Aiming to go one better than a runners-up finish last time out, Feyenoord will raise the curtain on their 2024-25 Eredivisie journey on Saturday afternoon when they welcome Willem II at De Kuip.
While Feyenoord have established themselves as a mainstay in Dutch football, their visitors this weekend only just regained promotion to the top flight and will be keen to find their feet as soon as possible.
Match preview
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Feyenoord spent the majority of the 2023-24 Eredivisie season in pursuit of PSV Eindhoven at the top but ultimately had to relinquish their domestic crown with two league games left to spare.
Coached by current Liverpool boss Arne Slot at the time, De Stadionclub fell seven points shy of their successors, although it was not for a lack of trying as they racked up their highest-ever points tally with 84.
The Rotterdam-based side ended last season unbeaten in 14 straight matches across all competitions, winning each of their last seven league matches either side of a 1-0 victory over NEC Nijmegen in the KNVB Beker final.
Feyenoord's aforementioned cup triumph saw them set up a Johan Cruyff Shield matchup against PSV on Sunday, when new boss Brian Priske made a positive start to life by claiming a penalty-shootout win after a thrilling 4-4 draw in regulation time.
Having led Sparta Prague and Midtjylland to league glory in the Czech Republic and Denmark respectively, Priske will be looking to hit the ground running with his new employers and emerge champion of a third different country in five years.
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Willem II were defeated in the promotion playoffs two seasons ago but recovered superbly to secure the Eerste Divisie title last time out, fending off the challenge of Groningen.
Despite winning just one of their final four matches, Peter Maes's men finished four points clear at the summit to confirm a return to the top tier of Dutch football following a two-year absence.
De Superkruiken endured a largely disappointing Eredivisie campaign during their last showing in 2022, when they finished 17th in the standings while also conceding the most goals.
A trip to Rotterdam this weekend certainly represents a tough reintroduction back to life in the top flight, and Willem II will need to rise to the occasion if they are to come away with a positive result.
To do so, Saturday's visitors must snap a dismal run of six consecutive defeats against their hosts—five of which have ended without them finding the back of the net—since September 2019.
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Team News
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Quilindschy Hartman misses out for Feyenoord through a knee injury, while fellow defender Gijs Smal is ruled out with a calf problem.
Austria international Gernot Trauner suffered a muscle injury during the European Championships and will not feature for the home side.
Last season's leading goalscorer Santiago Gimenez wasted no time in getting off the mark this term with his double against PSV last time out.
Amid interest from La Liga outfit Atletico Madrid, David Hancko's future continues to hang in the balance, but he is expected to start here.
Erik Schouten missed pre-season for Willem II through injury, and the 32-year-old is still facing an extended spell on the sidelines.
Niels van Berkel will also sit out Saturday's game for the away side as he awaits his first appearance since December, having been ruled out with a knee problem.
Feyenoord possible starting lineup:
Wellenreuther; Hancko, Beelen, Geertruida; Lopez, Zechiel, Zerrouki, Nieuwkoop; Paixao, Stengs, Gimenez
Willem II possible starting lineup:
Didillon; Nizet, Mathijsen, Behounek, St Jago; Meerveld, Sandra, Bosch, Doodeman; Lachkar, Vaesen
We say: Feyenoord 3-1 Willem II
The gulf in quality between both teams only points to one outcome - a win for Feyenoord.
We fully expect the home side to cruise to a routine victory and get their league season underway on a winning note.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adepoju Marvellous
