Preview: Emmen vs. FC Twente - prediction, team news, lineups

Emmen are set to welcome FC Twente on Saturday, with the home side still searching for their first win of the season, having lost 3-2 to Utrecht in their last game of the calendar year.

Twente, meanwhile, will be hoping to bounce back from their 2-0 loss against Sparta Rotterdam last time around, recording just their fourth defeat of the season.

Match preview

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After a hugely disappointing start to the 2020-21 season, having suffered nine defeats in their opening 14 matches, Emmen find themselves at the bottom of the Eredivisie table on just five points.

As previously mentioned, their latest result saw a 3-2 loss against Utrecht, despite both Miguel Araujo and Lucas Bernadou getting on the scoresheet for the hosts.

However, they did manage a promising 0-0 draw against PEC Zwolle in their previous game, as well as progressing to the next round of the KNVB-Beker last month, after winning 2-1 against Groningen.

If Emmen do secure an unlikely win this weekend, they could overtake ADO Den Haag into 17th place, just one point below the relegation playoffs.

Twente will also be frustrated with their latest league result, with Mario Engels and Deroy Duarte scoring in their recent loss against Sparta.

Despite their shock 2-1 win over Ajax in early December, they have since lost two of their previous three league matches - including a frustrating 3-1 defeat against AZ Alkmaar, with teenager Jayden Oosterwolde being sent off in the late moments of the game.

This means that Twente currently occupy seventh place in the table, having picked up seven wins along with four defeats thus far.

However, it is worth mentioning that their away record has been impressive this campaign, with the visitors looking to make it four away wins on the bounce when they travel to Emmen on Saturday.

These two teams last met just three months ago, when Emmen managed to pick up a point against Twente in a 1-1 draw.

Emmen Eredivisie form: LDDLLL Emmen form (all competitions): LDWDLL

FC Twente Eredivisie form: LWLWLD

Team News

Emmen have just one injury concern heading into this match, with Luciano Carty currently ruled out for the home side.

Dick Lukkien is expected to make a few changes to the team that lost against Utrecht, perhaps bringing in both Nikolai Laursen and Michael de Leeuw.

As for Twente, the visitors will be without Thijs van Leeuwen, with the 19-year-old currently nursing a groin injury.

Ron Jans should also make a couple of changes to the starting XI that lost against Sparta last time round, including selecting Jesse Bosch.

Emmen possible starting lineup: Telgenkamp; Van Rhijn, Araujo, Bakker, Cavlan; Bijl, Jansen, Veendorp; Laursen, De Leeuw, Pena

FC Twente possible starting lineup: Drommel; Ebuehi, Pleguezuelo, Pierie, Oosterwolde; Bosch, Brama, Roemeratoe, Cerny, Danilo, Menig

We say: Emmen 1-3 FC Twente

Despite their recent losses, Twente should be able to secure a comfortable victory away at Emmen, with the hosts currently struggling at the bottom of the table.

Although the home side are expected to get at least one past their opponents, it is unlikely that they will be able to pick up a positive result come Saturday.

Top betting tip