Defending Eredivisie champions Feyenoord seek their fourth consecutive victory at De Kuip against Vitesse on Saturday.
The round nine encounter could take Arne Slot's team second in the table if they secure maximum points and results elsewhere go their way.
Match preview
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Feyenoord were held to a goalless game by Fortuna Sittard on the opening day but have since secured three consecutive wins at De Kuip.
They have netted 15 times in those three wins, more than any other team in the Eredivisie, and they seek to continue that run on Saturday.
Slot's side lost the corresponding fixture 1-0 at the backend of May, even if it came on the final gameweek of the season when the title was secured.
The Pride of the South have conceded three times in four home games, and it remains to be seen if they keep their first clean sheet in four at De Kuip.
A shutout may or may not matter, especially as Feyenoord continue to outscore opponents in the league and then some.
Vitesse look to end the host team's winning run, with the 1-0 triumph in May still fresh in their minds.
The Arnhem-based club have the sixth-best away record in the Eredivisie, with two wins bookending as many defeats at Sparta Rotterdam and Twente (both 1-0 losses).
Their last away game saw Phillip Cocu's team score three times in a 3-1 success at NEC Nijmegen, but a visit to Feyenoord is a different kettle of fish.
They head to De Kuip on the back of a two-game undefeated run, giving some momentum with four points secured from their last two games, as they held high-flying fifth-placed Excelsior to a goalless game before the international break.
Interestingly, Vitesse have claimed back-to-back wins at Feyenoord, with a goalless encounter in April 2021 giving FC Hollywood at the Rhine a commendable record in Rotterdam.
Whether they extend that undefeated run to four remains to be seen, but Vites' status as the home team's bogey side could give them the psychological edge.
Team News
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Gernot Trauner is not expected to return for Feyenoord for this game, with his knee injury keeping out the defender until next month.
Luka Ivanusec and Timo Zaal, the latter not expected to feature, are doubtful for the weekend.
Vitesse have several players absent, with Thomas Buitink's ACL anticipated to keep him out until the New Year, while Fode Fofana should return next month.
Other potentially absent players for the away side are Amine Boutrah, Mathijs Tielemans and Davy Propper, who are doubtful for this weekend.
Feyenoord possible starting lineup:
Wellenreuther; Geertruida, Trauner, Hancko, Hartman; Timber, Wieffer; Minteh, Stengs, Paixao; Gimenez
Vitesse possible starting lineup:
Room; Arcus, Oroz, Hendriks, Pinto; Van Ginkel, Meulensteen; Manhoef, Kozlowski, Regt; Hamulic
We say: Feyenoord 2-1 Vitesse
Despite their recent commendable results at Feyenoord, Slot's side should secure their first league victory over Vitesse at De Kuip since 2018.
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