Preview: Emmen vs. RKC Waalwijk - prediction, team news, lineups

Emmen play host to RKC Waalwijk on Sunday afternoon aware that victory will pull their opponents back into a relegation battle.

However, the home side are currently seven points adrift of safety and 11 points behind their next Eredivisie opponents, heaping the pressure on Dick Lukkien and his squad.

Match preview

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Having claimed nine points from their last five fixtures, Emmen have full belief that they can pull off one of the greatest escapes in Dutch football history.

Their recent unbeaten streak almost came to an end before the international break, the minnows trailing Feyenoord at De Kuip before Michael de Leeuw's equaliser 11 minutes from time.

Seven points adrift with seven matches remaining, draws may not benefit Emmen in the long run, but earning a share of the spoils at one of the nation's biggest clubs has kept everything ticking over.

Although a trip to Ajax is still to come, Lukkien will be satisfied with the fixtures during the run-in, starting with the meeting against Waalwijk at the weekend.

However, there will come a time when they have to gamble in search of maximum points, putting their momentum at risk ahead of their closing fixtures.

From Waalwijk's perspective, three wins from six matches have come at the right time as they bid to avoid a scrap with the teams below them.

While one of those victories came at home to Sunday's opponents, Fred Grim's team have not recorded an away triumph in the league since November 27.

Waalwijk are not in a position where they can rely on their form at the Mandemakers Stadion with their remaining home fixtures being against Ajax, AZ Alkmaar and FC Twente.

Three of their four remaining away contests are against clubs directly below them in the standings, ensuring that avoiding defeat may be their priority on Sunday.

Young forward Thijs Oosting netted his first two league goals of the campaign in the 3-1 win over Groningen before the international break.

Team News

Barring any late fitness issues, Lukkien is expected to stick with the Emmen XI which started against Feyenoord.

The likes of Nikolai Laursen and former Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Paul Gladon will have to make do with a spot among the replacements.

Waalwijk are again likely to be without Morad El Haddouti and Luuk Wouters through injury.

Sylla Sow is a potential alternative to Lennerd Daneels after coming off the substitutes' bench to net versus Groningen.

Emmen possible starting lineup:
Verrips; Bijl, Araujo, Bakker, Cavlan; Vlak, Bernadou; Frei, Pena, Adzic; De Leeuw

RKC Waalwijk possible starting lineup:
Lamprou; Bakari, Meulensteen, Touba, Quasten; Venne, Anita, Tahiri; Sow, Oosting, John

We say: Emmen 2-2 RKC Waalwijk

Despite the desire to extend their unbeaten streak, Lukkien knows that draws are not good enough at this stage of the season. However, it is a different story for the visitors, who we feel will earn a share of the spoils in an entertaining encounter.