RKC Waalwijk will travel to Rotterdam in midweek to face off against Feyenoord with their Eredivisie survival hopes hanging in the balance.
Feyenoord, on the other hand, will be aiming to solidify their grip on their Champions League qualifying spot, having slipped further behind PSV following last week’s disappointing defeat.
Match preview
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Last weekend, we witnessed arguably the game of the season as Feyenoord and PSV clashed in a thrilling top-three encounter here at Stadion Feijenoord – a match that had a bit of everything, from end-to-end action and stunning goals to late drama and heartbreak.
Unfortunately, the heartbreak was for De Trots van Zuid, as their hopes of finishing in the top two were dashed by the defending champions’ dramatic 3-2 victory, which took them within one of leaders Ajax.
The defeat brought an end to their six-match win streak in the top flight and was the first time the team tasted defeat since the start of February on the road to de Godenzonen.
However, Feyenoord did receive a slice of luck over the weekend, as Utrecht also slipped to defeat, allowing Robin van Persie‘s side to maintain their three-point cushion over the Cupfighters with just two games remaining.
That result also marked Van Persie’s first league defeat since arriving at the club, but it was the fourth consecutive home game in which his team had scored two or more goals, and they are massive favourites to get back in the win column in this match.
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In complete contrast to Feyenoord’s push for European qualification, RKC Waalwijk’s sole focus for the remainder of the campaign is securing their Eredivisie survival and extending their stay in the top flight for another season.
RKC looked to be in serious trouble last week against Heerenveen after Ion Nicolaescu cancelled out Richonell Margaret‘s early opener, but following the dismissal of Ilias Sebaoui, they capitalised on their numerical advantage to secure a vital 3-1 win.
With 17th-placed Willem II falling to Heracles, Henk Fraser‘s side closed the gap to just three points to the relegation playoff spot, but a defeat here could still confirm their relegation if the Superkruiken manage a point or better at home against PEC Zwolle.
Unfortunately, the visitors’ away form paints a grim picture in that regard, as they are winless in their last six league matches on the road (W0 D1 L4) and have conceded two or more goals in each of those encounters.
Team News
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Givairo Read gave Feyenoord a two-goal lead against PSV over the weekend, but he was sent off in the dying moments of that match and will be suspended for the final two league games of the season.
Read will be joined on the sidelines by a host of Feyenoord players who are currently out with injury, including the likes of Calvin Stengs, Justin Bijlow, Bart Nieuwkoop, Chris-Kevin Nadje and Jordan Lotomba.
RKC’s skipper Oskar Zawada returned to the squad over the weekend, and he may be joined in attack by Chris Lokesa, who made a stunning cameo off the bench against Heerenveen, setting up Yassin Oukili for their go-ahead goal in the 75th minute before netting the third of the afternoon four minutes later.
The visitors are expected to be missing at least four key players for this weekend’s clash against Feyenoord, with Yanick van Osch, Daouda Weidmann, Dario Van Den Buijs and Luuk Wouters all ruled out through injury.
Feyenoord possible starting lineup:
Wellenreuther; Zerrouki, Trauner, Hancko, Smal; Hwang, Moder, Milambo; Paixao, Ueda, Moussa
RKC Waalwijk possible starting lineup:
Spenkelink; Al Mazyani, Lelieveld, Van Gelderen, Van Eijma, Familia-Castillo; Van de Loo, Ihattaren, Oukili; Zawada, Margaret
We say: Feyenoord 3-1 RKC Waalwijk
While RKC managed a crucial victory at home last week to keep their survival hopes alive, their away form this season has been woeful, making it difficult to see anything other than a win for the hosts in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
