Sparta Rotterdam play host to NEC Nijmegen on Sunday looking to extend their advantage over the Eredivisie relegation zone.
At a time when the home side sit in 15th position in the table and four points clear of 16th, NEC are just two points ahead of their next opponents in 12th place.
Match preview
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Having failed to win a single league game between September 28 and January 19, it is fair to say that Sparta Rotterdam's fanbase would have started to anticipate relegation.
Instead, Maurice Steijn's return to the club has sparked an upturn in fortunes, Sparta remarkably prevailing from four of their last eight league games to move outside of the relegation zone.
The 3-0 triumph away at Fortuna Sittard last time out has extended their advantage over the bottom three to four points, as well as strengthening a recent defensive record of just two goals being conceded in four fixtures.
With games against Ajax and PSV Eindhoven still to come, there is still plenty of work ahead, but back-to-back home fixtures could ultimately prove pivotal.
Before February 2, Sparta had not won a single game at the Sparta Stadion, yet they have since posted eight points from a possible 12.
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As for NEC, they were always going to struggle to hit the heights of last season's sixth-placed finish, but their recent form has ensured that relegation remains a possibility.
Just one victory in eight outings has led to Rogier Meijer's side remaining within touching distance of the bottom three, it taking a recent four-point haul from their last two fixtures to haul themselves up the standings.
After a 1-0 victory at fourth-placed FC Utrecht, NEC played out a thrilling 3-3 draw with fifth-placed AZ Alkmaar, coming from 3-1 down to earn a share of the spoils.
Momentum is now in their favour and as high as eighth spot remains in their sights. NEC - who have accumulated 13 points from as many away fixtures this campaign - sit just two points adrift of that position.
Team News
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After such a dominant win over Fortuna Sittard, it would come as a surprise if Steijn tinkers with his Sparta XI unless he needs to.
Carel Eiting provided two assists in that game and Shunsuke Mito scored twice, the latter taking his tally for the campaign to five.
Kento Shiogai is pushing for his first league start of the season for NEC at the 19th attempt having needed just six minutes to score as a substitute against AZ.
Bryan Linssen's place is at risk in attack, but the likes of Koki Ogawa and Kas de Wit remain on the sidelines through injury.
Sparta Rotterdam possible starting lineup:
Olij; Bakari, Young, Eerdhuijzen, Van Aanholt; Zechiel, Eiting; Van Bergen, Hlynsson, Mito; Lauritsen
NEC possible starting lineup:
Roefs; Lyratzis, Sandler, Nuytinck, Verdonk; Hansen, Proper, Ouwejan; Larsen; Shiogai, Van Crooij
We say: Sparta Rotterdam 2-1 NEC
Although the visitors hold an advantage in the league table, it is fair to say they should not be viewed as the favourites to prevail from this fixture. We are backing Sparta to extend their unbeaten streak to five matches with a hard-fought success, one which would see them leapfrog their opponents in the standings.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
