Preview: FC Volendam vs. Cambuur - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors are all but down and need a miracle to escape the drop from this point onwards.

Match preview

A close-fought encounter against PSV Eindhoven here last week saw Volendam fall to an unfortunate 3-2 defeat.

That result ended a sensational run of form at home that has salvaged their season and kept hopes of survival alive.

In six home games since the World Cup break, Volendam picked up 16 points from a possible 18 before the PSV defeat.

After being in a perilous position going into the mid-season intermission, Wim Jonk's side are now two points above the relegation playoff spot, something which seemed impossible just a few months ago.

In the 14 games before the World Cup, Volendam had just six points and sat bottom of the standings, but a 3-0 win in the reverse fixture kickstarted their season, and they are now fancied to beat the drop.

On the other hand, Cambuur have had very little to celebrate this season, and relegation to the Eerste Divisie looks almost unavoidable now.

Two more defeats will confirm Cambuur's relegation to the second tier, ending their two-year stint in the top flight.

Being nine points adrift of Emmen who occupy the relegation playoff spot with a much worse goal difference makes the task almost insurmountable.

Sjors Ultee's side also have shown no potential of turning the season around in miraculous fashion, having now lost five in a row, conceding 18 goals in the process.

They are also comfortably the lowest scorers in the division, as their top scorer, Bjorn Johnsen with four, only joined in late January and has started just nine games.

Away form has been slightly better as Cambuur have more points on the road, but almost half of them were collected back in August.

FC Volendam Eredivisie form:

W

L

W

D

L

L

Cambuur Eredivisie form:

W

L

L

L

L

L

Team News

Volendam have a clean bill of health coming into this fixture, with no injuries or suspensions to contend with.

That has led to a very settled side, with Jonk opting not to make many tactical changes to his starting XI in recent weeks.

Benaissa Benamar coming back in to play in the middle of a back five may be one change Jonk goes for, replacing Damon Mirani.

Silvester van der Water is back in training for Cambuur after four games out and could return to the matchday squad here.

Alex Bangura is suspended though after picking up his fifth booking of the season last weekend.

Maxim Gullit is still out with a knee injury, while Robin Maulun and Felix Mambimbi are also sidelined for the visitors.

FC Volendam possible starting lineup:

Stankovic; Buur, Plat, Benamar, Mbuyamba, Murkin; Van Mieghem, Eiting, Twigt, Oristanio; Veerman

Cambuur possible starting lineup:

Ruiter; Van Wermeskerken, Mac-Intosch, Smand, Schmidt; Van Kaam, Jacobs, Hoedemakers; Foor, Johnse, Van der Water

We say: FC Volendam 3-1 Cambuur

Since January, only the top six have picked up more points than Volendam, and recent home form will have them as big favourites here.

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