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

The Eredivisie returns with a fresh set of absorbing fixtures as FC Twente play host to RKC Waalwijk at the Grolsch Veste Stadium on Sunday.

The hosts will head into this one seeking to get one over the visitors after suffering defeats in each of the last three meetings between the sides.

Match preview

© Reuters

FC Twente returned to winning ways in the Eredivisie last Sunday when they fought back from one goal down to secure a 2-1 win away to Go Ahead Eagles.

After Inigo Cordoba put the hosts ahead with a 39th-minute strike, Ron Jans's men upped the ante and turned the game around courtesy of goals from Ricky van Wolfswinkel and Ramiz Zerrouki.

Prior to that, Twente denied Feyenoord a fifth win on the bounce as they forced a share of the spoils when the sides met at the De Kuip Stadium on November 28.

The Tukkers are now unbeaten in each of their last four games, claiming three wins and one draw since October's 5-2 loss at the hands of PSV Eindhoven.

While Twente will be seeking to keep the juggernaut rolling and move into the upper echelons of the table, they face the daunting task of taking on an opposing side who they have failed to defeat in any of the most recent five meetings between the sides.

Similarly, RKC Waalwijk ended their winless run in the league last time out when they came from behind to secure a 2-1 victory over NEC Nijmegen.

After falling behind to Jordy Bruijn's 16th-minute strike, Jens Odgaard restored parity eight minutes later before substitute Roy Kuijpers completed the comeback with the final strike of the game in the 94th minute.

Prior to that, Joseph Oosting's men failed to pick up a win in four successive games, claiming two draws and losing two, including a humbling 5-0 defeat at the hands of Ajax on November 21.

With 25 points from 15 games, Waalwijk are currently 15th in the Eredivisie standings, two points above AZ Alkmaar just outside the Conference League playoff places.

While the Sunday's visitors will be seeking to make it two wins from two for the first time this season, they head into Sunday's game without an away win this term, claiming five draws and losing two of their seven games so far.

Team News

Twente will take to the pitch without the services of Kik Pierie and Jody Lukoki, who remain sidelined with back and knee injuries respectively.

Dutch youngster Luca Everink is set to miss his eighth consecutive game after picking up a muscle injury in the game against Groningen back in October.

With six goals and three assists in 14 games this season, Ricky van Wolfswinkel has been pivotal for Twente and the 32-year-old will be one to look out for on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Portuguese goalkeeper Joel Pereira continues his spell on the sidelines due to a hernia problem, while David Min misses out through a knee injury.

Richard van der Venne picked up a knee injury in the game against Go Ahead Eagles on October 2 and is also out of contention for the visitors, while Yassin Oukili is set to miss his fourth straight game through injury.

FC Twente possible starting lineup:

Unnerstall; Sadilek, Hilgers, Propper, Troupee; Brama, Zerrouki, Vlap; Rots, Van Wolfswinkel, Limnios

RKC Waalwijk possible starting lineup:

Vaessen; Pabai, Meulensteen, Van den Buijs; Bakari, Anita, Azhil, Gaari; Stokkers, Odgaard, Bel Hassani

We say: FC Twente 2-1 RKC Waalwijk

Waalwijk will head into the game in sky-high spirits following their win over NEC Nijmegen last time out and will be looking to keep the ball rolling. However, they have struggled to get going away from home this season and we predict the hosts will take advantage of this and end their poor run of results in the recent history of this fixture.