FC Twentevs.Sparta

Match preview

Twente wasted no time in getting their league journey up and running courtesy of a 2-1 triumph over NEC Nijmegen in Saturday's meeting between the teams at Stadion de Goffert.

That was a positive start for Joseph Oosting's men, who have been tipped to catch the eye this term off the back of a successful 2023-24 league campaign that saw them rack up 69 points from 34 outings.

However, The Tukkers will have to make do with no European football once again after a 5-4 aggregate defeat to RB Salzburg over two legs in the third round of the Champions League playoffs.

Trailing 2-1 from the first leg in Austria last week, Twente just about fell short in their attempt to overturn the deficit in Tuesday's 3-3 draw, where they had to come back from two goals down.

Nonetheless, losing out on the added burden of continental involvement could turn out to be a blessing in disguise for Saturday's hosts, who will now be looking to build upon a third-place finish last season.

Sparta Rotterdam were unable to see off the threat of a stubborn Heracles outfit in Sunday's encounter, which ended in a drab goalless stalemate at the Sparta Stadion Het Kasteel.

Having seen his side boast over two-thirds of the ball possession, Jeroen Rijsdijk was visibly disappointed at his men's inability to find the all-important winner that their dominance perhaps merited.

Dropping points against Heracles would have taken some sting out of De Kasteelheren's momentum off the back of an impressive pre-season where they won seven of their eight warm-up fixtures.

A chance to return to winning ways awaits Sparta Rotterdam in Enschede this weekend, but their record against Twente does not make for good reading with no wins in the last 10 clashes since the start of 2021.

Saturday's visitors will need to be wary of the set-piece threat posed by their hosts, who have scored a league-high 10 goals from corners across all competitions this calendar year.

FC Twente Eredivisie form:

FC Twente form (all competitions):

Sparta Rotterdam Eredivisie form:

Team News

Michal Sadilek will not play any part for FC Twente as he remains sidelined with a shin injury which has ruled him out of action since the end of June.

Alec van Hoorenbeeck has netted in consecutive games ahead of Saturday's affair, making the Belgian one to keep an eye on here.

Following his opener in Saturday's full debut, Sam Lammers has now directly contributed to 15 goals in 21 outings since returning to the Eredivisie in January.

Youri Regeer is a major doubt for this one, having missed the draw against Salzburg through an injury he picked up in the hosts' win over NEC on matchday one.

Boyd Reith has wasted no time in nailing down a starting spot since joining Sparta from lower league side Roda as a free agent during the summer window.

Last season's leading scorer, Tobias Lauritsen, endured a quiet day in front of goal last time out, but the 26-year-old is expected to lead the line once again.

Midfielder Joshua Kitolano continues to work his way back up to full match fitness for the visitors after recently making his comeback from a muscle injury.

FC Twente possible starting lineup:

Unnerstall; Kuipers, Van Hoorenbeeck, Bruns, Salah-Eddine; Vlap, Steijn, Kjolo; Rots, Lammers, Ltaief

Sparta Rotterdam possible starting lineup:

Olij; Reith, Quintero, Eerdhuijzen, Van der Kust; Metinho, Verschueren, Clement; Mito, Lauritsen, Nassoh

We say: FC Twente 3-1 Sparta Rotterdam

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