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

RKC Waalwijk play host to Emmen on Friday evening with the opportunity to move six points clear of the Eredivisie relegation zone.

Meanwhile, the visitors head into this contest sitting 10 points adrift of their next opponents, increasing the pressure on the club to end their 21-match winless streak this season.

Match preview

© Reuters

Having recorded just two wins from their last 18 fixtures in all competitions, Fred Grim is under constant pressure to keep Waalwijk above the relegation zone.

However, on the back of draws at Vitesse and PEC Zwolle, Grim will believe that his group of players have put themselves in a good position to end their 10-game wait for another victory.

The four stalemates during that period have kept Waalwijk outside of the bottom three, but Willem II's recent win means that they have to respond against the same opponents.

On a positive note, Waalwijk have not conceded more than twice in any of their last eight outings, and maintaining that record will surely lead to more points being accumulated in the coming weeks.

While Waalwijk have not won since December 5, Emmen's two victories this season have come in the KNVB Beker, one of them being against lower-tier opposition.

Despite improving at the back of late, Dick Lukkien is aware that he is running out of opportunities to get the club back into contention for survival.

Just five goals have been conceded in four matches, but Emmen have now gone 392 minutes without getting themselves on the scoresheet in the Dutch top flight.

With 13th-placed Zwolle to follow, Lukkien knows that the upcoming double-header represents one of the best chances to end their near year-long wait for a league win.

RKC Waalwijk Eredivisie form: DDLLDD

Emmen Eredivisie form: LLDLLL Emmen form (all competitions): LLDLLL

Team News

Grim is unlikely to make many changes to the team which claimed a point at Zwolle in their last outing.

Finn Stokkers could replace Sylla Sow in the final third, but Ola John will not feature on the substitutes' bench due to injury.

Having pushed AZ all the way in their last fixture, Emmen boss Lukkien may opt to stick with the same starting lineup.

Former Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Paul Gladon could retain his place after making his debut in that contest.

RKC Waalwijk possible starting lineup: Lamprou; Bakari, Meulensteen, Touba, Quasten; Van Der Venne, Anita, Tahiri; Stokkers, Oosting, Daneels

Emmen possible starting lineup: Verrips; Rhijn, Araujo, Bakker, Cavlan; Moussa, Vlak; Pena, De Leeuw, Frei; Gladon

We say: RKC Waalwijk 2-1 Emmen

As a result of their respective winless streaks, you should not expect a high-quality encounter on Friday night. However, Waalwijk appear best placed to get maximum points on the board, potentially by the odd goal in three after a tense game.