Willem IIvs.Go Ahead Eagles

Match preview

Willem II were handed a tough task on their return to the top tier of Dutch football, but they upset the odds to force a 1-1 draw against last season's runners-up Feyenoord at De Kuip on Saturday.

Conceding in the 12th minute was less than ideal for Peter Maes's men, who, however, showed great resolve to avoid going further behind before restoring parity in the final knockings through Kyan Vaesen.

Having been beaten in each of the previous six encounters, that was a first game without defeat for Willem II against their opponents from Rotterdam since a thrilling 3-2 triumph in March 2019.

As a result, De Superkruiken are now unbeaten in 11 straight competitive matches off the back of consecutive defeats against Roda and Emmen, which threatened to put their top-flight promotion in jeopardy at the time.

Fresh from surviving a daunting opening assignment, Sunday's hosts will now look to record a first win of the campaign against an opposing side who completed a league double over them during their last Eredivisie season.

Go Ahead Eagles saw their underwhelming start to the new season continue courtesy of a home 2-0 defeat against Fortuna Sittard when the teams faced off at De Adelaarshorst on Sunday afternoon.

Paul Simonis's men were still dealing with the disappointment of having been knocked out of the second round of the Conference League qualifiers by Brann before Fortuna came to town last weekend.

Go Ahead Eagles played out a first-leg goalless stalemate in Norway last month before suffering a narrow 2-1 loss in the return leg on August 1 despite taking the lead after just two minutes.

The pride of the IJssel Kowet must now get themselves back on track as soon as possible if they are to repeat a relatively successful campaign last time out, which yielded a ninth-place finish.

A change in attacking fortunes this weekend will be a good start for Sunday's visitors, who have found the back of the net just once in their three outings across all competitions this term.

Willem II Eredivisie form:

Go Ahead Eagles Eredivisie form:

Go Ahead Eagles form (all competitions):

Team News

Erik Schouten did not take part in any of Willem II's pre-season outings through injury, and the defender remains unavailable for selection.

Niels van Berkel is also out of contention for the home side due to a long-term knee injury, which has kept him on the sidelines since the turn of the year.

New arrival Kyan Vaesen will head into Sunday's game on a high off the back of a debut to remember last time out where he netted a crucial equaliser against Feyenoord.

Go Ahead Eagles' Julius Dirksen will not feature here due to a knee problem, but the 21-year-old is drawing increasingly closer to a return to action.

Norwegian Oliver Edvardsen will not make the trip to Tilburg with the visitors this weekend as he continues to nurse a foot injury.

Despite not starting any of his side's Conference League qualifiers, Luca Plogmann was given the nod in goal against Fortuna and is expected to retain his place in the XI.

Willem II possible starting lineup:

Didillon; St Jago, Behounek, Tirpan; Sigurgeirsson, Lachkar, Bosch, Doodeman; Meerveld, Sandra; Vaesen

Go Ahead Eagles possible starting lineup:

Plogmann; Deijl, Amofa, Kramer, James; Linthorst, Twigt; Adekanye, Tengstedt, Breum; V Edvardsen

We say: Willem II 1-1 Go Ahead Eagles

Go Ahead Eagles have endured a rough patch in attack of late, but we can see them finding the back of the net in this one.

Previews by email