Sports Mole previews Sunday’s Eredivisie clash between Go Ahead Eagles and FC Twente, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Go Ahead Eagles will attempt to extend their unbeaten run to eight competitive matches when they play host to FC Twente in Saturday’s Eredivisie contest.
The visitors will be looking to get back on track after failing to win any of their last three matches since beating Feyenoord at the end of October.
Match preview
Go Ahead Eagles, who finished in the bottom half in the last two seasons, are now dreaming of European football after picking up 22 points from 13 games to leave them in the Europa Conference League playoff places.
Since suffering consecutive defeats to PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord at the end of September, Go Ahead Eagles have gone on to put together a seven-game unbeaten in all competitons, including three wins and three draws in the Eredivisie.
After claiming back-to-back wins over Vitesse and RKC Waalwijk, Rene Hake’s side were made to settle for a draw in their most recent meeting with NEC despite the fact Sylla Sow came off the bench to score what appeared to be an 88th-minute winner.
However, they were pegged back with a minute, as Mathias Ross restored parity to deny Go Ahead Eagles a second away win of the Eredivisie season.
The fifth-placed outfit will now turn their attention to Sunday’s encounter, where they will look to continue their impressive home form, having won 10 and drawn three of their last 13 home league matches since losing to AZ Alkmaar in January.
Twente, who are five points clear of their opponents, head into the weekend in fourth position after winning eight, drawing three and losing two of their 13 top-flight fixtures.
Despite sitting two points adrift of the top three, Twente were unable to record a victory in November, playing out two straight draws against Utrecht and NEC, before they fell to a disappointing 3-0 defeat in last Saturday’s home meeting with PSV Eindhoven.
PSV’s Joey Veerman and Johan Bakayoko found the net either side of a Robin Propper own goal to bring an end to Twente’s seven-game unbeaten run.
Although Twente boasts the fourth-best defensive record in the top flight, Joseph Oosting will be concerned by the fact his side have conceded three goals in both of their last two matches, while they have also gone five games without keeping a clean sheet.
After failing to win their previous three meetings with Go Ahead Eagles (D2, L1), the visitors are looking to claim their first head-to-head victory since recording a 2-1 away win in December 2021.
Go Ahead Eagles Eredivisie form:
Go Ahead Eagles form (all competitions):
FC Twente Eredivisie form:
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Team News
Hake should have the majority of his squad available to him, although he is still without long-term absentee Finn Stokkers.
After dropping down to the bench last weekend, Bobby Adekanye could return to the Go Ahead Eagles starting lineup for Saturday’s contest.
Buoyed from scoring his fifth league goal of the campaign, Sow may be presented with just his second start of the Eredivisie season.
As for Twente, they have doubts over the availability of Michel Vlap and Mitchell van Bergen after the pair missed the defeat to PSV Eindhoven.
Alec Van Hoorenbeeck, who is yet to start a league game this season, could replace Mees Hilgers, who will be unable to take his place in the side due to suspension.
After dropping down to the bench last weekend, right-back Alfons Sampsted is expected to return to the lineup for Saturday’s home fixture.
Go Ahead Eagles possible starting lineup:De Lange; Deijl, Amofa, Kramer, Kuipers; Rommens, Linthorst; Adekanye, Willumsson, O. Edvardsen, Sow
FC Twente possible starting lineup:Unnerstall; Sampsted, Van Hoorenbeeck, Propper, Smal; Kjolo, Sadilek, Steijn; Rots, Regeer, Ugalde
We say: Go Ahead Eagles 2-2 FC Twente
After failing to win any of their last three games, Twente will be desperate to return to winning ways in Sunday’s encounter.
However, we think the visitors will have to settle for a point against their hosts who have put together a 13-game unbeaten home run.For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 2.5:data
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