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

Sparta Rotterdam and RKC Waalwijk resume Eredivisie action on Saturday when they go head-to-head at the Sparta Stadion Het Kasteel on Saturday.

The home side played out a share of the spoils in their most recent league outing, while the visitors secured a third victory in four matches.

Match preview

Sparta Rotterdam snapped a two-game losing run with a goalless stalemate against Go Ahead Eagles as the teams faced off at De Adelaarshorst on Sunday,

Jeroen Rijsdijk's men had the larger share of the ball possession and territorial advantage but were unable to convert their dominance into anything significant.

As a result, De Kasteelheren remain seventh in the Eredivisie table, two points clear of PEC Zwolle in the race for the final continental spot.

On the horizon next is the task of facing off against an opposing side who have only been victorious in one of the last five editions of this fixture.

However, that solitary victory did come in the most recent encounter back in August, when Saturday's hosts were on the receiving end of a narrow 1-0 defeat.

Waalwijk just about fended off the threat of FC Volendam courtesy of a hard-fought 2-1 triumph in Saturday's game at the Mandemakers Stadion.

Henk Fraser's men went into the interval with a narrow advantage thanks to David Min's opener, but they were pegged back by Benaissa Benamar, after which Yassin Oukili grabbed a late winner.

Having picked up nine points from eight matches so far, RKC sit 10th in the standings, outside the top half only by one point with a game in hand.

Currently with the fewest goals scored away from home in the division, Saturday's visitors will need to up the ante at the attacking end of the pitch to stand any chance of coming away with a positive result.

Team News

Sparta's Mike Eerdhuijzen is ruled out of this weekend's contest with a knee injury, while Koki Saito misses out through a thigh problem.

Sergi Rosanas is also a guaranteed absentee for the home side as he remains without an appearance since early September due to a muscle injury.

Waalwijk goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen suffered a head injury earlier this month and he is now set to sit out a third consecutive game as a result.

Twenty-two-year-old Moroccan Yassine Oukili will need to be wary of his discipline having already been booked three times in eight matches.

Sparta Rotterdam possible starting lineup:

Olij; Van der Kust, Velthuis, Vriends, Bakari; Kitolano, De Guzman; Clement, Verscheren, Neghli; Lauritsen

RKC Waalwijk possible starting lineup:

Houwen; Gaari, Adewoye, Van den Buijs; Lelieveld, Roemeratoe, Oukili, Meijers; Lokesa, Kramer, Min

We say: Sparta Rotterdam 2-1 RKC Waalwijk

Sparta have lost just one of their last eight home matches and are proving to be a tough nut to crack in front of their fans. We are tipping the hosts to come away with maximum points in the end.

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