Feyenoord will set out to pick up their first home win of the 2022-23 Eredivisie campaign when they play host to Emmen at the Stadion Feijenoord on Saturday.
The visiting side will be looking to make it two wins from two for the first time since April and get one against the De Stadionclub, having failed to win any of their last eight encounters since 2014.
Match preview
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Feyenoord extended their unbeaten run against RKC Waalwijk to eight games when the sides squared off last Sunday as they secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory away from home.
Following an uneventful first half at the Mandemakers Stadion, Brazilian forward Danilo kept his nerves under pressure as he converted his 68th-minute penalty to hand De Stadionclub their fifth consecutive away win in the Eredivisie.
Prior to that, Arne Slot's men kicked off their new domestic campaign with an emphatic 5-2 victory over Vitesse in their league curtain-raiser on August 7 before playing out a goalless draw with Heerenveen six days later.
Feyenoord now return to their home turf where they are currently on a run of three consecutive games without a win in the league, claiming two draws and losing once since April's 2-1 victory over Utrecht.
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On the other hand, manager Dick Lukkien will be satisfied with Emmen's start to life in the big leagues as he watches his side fight back from behind to claim a thrilling 3-2 victory over Utrecht last Saturday.
After trailing 2-1 at half time, the Rood-Witten turned in a performance of the highest quality in the second half as Rui Mendes and Jari Vlak found the target in a 20-minute spell to turn things around at De Oude Meerdijk.
Prior to that, Emmen, who finished first in the second tier last term to secure a return to the Eredivisie, were given a baptism of fire in their league opener on August 6, when they lost 4-1 against PSV Eindhoven before holding out for a 1-1 draw against Waalwijk a week later.
Next up for Saturday's visitors is the daunting task of going up against a spirited Feyenoord side who are unbeaten in their last eight encounters across all competitions, winning six and claiming two draws since July 2014.
While the Drenthe outfit will be looking to end this dry spell, they have struggled for results away from home in recent weeks, picking up one draw and losing five of their last six road games since April's 1-0 victory at FC Dordrecht.
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Team News
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Feyenoord will be without the services of newly-signed midfielder Mats Wieffer, who is set to sit out his eighth consecutive games after picking up an injury in pre-season.
Academy graduate Quilindschy Hartman is a major doubt for the home side after the Dutch defender was forced off with a 77th-minute injury at the weekend.
With his winner against Waalwijk, Danilo now has three goals in the opening three games of the season and we expect the 23-year-old forward to spearhead De Stadionclub's attack once again.
As far as Emmen are concerned, Lukkien will be unable to call upon the midfield duo of Maikel Kieftenbeld and Kyan van Dorp, who are currently recuperating from ACL and knee injuries respectively.
Veteran forward Mart Lieder has been sidelined since February through a knee problem, while strike partner Metehan Gulu is currently nursing a hamstring injury that has kept him out of action since May.
Feyenoord possible starting lineup:
Bijlow; Geertruida, Trauner, Rasmussen, Pederson; Timber, Kokcu; Dilrosun, Szymanski, Idrissi; Danilo
Emmen possible starting lineup:
Oelschlagel; Veendorp, Araujo, Veldmate, Hardeveld; Bernadou, Vlak, Mendes; Diemers, Zivkovic, Romeny
We say: Feyenoord 2-0 Emmen
Emmen have enjoyed a decent start to life in the top flight and will look to build on last weekend's victory over Utrecht. However, next up is a bogey Feyenoord side who are unbeaten in their previous eight meetings. Given the gulf in quality and experience between the two sides, we are backing the hosts to come away with all three points once again.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
