Preview:RKC Waalwijk vs. SBV Excelsior - prediction, team news, lineups

Aiming to avoid a third defeat in a row, Eredivisie newcomers SBV Excelsior visit the Mandemakers Stadion on Sunday to face off against RKC Waalwijk.

The home side, on the other hand, are looking to get back to winnings ways having failed to win any of their opening four games of the current campaign.

Match preview

RKC Waalwijk had to settle for a share of the spoils away from home for the fourth game running following a 2-2 stalemate against Vitesse on Saturday.

Joseph Oosting's men took a commanding two-goal lead thanks to strikes from Florian Jozefzoon and Iliass Bel Hassani before Matus Bero and Ryan Flamingo netted 10 minutes apart to restore parity.

Despite an underwhelming tally of three points from four games, Waalwijk currently sit 14th in the league table, two points clear of relegation danger.

Next up is the challenge of an opposing side who have only come out on top in one of the most recent five meetings between the teams since 2014.

Unbeaten in five of their last six games on home turf, Sunday's hosts will be confident of securing a positive result here to kickstart their league campaign.

Excelsior were on the receiving end of a 4-0 defeat against FC Twente when the teams faced off at De Grolsch Veste on Wednesday evening.

First-half goals from Denilho Cleonise and Christos Tzolis left Marinus Dijkhuizen's men with a mountain to climb after which a second-half double from Vaclav Cerny put the result beyond doubt.

Nonetheless, the Kralingers are seventh in the standings and have made a decent start to life back in the Dutch top-flight after a fairly lengthy absence.

Off the back of four defeats from their last five games away from home, Sunday's visitors will be keen to turn their fortunes around on the road, starting with this weekend's trip to Waalwijk.

Team News

Florian Jozefzoon was on target in his start of the new campaign last time out, and the Suriname international will be looking to deliver the goods once again.

Having failed to score a league goal throughout last season, Iliass Bel Hassani has already netted twice this term, making him one to keep an eye on.

Excelsior's Nikolas Agrafiotis is expected to miss the game due to a muscle injury which has seen him miss each of the last nine matches on the bounce.

Having shipped 10 goals in the previous two matches leading up to this weekend's contest, Marinus Dijkhuizen could contemplate making some alterations to his backline.

RKC Waalwijk possible starting lineup:

Vaessen; Lutonda, Nieuwpoort, Adewoye, Gaari, Lelieveld; Vroegh, Oukili, Bel Hassani; Jozefzoon, Kramer

SBV Excelsior possible starting lineup:

Van Gassel; Tjoe, El Yaakoubi, Nieuwpoort, Horemans; Ayoub, Eijgenraam; Driouech, Goudmijn, Baas; Kharchouch

We say: RKC Waalwijk 2-1 SBV Excelsior

Waalwijk have made a poor start to the new season and will need to get up and running sooner rather than later. We fancy them to take advantage of Excelsior's defensive porosity and come away with all three points.

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