Preview: Sparta Rotterdam vs. Vitesse - prediction, team news, lineups

Both sides will be looking to bounce back from defeats last time out, with the hosts losing against AZ Alkmaar, and the visitors coming up short against Waalwijk.

Match preview

Sparta were not at their best in their trip to the AFAS Stadion to take on Alkmaar last weekend, losing 2-0, but they have made a decent start to their Eredivisie campaign, having taken eight points from their opening five games.

The Castle Lords got off to the perfect start to the campaign, recording a 2-1 victory away at PEC Zwolle, before going on to pick up an impressive point at home against rivals Feyenoord, drawing 2-2 against the reigning Eredivisie champions.

A 3-1 victory away at Heerenveen followed for Jeroen Rijsdijk's side, but they are still yet to win on home soil this season, having played out a 1-1 draw against NEC in their other match at Het Kasteel.

As such, Sunday's game serves as the perfect opportunity for Sparta Rotterdam to get their first home victory on the board, against a side they have a very impressive recent record against.

Out of their last five matches against their upcoming opponents, Sparta have won four and drawn one, coming out on top in the two most recent matches at Het Kasteel, most recently recording a pretty comfortable 3-1 victory back in March.

Vitesse have often struggled in their recent matches against the Castle Lords, which does not bode well heading into Sunday's game, and they have made a very poor start to their Eredivisie campaign.

The Vites have won just one of their opening four league matches, although that solitary victory did come away from home, winning 2-1 at FC Volendam on the opening day of the season.

In fairness, Phillip Cocu's side have had some tough fixtures to begin with, and they were not expected to take anything from their games against PSV Eindhoven and AZ Alkmaar, so they will not be overly disappointed to have lost both.

However, Vitesse's last match, a home fixture against Waalwijk, was far more winnable, and they looked very unimpressive, falling to a 2-0 defeat, with Million Manhoef being shown a straight red card on the hour mark.

Sparta Rotterdam Eredivisie form:

Vitesse Eredivisie form:

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Team News

Sparta Rotterdam will be without Sergi Rosanas, with the Spaniard being ruled out of the last match due to injury, but the right-back was not a regular starter anyway, and Said Bakari is set to keep his place in the side.

Mike Eerdhuijzen has been sidelined since sustaining an injury in pre-season, and the centre-back remains absent, with Tijs Velthuis and Bart Vriends set to get the nod.

Vitesse have two first-team players out with knee injuries, namely Thomas Buitink and Davy Propper, but they have both been long-term absentees, and Cocu does not have any fresh injury concerns to deal with.

The only change Cocu will be forced into making is at right-wing, given that Manhoef was sent off in the last match, and Fode Fofana is in line to come into the starting lineup.

Sparta Rotterdam possible starting lineup:

Olij; Bakari, Vriends, Velthuis, Warmerdam; De Guzman, Kitolano, Clement, Verschueren, Saito; Lauritsen

Vitesse possible starting lineup:

Room; Arcus, Oroz, Isimat-Mirin, Pinto; Tielemans, Meulensteen, Fofana, Van Ginkel, Boutrah; Hamulic

We say: Sparta Rotterdam 2-1 Vitesse

Sparta Rotterdam may have lost their last match, but they have otherwise looked pretty impressive in the early stages of the Eredivisie campaign.

Considering Rijsdijk's side also have a solid recent record against Vitesse, we expect them to narrowly come out on top this weekend.

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