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

FC Twente square off against Sparta Rotterdam on Thursday evening looking to boost their chances of claiming a top-five spot in the Eredivisie standings.

While the visitors have their sights set on the European places, Sparta head into this contest sitting seven points adrift of their next opponents.

Match preview

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At the turn of the year, Twente boss Ron Jans would have been optimistic that his side were capable of maintaining their challenge for a place in the Europa League.

However, three matches without success has left Twente seven points off the pace, putting them under pressure to return to winning ways as soon as possible.

On the back of giving up a 2-0 lead against Groningen, Jans watched his team suffer a late defeat at home to 14th-placed VVV-Venlo on Sunday.

With less than two months having passed since their shock win at leaders Ajax, this group of players will believe that they are capable of getting back on track.

Nevertheless, with Vitesse, PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord all to come over the next month, Jans will acknowledge that this is a pivotal part of the season.

The same applies to opponents Sparta, who have dropped back into the mid-table positions after suffering three defeats in four matches.

Although two of those setbacks were against Feyenoord and PSV, Henk Fraser will be frustrated that De Kasteelheren have failed to build on their previous resurgence.

On the plus side, Sparta now sit 10 points above the relegation zone after recording six wins since the beginning of November.

Lennart Thy has been the club's star man in the final third, but the German has netted just one strike in his last five appearances.

Sparta Rotterdam Eredivisie form: LWLWLL

FC Twente Eredivisie form: WLWLDL

Team News

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Fraser is expected to make changes after witnessing his side lose 1-0 to FC Utrecht at the weekend.

Bryan Smeets could be brought back into the team, while Jeffry Fortes is in line to replace Aaron Meijers.

Jans is also likely to tinker with his Twente XI, potentially handing a recall to the likes of Luciano Narsingh and Godfried Roemeratoe.

Jayden Oosterwolde, Tyronne Ebuehi and Vaclav Cerny are all missing for the visitors.

Sparta Rotterdam possible starting lineup: Okoye; Abels, Heylen, Beugelsdijk, Fortes; Burger, Auassar; Mijnans, Smeets, Duarte; Thy

FC Twente possible starting lineup: Drommel; Pleguezuelo, Dumic, Pierie, Smal; Zerrouki, Roemeratoe; Rots, Leeuwen, Menig; Danilo

We say: Sparta Rotterdam 1-2 FC Twente

With both teams heading into this fixture out of form, any result is a realistic possibility. Boasting a better attacking and defensive record, we have to go with the visitors, who possess the extra bit of quality which could decide Thursday's contest.

Top betting tip