MX23RW : Thursday, October 10 19:12:34| >> :600:566111:566111:
[monks data]
Waalwijk logo
Eredivisie | Gameweek 6
Sep 21, 2024 at 5.45pm UK
Mandemakers Stadion
Sparta Rotterdam logo

RKC Waalwijk
1 - 2
Sparta

Margaret (66')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Nassoh (32'), Neghli (55')
Verschueren (26')

Preview: RKC Waalwijk vs. Sparta Rotterdam - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Eredivisie clash between RKC Waalwijk and Sparta Rotterdam, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Looking to shake off what has been an abysmal start to the new Eredivisie campaign, RKC Waalwijk entertain the challenge of Sparta Rotterdam at the Mandemakers Stadion on Saturday.
 
Albeit for only the first time this term, the away side were also beaten last time out and now go in search of an immediate return to winning ways this weekend.


Match preview

RKC Waalwijk coach Henk Fraser on August 8, 2024© Imago

Waalwijk were on the receiving end of a 3-0 defeat for the second game running as they went down without a whimper in Sunday's meeting against newly-promoted Willem II at the Koning Willem II Stadion.
 
That was a fifth defeat on the bounce for Henk Fraser's men, who remain the only side without a point to their name after five matches and currently sit bottom of the Eredivisie table as a result.
 
RKC's defensive record of 15 goals conceded is also the worst in the division, while no side has scored fewer than their two goals, highlighting their deficiencies at both ends of the pitch so far.
 
Given how Waalwijk ended last season, some would argue that their current struggles have been a long time coming, as they only just about avoided relegation on goal difference after picking up eight points from the last 27 available.
 
With games against Ajax and FC Twente on the horizon, Saturday's visitors could really do with a positive result this weekend to avoid being left too far behind in the battle for survival.

Sparta Rotterdam coach Jeroen Rijsdijk on August 29, 2024© Imago
 
Sparta Rotterdam kicked off the new campaign with three draws on the bounce before finally picking up their first win against Willem II to head into the international break without defeat.
 
However, Jeroen Rijsdijk's men saw their unbeaten start come to an end against Go Ahead Eagles when the teams went head-to-head at the Sparta Stadion Het Kasteel on Sunday.
 
Goals in either half from Jakob Breum and Victor Edvardsen left De Rood-Witte Gladiatoren with a mountain to climb before Shunsuke Mito pulled one back 10 minutes from the end of regulation time.
 
Sparta only had themselves to blame for coming away empty-handed last time out after dominating large spells of the contest with more than twice as many shots on target as their opponents.
 
Unbeaten in each of their last six meetings against this weekend's opponents, Saturday's visitors will be confident of securing a positive result having not lost consecutive league games since February.

RKC Waalwijk Eredivisie form:
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • L

Sparta Rotterdam Eredivisie form:
  • D
  • D
  • D
  • W
  • L


Team News

Sparta Rotterdam's Mike Eerdhuizen on August 3, 2024© Imago

Thirty-two-year-old Richard van der Venne is set to sit out a third straight game for RKC Waalwijk since coming off with a first-half injury against Go Ahead.
 
Long-term absentee for the home side, Nouri El Harmazi, is still a considerable way off making his comeback from a shoulder injury.
 
Midfielder Yassin Oukili earned an immediate recall to the starting lineup on his return from a one-game suspension and should get the nod here as well.
 
Shunsuke Mito could be rewarded with a place in the lineup for Sparta Rotterdam after making an instant impact within two minutes of coming off the bench last time out.
 
Venezuelan Teo Quintero was fit enough to be named amongst the substitutes against Go Ahead Eagles, but it remains to be seen if he will be fit enough to play any part this weekend.


RKC Waalwijk possible starting lineup:
Houwen; Meijers, Van den Buijs, Van Ejima, Lelieveld; Oukili, Roemeratoe; Lokesa, Margaret, Cleonise; Zawada

Sparta Rotterdam possible starting lineup:
Olij; Reith, Meissen, Eerdhuijzen, Van der Kust; Baas, Clement; Neghli, Verschueren, Nassoh; Lauritsen



SM words green background

We say: RKC Waalwijk 0-2 Sparta Rotterdam

Waalwijk have been shambolic at the back, and while Sparta are yet to really get going in attack, we can see the away side exploiting their hosts' frailties to come away with maximum points.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


ID:553349:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect7686:

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: RKC Waalwijk vs Sparta

RKC Waalwijk
10.5%
Draw
10.5%
Sparta Rotterdam
78.9%
19
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Sparta Rotterdam coach Jeroen Rijsdijk on August 29, 2024
Read Next:
Sunday's Eredivisie predictions including Sparta vs. Go Ahead Eagles
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1PSV EindhovenPSV88002752224
2FC UtrechtUtrecht7610148619
3AZ AlkmaarAZ85121751216
4FC Twente8422147714
5Ajax6411134913
6Feyenoord7340147713
7Go Ahead Eagles84131010013
8Willem II8323119211
9Sparta RotterdamSparta824299010
10Fortuna SittardSittard8314813-510
11Groningen8233111109
12Heracles8233713-69
13NAC BredaNAC Breda8305614-89
14PEC Zwolle8224811-38
15Heerenveen82241017-78
16NECNijmegen821579-27
17Almere CityAlmere City8026219-172
18RKC WaalwijkRKC Waalwijk8008522-170


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!