Looking to keep up with the unrelenting pace of league leaders PSV Eindhoven, Feyenoord will be searching for a win as they face Almere City at Yanmar Stadion on Sunday afternoon in Eredivisie.
De Zwarte Schapen were narrow victors at PEC Zwolle during their last fixture, while their foes suffered heartbreak on the continent against Serie A side Roma.
Match preview
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Almere City extended their winning run in the Eredivisie to a promising three matches last Saturday, earning maximum points on the road against PEC Zwolle, although the visitors had to be very patient for their chances to score as the hosts dominated proceedings for the most part.
Following a goalless first period, De Zwarte Schapen were finally able to breach the net of Jasper Schendelaar, with French marksman Thomas Robinet bagging his eighth of the league term to hand Almere their maiden victory on their travels since the 1-0 win over strugglers FC Volendam on January 14.
After collecting seven points from their last three Eredivisie matches, Alex Pastoor's side have moved up to 11th position in the Eredivisie standings, just two points behind eighth-placed Sparta Rotterdam and, crucially, nine points ahead of RKC Waalwijk in the relegation playoffs.
During their first-ever season in the Eredivisie, Almere are continuing to show the considerable promise they exhibited in the second tier last term, earning results off the likes of Sparta Rotterdam and Dutch giants Ajax earlier in the 2023-24 campaign.
Feyenoord's journey in European football came to a sobering end on Thursday night against Roma in the playoff round of the Europa League, with the Dutch champions being knocked out of continent competition because they were unable to hold their nerve from 12 yards out.
The clash between the Pride of the South and the Italians went to penalty kicks after Lorenzo Pellegrini's strike cancelled out the fifth-minute goal of Feyenoord's leading marksman Santiago Gimenez, with David Hancko and former Brighton & Hove Albion man Alireza Jahanbakhsh missing decisive spot kicks.
Focusing back to Eredivisie matters for the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign, Arne Slot's are currently eight games without a loss in the league but remain a sizeable 10 points behind league leaders PSV as they continue their remarkable unbeaten run during their pursuit for the Dutch crown.
Apart from the league leaders, Feyenoord possess the best away record in the Eredivisie this term, collecting 25 points from 10 league contests away from Stadio Feijenoord, last losing on the road at FC Twente on October 29.
Team News
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Almere's Christopher Mamengi was enjoying a breakthrough campaign in the Eredivisie before picking up an injury in October, with the 22-year-old not featuring since.
The hosts have a number of players who are suspended for Sunday's crucial clash, including Stije Resink and 23-year-old Peer Koopmeiners.
Feyenoord remain without the services of centre-back Gernot Trauner, who suffered a hamstring injury during the KNVB Cup success over AZ Alkmaar earlier this month.
The Pride of the South will also battle on without Justin Bijlow, who is expected back at some point in March as he recovers from a shin issue.
Almere City possible starting lineup:
Bakker; De Kamp, Jacobs, Soh, Van Bruggen, Floranus; Van La Parra, Pena, Cathline; Robinet, Van Duiven
Feyenoord possible starting lineup:
Wellenreuther; Geertruida, Beelen, Hancko, Hartman; Wieffer, Timber, Minteh, Stengs, Ivanusec; Gimenez
We say: Almere City 1-3 Feyenoord
The visit of Feyenoord will certainly be one of the highlights of Almere's season as they experience the Eredivisie for first time, but we are not expecting a successful afternoon for the hosts.
The Pride of the South need to pick themselves up following penalty heartbreak in Rome on Thursday, and we believe that they will be able to earn a win this weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Carter White
