Feyenoord will be looking to use their KNVB Beker last-16 tie with NEC as a way of getting back on track ahead of the resumption of league action.
The Eredivisie leaders have dropped points in their most recent two outings, and they now face opponents who occupy 10th spot in the top flight.
Match preview
© Reuters
Even with Feyenoord sitting at the top of the Eredivisie table, a reward for their consistency this campaign, Arne Slot would have had concerns regarding a blip at some stage.
That has materialised since the resumption, his side drawing four of their six league fixtures, but sharing the spoils with PSV Eindhoven on Sunday felt like a victory by the end of the match.
Trailing 2-0 heading into the final 10 minutes, Feyenoord netted twice to secure a 2-2 draw, Alireza Jahanbakhsh scoring both goals to maintain his side's two-point lead over AZ Alkmaar.
With the bigger threat coming from a resurgent Ajax, it felt imperative that Feyenoord extended their unbeaten league run to 13 games, particularly with a showdown with AZ scheduled for less than two weeks time.
De club aan de Maas reached this stage of the competition with a 3-1 victory over PEC Zwolle, shaking off conceding an early opener to prevail by a 3-1 scoreline.
Meanwhile, NEC progressed through to the last 16 courtesy of defeating Fortuna Sittard and Almere City, the latter going down as 4-0 in the history books.
That victory was part of a four-match unbeaten run in all competitions, but Roger Meijer's team have now gone three matches without success in the top flight.
Losing 2-0 to Feyenoord in this exact fixture started that streak, while they succumbed to a 1-0 scoreline at Go Ahead Eagles at the weekend.
NEC have only won one of their last nine fixtures against Eredivisie opposition on the road, that coming at bottom-placed Cambuur on November 4.
Team News
© Reuters
Given the quick turnaround and priorities being elsewhere, Slot will make a number of alterations to his Feyenoord XI.
Oussama Idrissi, Jakanbakhsh and Danilo will all expect to feature in the final third, while Jacob Rasmussen may start in the middle of the backline.
Goalkeeper Ofir Marciano will hope to deputise between the sticks, and Mohamed Taabouni is pushing for a first start for the club in a creative role.
Alhough Meijer is likely to stick with the majority of his starting lineup, changes are still expected to be made.
Calvin Verdonk could feature at centre-back or left-back, with Anthony Musaba in line for his first start since a switch from Metz.
Feyenoord possible starting lineup:
Marciano; Pedersen, Rasmussen, Hancko, Lopez; Wieffer, Timber; Idrissi, Taabouni, Jakanbakhsh; Danilo
NEC possible starting lineup:
Cillessen; Van Rooij, Marquez, Verdonk, Karouani; Schone, Proper; Tavsan, Tannane, Cissoko; Musaba
We say: Feyenoord 3-1 NEC
With Feyenoord expected to make changes, NEC will sense an opportunity to put their more illustrious hosts under pressure. Nevertheless, we can only back the home side to come through with the victory as they bid to move closer to silverware.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
