Preview: Feyenoord vs. RKC Waalwijk - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts are in a fantastic position to win the league title, with just seven games to spare, while the visitors' main aim will be to qualify for the Europa Conference League.

Match preview

Feyenoord are in a very strong position to win the Eredivisie for the first time since the 2016-17 season, currently sitting top of the table, eight points clear of nearest-rivals Ajax and PSV Eindhoven.

The Rotterdam-based side have won their last seven league matches on the spin, and they have lost just once all season, with that defeat coming way back in September, in a 4-3 loss against PSV Eindhoven.

In the reverse fixture against Sunday's opponents, Arne Slot's side ran out 1-0 winners at the Mandemakers Stadion, courtesy of a second-half Danilo penalty, in what was by and large a closely-contested encounter.

As such, this weekend's match will not be easy for Feyenoord by any means, even though they have been very impressive at De Kuip in recent weeks, securing progression to the Europa League quarter-final with a 7-1 win against Shakhtar Donetsk.

That said, Slot's side did suffer a rare defeat last time out, losing 2-1 at home to Ajax in the semi final of the KNVB Beker, with Davy Klaassen's second-half goal providing the visitors with an unexpected victory.

Waalwijk are on course to better their 10th-placed finish from last season, currently sitting in eighth place with a game in hand on the vast majority of the teams around them, meaning Europa Conference League qualification is still possible.

Joseph Oosting's side have struggled on their travels, however, picking up just 11 points in 12 games, having only won once away from home since the beginning of October, defeating Heerenveen 4-1 at the end of February.

RKC's task will be made even more difficult by their very poor record against Feyenoord, having only won one of the last 25 matches between the two sides, with that solitary victory coming in the KNVB Beker way back in 2006.

That said, Waalwijk are in fairly decent form heading into the game, which should give them some confidence, winning three of their last five games, including their most recent match at home to Vitesse, with Michiel Kramer's first-half strike securing a 1-0 victory.

Feyenoord Eredivisie form:

W

W

W

W

W

W

Feyenoord form (all competitions):

D

W

W

W

W

L

RKC Waalwijk Eredivisie form:

L

W

W

L

L

W

Team News

Feyenoord will be without Lutsharel Geertruida, with the right-back set to miss a few more weeks due to a thigh injury, and so Marcus Pedersen is expected to keep his place in the team, having started the last two matches.

Justin Bijlow has been unavailable since the start of February, having fractured his wrist in training, and while he is making progress in his recovery, Timon Wellenreuther should get the nod between the sticks.

Quinten Timber is another long-term absentee with a metatarsal injury, missing the last nine games, and he is not expected to be back in time for Sunday.

Waalwijk do not have any fresh injury concerns, and Oosting is likely to stick with the team that recorded a 1-0 victory against Vitesse last time out.

Kramer is RKC's main attacking threat, having scored eight goals in 21 games this season, and the 34-year-old should continue to lead the line, being supported by Florian Jozefzoon and Mats Seuntjens from either wing, in a 4-3-3 system.

Feyenoord possible starting lineup:

Wellenreuther; Pedersen, Trauner, Hancko, Hartman; Wieffer; Kokcu, Szymanski; Jahanbakhsh, Idrissi, Gimenez

RKC Waalwijk possible starting lineup:

Vaessen; Lelieveld, Gaari, Adewoye, Lutonda; Oukili, Anita, Clement; Jozefzoon, Seuntjens, Kramer

We say: Feyenoord 3-0 RKC Waalwijk

Feyenoord have been on a remarkable run in the Eredivisie, and there is no sign of them slowing down, particularly against a team they have a very good record against, both recently and historically.

As such, we expect it to a routine victory for the hosts, and they could run away with it if they manage to get an early goal.

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