FC Twente are set to go head to head with FC Volendam in an Eredivisie clash on Sunday afternoon at De Grolsch Veste.
The home side will be looking to get back on track after a 1-0 defeat by Ajax in their most recent outing, while Volendam have been in good form recently, securing a 1-1 draw against AZ Alkmaar last weekend despite receiving a red card.
Match preview
© Reuters
Since suffering defeat against Feyenoord in October Twente have been in sensational form, going on a 12-game unbeaten streak leading up to their most recent affair against Ajax.
However, Ajax managed to inflict the first defeat of the new year for Twente when Mohammed Kudus dispatched the decider in the 70th minute to send his side through to the next round and knock Twente out of the KNVB Cup.
Ron Jans has relied on the sturdiness of his backline this season to shut out the opposition, as his side have kept the most clean sheets in the Eredivisie, amassing a total of 10 so far.
His side have also made De Grolsch Veste a fortress this season, winning eight and drawing two of their 10 home games - a record that sees Twente rank first in the division in the home table.
While they do boast a solid defensive record, Twente are no stranger to finding the back of the net themselves, holding the sixth-highest goal tally in the division.
However, they do not possess the potency of the top-four scoring sides in the division, having netted 13 fewer goals than Feyenoord, who are the fourth-highest scorers in the Eredivisie.
Although, Twente will be wary of the threat that Volendam can pose in this matchup, as the last time these two sides faced each other this season Lequincio Zeefuik gave Volendam all three points as they beat Twente 1-0 at home.
Meanwhile, Volendam have enjoyed a successful start to 2023 as they have dramatically turned their fortunes around in the league by winning three games this year already in comparison to the single victory they had picked up in 2022, lifting themselves into 15th in the Eredivisie.
In their most recent outing against AZ Alkmaar, they got themselves into a promising position as a header by Xavier Mbuyamba saw them take the lead in the 62nd minute, however, a red card to Gaetano Oristanio saw the hosts' grip on victory slip as Jens Odgaard equalised shortly after, leaving the scores level at 1-1 at full time.
It has been the elevation of finishing within the Volendam camp that has assisted them in their recent results, as Wim Jonk's side have been unable to keep a clean sheet in their previous six matches, despite having only lost once.
Against a side with the defensive qualities of Twente, it will be important for Volendam to be clinical with any opportunities that are presented in this game, as the hosts will not give many chances away at home.
Carel Eiting will be vital for any attacking success that Volendam may have in this matchup, as the 24-year-old has created 11 big chances in the Eredivisie this season, ranking him third in the division.
Team News
With no fresh injuries or suspensions to the side that started against Ajax midweek, Ron Jans is expected to make no changes to his side.
Mees Hilgers and Michal Sadilek both sustained injuries in the 1-1 draw against FC Groningen and are set to miss Eredivisie action until early March.
Max Bruns and Anass Salah-Eddine will therefore keep their place in the side, after being selected for Twente's last game.
Volendam are set to only make one change to the side that drew against AZ Alkmaar in their last outing.
Walid Ould-Chikh is expected to come into the side as Gaetano Oristanio's red card in the Alkmaar match means that he will be unavailable for selection.
FC Twente possible starting lineup:
Unnerstall; Brenet, Burns, Propper, Smal; Salah-Eddine, Zerrouki; Cerny, Steijn, Misidjan; Wolfswinkel
FC Volendam possible starting lineup:
Stankovic; Plat, Mbuyamba, Flint, Mirani, Murkin; Eiting, Twigt; Ould-Chikh, Silva; Muhren
We say: FC Twente 2-0 FC Volendam
While Volendam have had a bright start to the new year, we believe that Twente will manage to overcome the away side in this affair.
Twente will dominate the possession and look to create goalscoring opportunities through consistent attacks while Volendam will set up compact and will seek to harm their opponents in transitions.
However, we think that Twente will pierce through Volendam's leaky defence and will finish 2-0 victors.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
