Preview: Go Ahead Eagles vs. Sparta Rotterdam - prediction, team news, lineups

The away side are also without a victory this term and they will be keen to kick-start their Eredivisie campaign at the fourth time of asking.

Match preview

Go Ahead Eagles were narrowly beaten 1-0 by Groningen when the teams went head to head at the Hitachi Capital Mobility Stadion on Sunday.

In a tight affair, Jeffrey de Lange inadvertently turned the ball into his own net in the third minute and that was enough to decide the game.

Consequently, Rene Hake's men are one of three teams yet to pick up single point and occupy 16th place in the league table as things stand.

Next up for The Pride of the IJssel Kowet is the task of going up against an opposing side who have enjoyed the better of this fixture of late with eight wins in 13 games over the last decade.

Off the back of four consecutive Eredivisie defeats on their own patch, Saturday's hosts go in search of a much-needed three points in front of their fans.

Sparta Rotterdam fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat at the hands of defending champions Ajax in the sides' encounter at the Het Kasteel on Sunday.

Maurice Steijn's men more than gave a good account of themselves but Steven Bergwijn's 37th-minute opener proved to be the all-important moment.

De Rood-Witte Gladiatoren are currently 15th in the standings, one point and one place ahead of their next opponents who would leapfrog them should they manage to come out on top this weekend.

Having won five and drawn one of their most recent six matches on the road, Saturday's visitors will be aiming to keep their good run going away from home with a positive result in Deventer.

Go Ahead Eagles Eredivisie form:

Go Ahead Eagles form (all competitions):

Sparta Rotterdam Eredivisie form:

Sparta Rotterdam form (all competitions):

Team News

Go Ahead Eagles' Martijn Berden remains out of action with an ulnar fracture and the forward is not expected to feature in this weekend's contest.

Nineteen-year-old Jahnoah Markelo is also set to be unavailable for the home side this weekend as he continues to battle with a muscle problem.

Laurent Jans is ineligible to take part in this one having recently completed a move from Sparta Rotterdam to German lower league side Mannheim.

Koko Saito missed his side's defeat to Ajax with a knock which could see the Japanese sit out Saturday's contest as well.

Go Ahead Eagles possible starting lineup:

De Lange; Kuipers, Fontan, Idzes, Amofa; Fernandes, Rommens, Llansana, Linthorst; Lidberg, Edvardsen

Sparta Rotterdam possible starting lineup:

Olij; Pinto, Auassar, Vriends, Sambo; De Guzman, Kitolano; Van Crooy, Mijnans, Eyenga-Lokilo; Lauritsen

We say: Go Ahead Eagles 1-0 Sparta Rotterdam

Off the back of woeful starts to the new campaign, both teams know that anything short of all three points here would leave them playing catch-up so early in the season. We expect an open and exciting match with the hosts narrowly edging out their visitors to secure a hard-fought win.

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