Heerenveen and Sparta Rotterdam raise the curtain on the 2022-23 Eredivisie season with a meeting at the Abe Lenstra Stadion on Friday evening.
Both teams will be looking to kick off their respective campaigns on a winning note to help set the tone for the remainder of the season.
Match preview
Heerenveen wrapped up their preparations for the new campaign in grand style courtesy of a 3-1 victory over the newly-promoted Excelsior on Saturday.
Goals in both halves from Joost van Aken either side of Amin Sarr's strike rendered Luuk Admiraal's consolation inconsequential and got the job done for Kees van Wonderen's men.
Off the back of a relatively impressive eighth-place finish last time out, De Superfriezen head into the upcoming campaign with the wind in their sails.
Standing in their way on the opening day is an opposing outfit who have claimed only one win in the last eight meetings between the teams since 2017.
Having lost just one of their last 10 home games across all competitions, Friday's hosts will back themselves to secure a positive result in this one.
Sparta Rotterdam breezed past the threat of Emmen in their final warm-up friendly at the Het Kasteel which ended 3-1 on Saturday afternoon.
A first-half brace from Vito van Crooy put Maurice Steijn's men in the driving seat, and after Richairo Zivkovic pulled one back, Mario Engels put the game to bed 15 minutes from time.
De Kasteelheren, who only preserved their Eredivisie status on the final day of the just-concluded season, will now be keen to begin on a positive note this time around.
Currently on a five-game winning run away from home dating back to May 7, Friday's visitors seek to continue their fine form on enemy territory.
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Team News
Off the back of his two-goal haul last time out, 28-year-old Joost van Ake will be looking to deliver the goods for Heerenveen once again.
Amin Sarr was on target in the most recent meeting between the sides, and the Swede is one to keep an eye on having scored in his last three matches.
After coming off the bench to good effect against Emmen, Mario Engels could be rewarded with a place in the starting lineup in this one.
Following his recent arrival from Premier League giants Arsenal on a short-term basis, Omar Rekik is in line to make his Sparta Rotterdam debut.
Heerenveen possible starting lineup:
Noppert; Bochniewicz, Kaib, Van Aken, Van Beek, Van Ewijk; Tahiri, Haye, Kohlert; Sarr, Van Hooijdonk
Sparta Rotterdam possible starting lineup:
Olij; Abels, Verschueren, Vriends; Auassar, De Guzman, Eyenga-Lokilo, Meijers, Namli; Lauritsen, Van Crooy
We say: Heerenveen 1-0 Sparta Rotterdam
Both teams enjoyed decent pre-season campaigns, and they will be aiming to use that momentum to secure an opening-day win. We are anticipating an enthralling affair with the home side edging out their visitors by the odd goal.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Adepoju Marvellous
