Willem II and Go Ahead Eagles meet in the Eredivisie on Saturday evening with just one point separating the two clubs in the table.
However, the visitors have collected eight more points than their hosts from their last six outings, making them the marginal favourites to move past their ninth-placed opponents.
Match preview
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When Willem II defeated PSV Eindhoven on September 25, they had collected 16 points from seven games, putting them in contention at the top of the table.
However, that superb result has proven to be their undoing with just two points coming from six matches since that occasion.
With none of the so-called big four featuring during that run, it has been a spectacular fall from Fred Grim's side, and they desperately need a response at the weekend.
Still sitting just four points adrift of fifth position, there is a feeling that one result in their favour could change everything in their bid to qualify for Europe.
Nevertheless, this is a team with absolutely no momentum having blown a lead against 10-man Heerenveen in their last contest, a capitulation capped by their own dismissal after going behind.
As for Go Ahead Eagles, they have been moving in the opposition direction of late, even if they did lose 1-0 at home to Groningen on Sunday.
Before that fixture, Kees van Wonderen's side had recorded 11 points from five games, a run which included a remarkable goalless draw away at Ajax.
Although Van Wonderen's team have failed to score in two matches, there should be nothing but positivity at De Adelaarshorst in their first year back in the top flight.
Now sitting seven points clear of the relegation zone on the back of a three-match unbeaten away record, they have the freedom to go all out for victory against their struggling hosts.
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Team News
Willem II will be without Miguel Nelom after the left-back was sent off within 11 minutes of being introduced as a substitute at Heerenveen.
Gorkem Saglam could be drafted back into the starting lineup, potentially taking the place of Max Svensson.
Go Ahead Eagles are also having to contend with player serving bans after Joris Karmer and Inigo Cordoba were both dismissed against Groningen.
Justin Bakker and Martijn Berden are in line to take their places at centre-back and on the right flank respectively.
Barring any injury issues, the remainder of the side could stay the same.
Willem II possible starting lineup:
Wellenreuther; Owusu, Michelis, Jenssen, Kohn; Roemeratoe, Saddiki; Nunnely, Saglam, Kohlert; Wriedt
Go Ahead Eagles possible starting lineup:
Hahn; Lucassen, Nauber, Bakker, Deijl; Rommens, Brouwers; Berden, Botos, Oratmangoen; Lidberg
We say: Willem II 1-1 Go Ahead Eagles
With both teams sitting in relatively close proximity to the top four, they will feel that this is an opportunity to improve their season. However, that could lead to the sides cancelling each other out, resulting in a low-scoring draw.
Top tip
Data Analysis
Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Go Ahead Eagles win with a probability of 39.43%. A win for Willem II had a probability of 34.31% and a draw had a probability of 26.3%.
The most likely scoreline for a Go Ahead Eagles win was 0-1 with a probability of 9.96%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 1-2 (8.51%) and 0-2 (6.79%). The likeliest Willem II win was 1-0 (9.16%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (12.48%). The actual scoreline of 0-1 was predicted with a 10% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted a 0-1 win for Go Ahead Eagles in this match.
