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

Aiming to round off the year on a high, Sparta Rotterdam and RKC Waalwijk lock horns at the Het Kasteel on Thursday.

Both teams head into the contest having struggled in recent weeks and will be looking to get their seasons back on track with all three points here.

Match preview

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Sparta had to make do with a point for the second league game running following a 2-2 draw versus Vitesse on Saturday.

Henk Fraser's men trailed by two at half time thanks to a first-half brace from Nikolai Frederiksen before hitting back in the second period through two goals from Sven Mijnans.

De Kasteelheren remain bottom but one in the Eredivisie table, albeit only three points adrift of safety midway through the campaign.

Their next assignment comes against an opposing side who have emerged victorious in just one of the last eight meetings between the teams.

However, that solitary win came in October's reverse fixture where Thursday's hosts fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat.

Waalwijk were thrashed 4-1 by league leaders PSV Eindhoven on Sunday at the Mandemakers Stadion.

A brace from Yorbe Vertessen alongside strikes from Cody Gakpo and Philipp Mwene put Joseph Oosting's men to the sword.

With 15 points from 17 games to date, RKC are hovering just above the drop zone from which they are currently separated by just two points.

Only two teams in the entire division have recorded fewer points on the road than Thursday's visitors, who will need to get going on their travels.

Team News

Maduka Okoye made his return to action last time out after three games on the sidelines and the Nigerian goalkeeper is expected to retain his starting spot in what is set to be his final outing ahead of a January move to Watford.

Midfielder Bryan Smeets scored the clincher in this fixture last season and will be looking to come up trumps tor his side once again.

Richard van der Venne is ruled through a knee injury, while David Min remains without an appearance this term due to a muscle problem.

Shawn Adewoye is eligible for selection having served a one-game ban as a result of his red card versus Twente.

Sparta Rotterdam possible starting lineup:

Okoye; Masouras, Beugelsdijk, Vriends, Pinto; Abels, Mijnans, Smeets; Auassar, Emegha, Thy

RKC Waalwijk possible starting lineup:

Vaessen; Pabai, Meulensteen, Van den Buijs; Bakari, Anita, Azhil, Gaari; Stokkers, Odgaard, Bel Hassani

We say: Sparta Rotterdam 1-0 RKC Waalwijk

The sides are on a wretched run of results coming into the game so we expect a nervy and cagey affair with little goalmouth action. We are also tipping the home side to narrowly come away with all three points at the sound of the final whistle.