The pick of this Sunday's Eredivisie fixtures comes from Sparta-Stadion Het Kasteel, where Sparta Rotterdam will be playing host to Feyenoord.
Both these sides are still unbeaten heading into gameweek three of the new season, with the hosts currently on two points, while the visitors are on four.
Match preview
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Sparta Rotterdam experienced a slight decline last season, slipping two places to eighth from the previous campaign while earning 10 fewer points than they did in 2022-23.
Undoubtedly, the main priority for De Kasteelheren this term will be to return to the conversation for the European qualification spots, but they will need an improvement on their first two performances this season if they are to stand any chance of cracking the top four.
The Red and White Gladiators got the season underway with an underwhelming performance, drawing goalless against Heracles at home on the opening day before playing out a 1-1 draw against Twente last weekend.
Even then, Jeroen Rijsdijk's side looked destined for defeat in the last match but managed to salvage a point thanks to a Tobias Lauritsen goal which came from virtually the last kick of the match.
However, while the hosts will know they are in for a fight on Sunday, they will gain some confidence from their home record, having only lost one of their last eight matches here in Rotterdam.
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Meanwhile, despite only losing two matches last term and earning two more points than they managed in their title-winning season in 2022-23, Feyenoord were unable to keep up with the force that was PSV and ended the campaign in second place, seven points behind the champions.
Additionally, the Pride of South also had to bid farewell to Arne Slot at the end of last season, with the Dutch tactician heading to the Premier League to replace Jurgen Klopp as the manager of Liverpool.
Now under the guidance of Brian Priske, De Stadionclub have made a mixed start to the season, dropping points in their season opener to newly promoted Willem II at home before handing PEC Zwolle a 5-1 shellacking on the road last week.
With the Farmers posting back-to-back victories in their first two games, Feyenoord will know the importance of remaining within touching distance, and another victory here will be crucial to maintaining their momentum before facing a stern test with Ajax to come next weekend.
However, while the visitors have been the dominant side in this contest in recent years - unbeaten in the last nine encounters - they were held to a 2-2 draw by this opponent at this venue last season.
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Team News
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Sparta Rotterdam have just two confirmed absentees for this match in the shape of John Kitolano, who is on personal leave, while Jonathan de Guzman is ruled out with a minor knock.
Lauritsen opened his account for the season with that crucial goal last week and should lead the line again in this one, while Arno Verschueren, Mohamed Nassoh and Camiel Neghli will provide the support from midfield.
For Feyenoord, left-back Quilindschy Hartman had to undergo surgery on a torn cruciate ligament back in March and is only expected to return to first-team training early next year.
Gernot Trauner is still sidelined with a thigh injury, while Jeyland Mitchell has completed his recovery from injury but is still a few weeks away from a return as he works to regain full fitness.
Sparta Rotterdam possible starting lineup:
Olij; Reith, Quintero, Eerdhuijzen, Van der Kust; Baas, Clement; Nassoh, Verschueren, Neghli; Lauritsen
Feyenoord possible starting lineup:
Wellenreuther; Nieuwkoop, Geertruida, Hancko, Bueno; Milambo, Zerrouki, Timber; Stengs, Gimenez, Paixao
We say: Sparta Rotterdam 1-2 Feyenoord
Feyenoord kicked off the season with a very off-colour performance against Willem II, but that may just have been due to rust, as they romped to a commanding victory last week against PEC Zwolle.
While Sparta Rotterdam are certainly no pushover on their home patch, we feel the visitors will be able to grind out a narrow victory in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Devesh Jaganath
