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

RKC Waalwijk will take on VVV-Venlo this Saturday, with the two Eredivisie sides currently on the same points as they head into this weekend's fixture.

VVV occupy 13th spot in the table, while Waalwijk are one place ahead on better goal difference, having both won the same amount of games this season.

Match preview

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Waalwijk have endured a pretty poor start to the campaign, picking up just two league wins so far, while suffering a further five defeats in the 2020-21 season.

However, a shock 2-0 triumph against high-flying FC Twente last Friday means that Fred Grim's men were able to end a five-match winless streak, putting them in high spirits for Saturday's game.

During the match, Cyril Ngonge and Finn Stokkers were able to get on the scoresheet for the visitors in the first half, securing a second away win in just three games this term.

That being said, their home form this season has been extremely disappointing, with the hosts failing to pick up a single win at the Mandemakers Stadion.

Meanwhile, VVV managed to snatch a point against PEC Zwolle in a 2-2 draw last weekend, featuring a late goal from Giorgos Giakoumakis.

Despite the promising result last time round, the visitors are still winless across their last four Eredivisie away matches, picking up just one point from a possible 12.

Their last league victory came against Heracles just three games ago, with Giakoumakis once again netting the late winner.

However, if Hans de Koning's men manage a win against their opponents on Saturday, they could jump into ninth place - ahead of Utrecht who currently occupy that spot.

The last time these two clubs met was back in January earlier this year, when VVV claimed a narrow 2-1 win against their opponents.

RKC Waalwijk Eredivisie form: WDLLDD RKC Waalwijk form (all competitions): WDLLLD

VVV-Venlo Eredivisie form: DLWLLD VVV-Venlo form (all competitions): DLWLWL

Team News

Waalwijk are expected to miss just one key player heading into this game, with Sylla Sow still nursing an injury he picked up against AZ Alkmaar last month.

Besides that, Grim should have plenty of options to choose from this Saturday, and is likely to field a similar side that won against Twente last Friday.

This means that Stokkers could retain his place up front, after the striker scored in their latest 2-0 victory.

For VVV, De Koning has no injury concerns ahead of Saturday's clash, with the Dutch manager currently possessing a fully fit squad.

After their promising 2-2 draw against Zwolle last weekend, the coach could also field a similar starting XI this time around.

RKC Waalwijk possible starting lineup: Lamprou; Bakari, Meulensteen, Touba, Quasten; Venne, Anita, Tahiri; Ngonge, Stokkers, John

VVV-Venlo possible starting lineup: Kirschbaum; Pachonik, Gelmi, Swinkels, Schafer; Crooij, Post, Linthorst, Hunte; Giakoumakis, Arias

We say: RKC Waalwijk 2-2 VVV-Venlo

Currently, there is not much to separate the two sides, with both teams on the same points in the Eredivisie. Despite Waalwijk's promising result against Twente, they are known for their poor home form this term, while VVV cannot seem to pick up wins on the road - therefore a draw seems like the likely outcome.

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