Preview: Go Ahead Eagles vs. Sparta Rotterdam - prediction, team news, lineups

Two sides yet to record a victory this term clash at De Adelaarshorst on Saturday when Sparta Rotterdam make the trip to face Go Ahead Eagles.

The home team are yet to pick up a point or even find the back of the net, while the visitors hit both of those targets last time out.

Match preview

Sparta Rotterdam recorded their first point of the new season courtesy of a 1-1 draw versus Heracles at the Het Kasteel on Saturday.

Henk Fraser's men were on course for all three points after Bart Vriends opened the scoring five minutes shy of the interval before Delano Burgzorg came off the bench to restore parity with just under 15 minutes remaining.

However, De Kasteelheren maintained their six-game unbeaten Eredivisie run on home turf, but their record on the road in that time has been a cause for concern.

Saturday's visitors, who have lost each of their last two league outings away from home without scoring in any of them, will be looking to turn their fortunes around.

Go Ahead Eagles were left empty-handed for the second game running as they suffered a 2-0 defeat against Feyenoord at De Kuip on Sunday.

Following a relatively uneventful opening period in Rotterdam, a second-half brace from Bryan Linssen put Kees Van Wonderen's men to the sword.

The pride of the IJssel Kowet are one of three teams without a goal this term and currently occupy 16th position in the standings.

Awaiting the Deventer-based outfit next is a fixture where they have struggled of late, losing five of the last six encounters.

Saturday's hosts shipped five goals in the most recent meeting in 2019, and they will be keen to show how far they have come since then.

Team News

Emanuel Emegha's involvement this weekend currently hangs in the balance after he was hauled off in the first half of his Sparta's last outing.

Adil Auassar is in line to be recalled into the starting XI after he was dropped to the bench for the aforementioned match.

Frank Ross remains on the sidelines since suffering a knee injury in the hosts' KNVB-Beker cup tie versus VVV-Venlo in January.

Sam Crowther is not expected to play any part for Go Ahead Eagles due to a heart problem which saw him make just seven league appearances last term.

Go Ahead Eagles possible starting lineup:
Hahn; Kuipers, Bakker, Nauber, Deijl; Lucassen, Brouwers, Rommens; Berden, Lidberg, Oratmangoen

Sparta Rotterdam possible starting lineup:
Okoye; Pinto, Heylen, Vriends, Abels; Auassar, Harroui, Smeets; Mijnans, Van Crooy, Thy

We say: Go Ahead Eagles 1-2 Sparta Rotterdam

Judging by their opening two encounters, Go Ahead Eagles are still adapting to life at the top level and are likely to struggle against a team of Sparta Rotterdam's experience. We fancy the visitors to edge their hosts by a slender margin and carry the day.