The final matchday of 2024 in the Eredivisie will get underway at Mandemakers Stadion where RKC Waalwijk will be playing host to PEC Zwolle on Friday evening.
The hosts are set to end the year below the dotted line, currently on six points after 16 games, while the visitors can move up to 12th place overnight with a win in this match.
Match preview
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RKC Waalwijk managed to book their spot in the third round of the KNVB Beker in midweek, when they secured a fairly straightforward 4-1 victory over lower league outfit Cambuur at home.
However, RKC now have to try and carry that momentum back to the top flight, where they have lost their last two on the bounce and are winless in their last five, dating back to their only win of the season against Almere City at the start of November.
Chief among the issues for Henk Fraser's side this season has been their leaky defence, which has shipped six goals in the last two games, taking their total to a massive 40 this term - the most of any team in the division.
The one positive for the side, though, has been the recent form of Polish striker Oskar Zawada, who scored the opener in their midweek victory, and has now struck the back net five times in his last five games.
Notably, the hosts have earned four of their six points on their home patch this season, but have conceded two or more goals in all but one of their eight matches at Mandemakers Stadion to date.
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Meanwhile, having been knocked out of the domestic cup competition in the opening round by NEC 4-3 in October, PEC Zwolle were not in action in midweek and will enter the final gameweek of the year after a full week's rest.
Last time out, Blauwvingers suffered a 1-0 defeat to Willem II at home, marking the third time in the last four league games that the side failed to score, with the only exception in that time being a 1-0 victory over Sparta Rotterdam.
Indeed, a lack of attacking output has been a major downfall for Johnny Jansen's side this season, with their 15-goal tally to date being the third-worst in the top flight behind Almere City (7) and Sparta Rotterdam (14).
Another key area Jansen will need to try and improve in the second half of the campaign is his side's away form, as they are yet to win a league game this term and last tasted victory on the road at the start of February.
Matches between these sides have typically been evenly contested, with three of the last five encounters ending level, while both sides have picked up a win apiece during that period.
Team News
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RKC could be without as many as six players for this final match of the year, with the likes of Daouda Weidmann, Dario Van Den Buijs, Yannick Van Osch and Juan Familia-Castillo all ruled out through injury.
Richard Van Der Venne (muscle) and Nouri El Harmazi (shoulder) are flagged as major doubts, but Aaron Meijers could return to the starting lineup this week, having featured on the bench against Fortuna Sittard following a spell on the sidelines.
The visitors, meanwhile, are likely to have to make do without two players for this trip to Waalwijk, with midfield duo Tristan Gooijer and Samir Lagsir both still recovering from knee injuries.
Given their lack of goals lately, Jansen may consider tweaking his front three this week, which could open up an opportunity for Younes Namli or Davy van den Berg to make the starting lineup, potentially in place of Odysseus Velanas.
RKC Waalwijk possible starting lineup:
Houwen; Al Mazyani, Van Eijma, Van Gelderen, Wouters; Roemeratoe, Oukili; Margaret, Van de Loo, Ihattaren; Zawada
PEC Zwolle possible starting lineup:
Schendelaar; Aertssen, MacNulty, Graves, Van der Haar; El Azzouzi, Fichtinger; Mbayo, Monteiro, Van den Berg; Vente
We say: RKC Waalwijk 1-1 PEC Zwolle
While RKC have been very poor this season, that victory in midweek would have given them a much-needed boost of confidence to carry into this match against an opponent that has failed to find the net in three of their last four games.
Given how leaky the hosts have been defensively, though, we feel that the visitors will get on the scoresheet in this match, but doubt there will be anything to split the sides at the full time whistle.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Devesh Jaganath
