Preview: Vitesse vs. Willem II - prediction, team news, lineups

The home side were victorious in their season-opener last time out, while the visitors are in need of a pick-me-up following an opening defeat.

Match preview

Willem got their season off to a bad start as they were swept aside 4-0 by Feyenoord when the sides faced off on Sunday.

Goals from Bryan Linssen, Luis Sinisterra, Guus Til and Naoufal Bannis condemned Fred Grim's men to a demoralizing defeat.

Prior to that, the Tricolores had won each of their last five matches stretching back to last season, but they were sent crashing down to earth in Tilburg.

Sunday's visitors, in need of an immediate response, will aim to give their travelling supporters something to cheer about come the full-time whistle.

Vitesse edged out PEC Zwolle in a narrow 1-0 victory at the Mac3Park Stadion on Sunday to get their domestic campaign underway on Sunday.

Nikolai Baden Frederiksen was the hero of the occasion as he broke the deadlock in the 20th-minute to hand Thomas Letsch's men all three points.

Vitas were held to a 3-3 draw by Anderlecht on Thursday in the first leg of their Conference League playoff, leaving them with work to do in next week's return leg.

In the meantime, Sunday's hosts are faced with the task of going up against an opposing side who they have not lost to in any of the last eight meetings.

In three clashes within a five-month window last term, Saturday's hosts recorded a 2-1 cup victory following a 3-1 win in the league, but they were held to a goalless draw in the reverse fixture.

Vitesse Eredivisie form:

Vitesse form (all competitions):

Willem II Eredivisie form:

Willem II form (all competitions):

Team News

Emil Bergstrom was sent off in Willem's defeat to Feyenoord, and the defender will serve the first of a three-game suspension in this one.

Freek Heerkens is expected to fill in his Swedish teammate, partnering Ulrik Jenssen in the heart of the visitors' defence.

Riechedly Bazoer shook off a minor injury which he picked up in his side's opening league game to feature in midweek, all but confirming his involvement in this weekend's contest.

New signing Baden Frederiksen has come into his own of late, scoring in each of his last two games, and he will be looking to extend that run.

Vitesse possible starting lineup:

Schubert; Hajek, Bazoer, Oroz; Wittek, Tronstad, Bero, Manhoef; Gboho, Openda, Frederiksen

Willem II possible starting lineup:

Ruiter; Owusu, Jenssen, Heerkens, Kohn; Saglam, Saddiki, Spieringhs; Kohlert, Okyere Wriedt, Nunnely

We say: Vitesse 2-1 Willem II

Vitesse have struggled on their own patch in recent months, but their overall quality is unquestionable. The away side will hope to capitalise on their hosts' frailties on home turf, but we cannot envisage any other outcome than a home win.