Matchday 21 in the Eredivisie will kick off under the floodlights at De Adelaarshorst on Friday night when Go Ahead Eagles play host to Sparta Rotterdam.
The hosts will enter this contest in seventh place in the league standings with 32 points after 21 games, while the visitors are 16th with 20 points in 22 matches.
Match preview
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Go Ahead Eagles will be looking to get back to winning ways in this match after letting a one-goal lead slip away before eventually losing 4-2 on the road to Heracles last weekend.
That loss followed a six-match unbeaten run in the top flight for the pride of the IJssel (W4 D2), while they also booked their spot in the final four of the KNVB Beker during that period with victories over Noordwijk and Twente.
Notably, despite the defeat to HAFC last time out, the result marked the ninth consecutive league match in which Paul Simonis's side scored two or more goals dating back to their 1-0 loss to Heerenveen in early November.
However, that match also revealed Kowet's defensive frailties and took their goals conceded tally to 34 for the season, which is more than the likes of their upcoming opponent, who are currently in the bottom three in the league standings.
Still, the hosts will be confident in their chances of picking up all three points here owing to their impressive home record of four wins and two draws in their last six matches at De Adelaarshorst.
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Meanwhile, after finishing above Go Ahead Eagles and comfortably inside the top half last season, Sparta Rotterdam have experienced a major drop-off this term, currently sat in the sole relegation playoff spot after 22 matches.
De Kasteelheren were building up a nice run of results, notching up two wins and two draws in succession since the start of the year, but that unbeaten run was halted last weekend when they were beaten 3-0 on the road by Feyenoord.
While Sparta will also be aiming for a swift return to the win column, their record in this fixture has not been great in recent times, as they lost the reverse fixture 2-1 at Sparta-Stadion Het Kasteel in September, extending their winless run against this opponent to three.
Additionally, the visitors have won just three of their 11 Eredivisie league matches on the road all season - only one of which has come since Maurice Steijn took charge of the club at the start of November.
Team News
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Go Ahead Eagles could be without two players for this match, with Soren Tengstedt definitely ruled out owing to a leg injury, while Finn Stokkers, who has missed the last nine games, is still flagged as doubt.
Since Oliver Edvardsen's departure to Ajax during the winter transfer window, Jakob Breum has stepped up with four goals in his last four league games, and he will almost certainly continue in the number 10 role this week in support of Victor Edvardsen.
Despite featuring on the bench in the last five matches, Jonathan de Guzman has not played at all since returning from injury, and he will be hoping to get a few minutes under his belt this weekend.
With no fresh injury concerns, Steijn may consider sending out an unchanged 11 this week, with Tobias Lauritsen leading the line, while Kristian Hlynsson, Mitchell van Bergen and Shunsuke Mito will provide support from the midfield.
Go Ahead Eagles possible starting lineup:
Wellenreuther; Nieuwkoop, Beelen, Hancko, Hartman; Moder, Hwang, Timber; Paixao, Carranza, Moussa
Sparta Rotterdam possible starting lineup:
Olij; Bakari, Young, Eerdhuijzen, Van Aanholt; Clement, Eiting; Mito, Hlynsson, Van Bergen; Lauritsen
We say: Go Ahead Eagles 2-1 Sparta Rotterdam
While Go Ahead Eagles suffered a somewhat unexpected defeat to Heracles last week, they have been solid at home this season, unbeaten in their last six matches, including four wins and two draws, and we feel they will add another victory to that record this weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Devesh Jaganath
