Looking for what would be a first league win since September, Sparta Rotterdam and AZ Alkmaar will do battle at the Sparta Stadion Het Kasteel on Sunday afternoon.
Both teams were on the wrong end of narrow defeats in their last outings, as the hosts lost 1-0 to Groningen, while the visitors came away empty-handed against Willem II.
Match preview
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Sparta Rotterdam kicked off the new season unbeaten in their opening four league matches, albeit with each of the first three ending in stalemates against Heracles, FC Twente and Feyenoord.
However, Maurice Steijn's men have gone on a rough patch since then, having managed just five points from their subsequent eight matches, including three straight defeats after their 1-0 loss to Groningen last time out.
Sandwiched in between those defeats was an emphatic 6-1 triumph over USV Hercules, which remains De Kasteelheren's only victory across all competitions in seven matches dating back to September 28.
Sparta's slump in form has seen them drop down to 16th in the Eredivisie table, albeit just one point shy of safety ahead of this weekend's clash against an opposing side who have lost just one of the last eight editions of this fixture.
Currently the only team in the division without a home victory this term, Sunday's hosts could really do with a return to winning ways in front of their fans as they look to pull away from relegation danger.
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In keeping with their blistering start last season, AZ Alkmaar were tipped as early title contenders after winning five of their opening six matches either side of a goalless stalemate against Groningen on August 25.
Maarten Martens's men finally suffered their first defeat of the campaign against Utrecht, which opened the floodgates for five defeats on the bounce before AZ snapped their losing streak with a 2-2 draw at home to Go Ahead Eagles.
That proved to be only a temporary reprieve, as the Cheeseheads would go on to lose both of their next two league encounters, most recently a shock 2-1 defeat against Willem II at the AFAS Stadion just before the international break.
Despite being in the ascendancy for large spells of the first half, AZ were hit by quickfire goals from Kyan Vaesen and Cisse Sandra four minutes apart after which Mexx Meerdink pulled one back just past the hour mark.
With barely a third of the season gone, Sunday's visitors are all but out of contention for the title and now face an uphill task in the race for Champions League or Europa League football as they currently trail fourth-place Feyenoord by eight points.
Team News
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Djevencio van der Kust is ineligible to play any part for Sparta this weekend as he continues to serve a suspension for his straight red card against FC Utrecht.
Boyd Reith came into the hosts' lineup last time out as a result of Van der Kust's absence, and the defender is expected to feature right from the off once again here.
Bruno Martins Indi and Ibrahim Sadiq are unavailable for AZ Alkmaar this weekend through muscle injuries, while Ruben van Bommel continues to nurse a foot problem.
Sem Westerveld remains out of contention with a knee injury and is ruled out for Sunday alongside fellow Dutchmen Jordy Clasie, Ernest Poku, Lewis Schouten, Lequincio Zeefuik and Zico Buurmeester.
Kristijan Belic is set to miss a fourth consecutive game with an injury he picked up in the final knockings of his side's draw against Go Ahead Eagles.
Sparta Rotterdam possible starting lineup:
Olij; Bakari, Eerdhuijzen, Young, Reith; Clement, Kitolano; Neghli, Verschueren, Kayky; Lauritsen
AZ Alkmaar possible starting lineup:
Owusu-Oduro; Kasius, Penetra, Dekker, De Wit; Kwakman, Koopmeiners; Lahdo, Mijnans, Daal; Parrott
We say: Sparta Rotterdam 1-2 AZ Alkmaar
AZ have had the upper hand in this fixture of late and will fancy their chances of securing a much-needed triumph this weekend.
While we expect Sparta to give a good account of themselves, we just about fancy the visitors to get the job done come the end of the 90 minutes.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adepoju Marvellous
