Two teams at opposite ends of the Eredivisie standings are set to face off this weekend when FC Twente take on NAC Breda at De Grolsch Veste on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts are in fourth place in the league standings with 11 points after the first six games of the season, while the visitors are fourth from the bottom with six points.
Match preview
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After stumbling out the starting blocks, picking up just five points from their first four league games, Twente have begun to find a good rhythm and are now aiming for a fifth consecutive match without defeat in all competitions.
Since returning from the international break, the Tukkers have earned seven points in three league matches, including a 1-1 draw with PEC Zwolle and back-to-back wins over Heerenveen and Almere City, scoring six goals in the two victories while maintaining consecutive clean sheets.
Joseph Oosting's side also kicked off their Europa League campaign on a fairly positive note, coming from behind to salvage a point against a fancied Manchester United at Old Trafford in midweek.
Key to the Reds' early season success has been the form of Sem Steijn, who has already netted six goals in as many games and is currently the league's top scorer, two ahead of PSV's Hirving Lozano.
Twente are unbeaten at home this season with two draws and a win in three, and have not tasted defeat at De Grolsch Veste in any competition since February 18, when they were edged 1-0 by Utrecht.
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Meanwhile, after a dramatic opening-week victory over Dutch giants Ajax, newly promoted NAC failed to follow up on that result, managing just one win in four Eredivisie match since, which sees them enter gameweek seven just two points clear of the bottom three.
That victory came against Fortuna Sittard directly after the international break, but on either side of that, the Yellow Army suffered defeats to Heerenveen and Feyenoord, conceding six goals while failing to trouble the scoring.
Indeed, tightening up in defence will be vital to Carl Hoefkens' side's chances of survival this season, as the 13 goals they have already shipped is the third most in the division, only behind basement clubs Almere City and RKC Waalwijk.
The visitors' both away games this season have ended in defeat, a trend which is in keeping with their previous stint in the top flight during 2018-19, when they only earned five points on the road across the entire season.
Team News
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Younes Taha is only expected to return to action next year after suffering a broken leg last season and central midfielder Michal Sadilek is out for the foreseeable future, also with an injured leg.
Given his excellent record this term, Steijn will almost certainly continue in the number 10 role this weekend with Sam Lammers and Mitchell Van Bergen likely to lead the line.
NAC are expected to be without at least three players for this match with Clint Leemans (foot), Roy Kuijpers (back) and Raul Paula (knee) all sidelined at present with long-term injuries.
However, Carl Hoefkens will be able to welcome Lars Mol back to the squad this weekend, with the defender having now completed his suspension for the red card he received against Utrecht last month.
FC Twente possible starting lineup:
Unnerstall; Van Rooij, Hilgers, Bruns, Salah-Eddine; Regeer, Eiting, Rots, Steijn; Van Bergen, Lammers
NAC Breda possible starting lineup:
Bielica; Valerius, Greiml, Van den Bergh, Kemper; Balard, Jensen; Garbett, Janosek, Sauer; Omarsson
We say: FC Twente 2-0 NAC Breda
Twente will enter this match with huge confidence following a spirited second-half performance against Man United in midweek, and given their record here at De Grolsch Veste, we feel the hosts will secure all three points in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Devesh Jaganath
