite failing to keep a clean sheet in any of their last four matches, Twente have conceded fewer goals this term (12) than any other team in the division, excluding PSV Eindhoven (nine) and Ajax (11).

Sunday's hosts are set to have their defensive resolve extensively tested by a free-scoring PSV side next week, but in the meantime, the focus will be on securing all three points against Go Ahead Eagles.

Relieved to have snapped a four-game winless streak last time out, Go Ahead Eagles will head into their upcoming encounter on a high following Saturday's emphatic 3-0 triumph over Almere City.

Mats Deijl opened the scoring within 15 minutes to set Paul Simonis's men on their way after which Oliver Edvardsen and Victor Edvardsen netted either side of the half-time whistle to wrap up the win in emphatic style.

A tally of 18 points from 13 matches so far is four points less than what The Pride of the IJsselKowet had at this same stage last season, but they remain firmly in contention for European football this term.

However, Go Ahead Eagles will need to tighten up at both ends of the field having conceded the most goals of any team in the top 10 (20), while their attacking output of 18 goals scored is better off only that of Sittard (14) in the top half.

If history is anything to go by, Sunday's visitors are in for a tough assignment this weekend having failed to win any of the most recent seven meetings, including defeats in both of last season's encounters by a combined score of 6-1.

FC Twente Eredivisie form:

L

D

W

W

D

W

FC Twente form (all competitions):

W

W

D

D

W

L

Go Ahead Eagles Eredivisie form:

W

L

D

D

L

W

Team News

Younes Taha is Twente's only guaranteed absentee for this one, as the Moroccan continues to nurse a shin injury which has sidelined him since mid-September.

After recording a goal and an assist apiece versus Fortuna, Sem Steijn has now been directly involved in 12 of his side's 26 league goals so far, making him one to keep an eye on.

Soren Tengstedt has returned from a knee problem and is expected to feature once again this weekend having made his comeback with a 23-minute cameo against Almere.

Amid a slow start to the season so far, Victor Edvardsen turned in a performance of the highest quality last time out and will be looking to deliver the goods once again.

FC Twente possible starting lineup:

Unnerstall; Salah-Eddine, Bruns, Hilgers, Van Rooy; Besselink, Regeer; Vlap, Steijn, Rots; Lammers

Go Ahead Eagles possible starting lineup:

Plogmann; Deijl, Nauber, Kramer, James; Llansana, Breum, Linthorst; O Edvardsen, V Edvardsen, Antman

We say: FC Twente 2-1 Go Ahead Eagles

Both teams have had their respective spells of inconsistency this term, and Sunday's game could easily swing either way.

That said, we are backing the home side to just about do enough to come away with maximum points when all is said and done.

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