Fresh from a stunning win in De Klassieker, Feyenoord will be looking to preserve their unbeaten status in the Eredivisie when they welcome Go Ahead Eagles to Stadion Feijenoord on Saturday afternoon.
The hosts enjoyed a historic success at the home of Ajax last time out amid unprecedented circumstances, whilst the Eagles will be hoping to respond following a loss at PSV Eindhoven last time out.
Match preview
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Feyenoord extended their unbeaten run at the start of the Eredivisie season to six matches with a remarkable 4-0 success over Dutch giants Ajax at the iconic Johan Cruyff Arena, representing their biggest-ever win at the home of their fierce rivals, although the route to victory was nowhere near simple.
Arne Slot's men were three goals to the good on Sunday afternoon before crowd trouble led to De Klassieker being finished on Wednesday behind closed doors, meaning it technically took Santiago Gimenez three days to net a sensational hat-trick.
Following back-to-back draws against Fortuna Sittard and Sparta Rotterdam at the start of their league term, Feyenoord have blitzed past the challenges of Almere City, FC Utrecht, Heerenveen and the aforementioned Ajax, scoring a sensational 21 goals in a quartet of maximums.
A busy week awaits Slot's charges before club football pauses for October's international break, with the Pride of the South travelling to La Liga side Atletico Madrid next Wednesday in the Champions League after easing past Scottish champions Celtic in gameweek one of that particular competition.
Feyenoord's most recent defeat at their intimidating home came on August 4 in the Dutch Super Cup against PSV, with former Club Brugge man Noa Lang scoring the only goal of the contest to give Peter Bosz's side the first silverware of the term.
After recording a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Fortuna Sittard last Friday, Go Ahead Eagles were given a taste of their own medicine by early pace-setters PSV at Philips Stadion on Wednesday night.
Rene Hake's side went behind in the 21st minute due to a strike from Luuk de Jong, and the visitors had done well to enter the half-time interval just one behind. However, an early second-period capitulation saw the 33-year-old Dutchman bag a brace, with Guus Til also getting on the scoresheet.
A sixth-placed standing in the Eredivisie table suggests a very respectable start for the Eagles, although only one of their 10 points have been collected away from their De Adelaarshorst home, hinting that Saturday afternoon could be a struggle.
Defensive midfielder Philippe Rommens is enjoying somewhat of a purple patch for Hake's side at the start of this term, recording five goal contributions in just six league appearances - the 26-year-old managed only four in the entirety of the 2022-23 season.
A battle for the spot of starting striker is currently ongoing at Go Ahead, with Hake often taking a horses-for-courses approach when deciding whether Victor Edvardsen or Sylla Sow earns that berth at the focal point of the attack.
Saturday's visitors have lost their last three visits to Stadion Feijenoord by an aggregate score of 13-0, but the Eagles did record a historic success at the Eredivisie champions in April 2015, with Jules Reimerink scoring the only goal of the contest.
Team News
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Feyenoord remain without the services of goalkeeper Justin Bijlow after he suffered a broken arm in training, meaning German stopper Timon Wellenreuther will keep his place in between the sticks.
Luka Ivanusec sustained an ankle knock in the Champions League game against Celtic earlier this month, and the Croatian is not expected back in first-team action until after the international break.
Hat-trick hero Gimenez will be unable to reach double digits in terms of goals on the weekend due to a two-match suspension, so either Alireza Jahanbakhsh or Japan's Ayase Ueda will assume the central-striking role.
Go Ahead Eagles are set to be without a striker themselves on Saturday, with former Sparta Rotterdam man Finn Stokkers sidelined due to an eye injury.
Jamal Amofa returned to the starting XI on Wednesday night at PSV for the first time since getting sent off in a local derby with PEC Zwolle, and the 24-year-old should play again alongside the experienced Gerrit Nauber.
Centre-back Joris Kramer had featured in every Eredivisie match during 2023-24 before missing out on the matchday squad entirely against Eindhoven last time out, and the 27-year-old is expected to sit out once again.
Feyenoord possible starting lineup:
Wellenreuther; Geertruida, Trauner, Hancko, Hartman; Wieffer, Timber, Minteh, Stengs, Paixao; Jahanbakhsh
Go Ahead Eagles possible starting lineup:
De Lange; Deijl, Amofa, Nauber, Kuipers; Linthorst, Rommens; Adekanye, Willumsson, Edvardsen; Sow
We say: Feyenoord 4-1 Go Ahead Eagles
Feyenoord have been in sensational form over the past few weeks, and the home supporters on Saturday afternoon will be expecting nothing other than a comprehensive victory to extend their unbeaten run to seven league matches.
Go Ahead Eagles looked distinctly average in their defeat at PSV in the week, and we envisage Hake's side struggling again at another one of the Eredivisie's big hitters.
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Top tip
Carter White
