Gameweek 10 of the 2022-23 Eredivisie season commences with Emmen and FC Volendam going head-to-head at De Oude Meerdijk on Friday evening.
Having both suffered defeat in their respective last outings, the teams will be looking to get themselves back on track with all three points here.
Match preview
FC Emmen were beaten for the eighth away game running following a 3-1 defeat against Sparta Rotterdam at the Sparta Stadion Het Kasteel on Saturday.
Dick Lukkien's men fell behind to Vito van Crooy's opener but drew level through Ole Romeny, after which goals from Bart Vriends and Mario Engels decided the contest.
Consequently, the Kannibals are still bottom but one in the Eredivisie standings, three points adrift of safety after the first nine rounds of matches.
Awaiting them next is a clash against an opposing side who have won just one of the most recent nine meetings between the teams across all competitions.
Will all of their five points this term coming on home turf, Friday's hosts take to the field in front of their fans aiming to kickstart their league campaign with a much-needed triumph.
Volendam came away empty-handed from their encounter with defending champions Ajax, which ended in a 4-2 loss at the Kras Stadion on Saturday.
Goals from Dusan Tadic, Calvin Bassey and Brian Brobbey left Wim Jonk's men with a mountain to climb, but Lequincio Zeefuik and Carel Eiting netted to set up a frantic finale, in which Davy Klaassen put the final nail in the coffin.
With just five points picked up from a possible 27 so far, Het Andere Oranje remain rooted to the foot of the league table, albeit only on goal difference.
In what is set to be a crucial battle at the bottom, Friday's visitors go in search of a crucial victory away from home, where they have not won since April.
Team News
Miguel Araujo received his marching orders in Emmen's defeat to Sparta Rotterdam, rendering the defender ineligible to take part in this one.
The hosts will also have to make do with the absence of Maikel Kieftenbeld and Mart Lieder as they remain ruled out of action with knee injuries.
Defender Jeff Hardeveld misses out through an ankle injury, while 23-year-old Metehan Guclu continues to battle with a long-term muscle problem.
Calvin Twight remains without an appearance for Volendam since March due to a knee problem which is set to keep the Dutchman out of Friday's contest.
Lequincio Zeefuik will be pushing for a place in the starting XI here after he came off the bench to good effect against Ajax last time out.
Emmen possible starting lineup:
Oelschlagel; Burnet, Veldmate, Heylen, Veendorp; Vlak, Bernadou; Mendes, Zivkovic, Romeny; Diemers
FC Volendam possible starting lineup:
Stankovic; Plat, Mbuyamba, Mirani, Murkin; Buur, Oristanio, Eiting; Douiri, Muhren, El Kadiri
We say: Emmen 2-1 FC Volendam
Both Emmen and Volendam have made poor starts to the new campaign, but a win here could be the catalyst for an upturn in form. We expect a keenly-contested affair with the home side narrowly coming away with all three points in the end.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
