Preview: Sparta Rotterdam vs. Vitesse - prediction, team news, lineups

In search of a fifth straight win across all competitions, Vitesse visit the Het Kasteel on Saturday to face off against Sparta Rotterdam.

The home side, meanwhile, are looking to end a five-game winless run which has seen them fail to win in over a month.

Match preview

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Sparta saw their KNVB-Beker journey come to an end at the GelreDome where they lost 2-1 versus Vitesse on Wednesday.

Henk Fraser's men took the lead from the penalty spot through Vito van Crooy before a brace from Nikolai Frederiksen turned the game around in Arnhem.

De Kasteelheren snapped up a three-game losing streak in their last league outing which ended 0-0 against Heerenveen.

The Rotterdam-based club are bottom but one in the table, three points adrift of safety as the campaign approaches its midway point.

Saturday's hosts, who have only managed one home triumph all-season long, now set out to give their fans reason to cheer in their penultimate home match of the year.

Vitesse exhibited great powers of recovery to claim a 2-1 victory over Heracles Almelo on Sunday.

Thomas Letsch's men went behind to Nikolai Laursen's opener midway through the first half before hitting back through goals in either half from Lois Openda.

The Airborne Football Club have moved up to fourth place in the standings but are still a whopping eight points behind current leaders PSV Eindhoven.

Awaiting them next is a clash versus opponents who have won only two of the last 19 encounters involving the teams in the last 15 years.

Team News

Maduka Okoye remains sidelined and the Nigerian goalkeeper is set to sit out a fourth consecutive game.

Emanuel Emegha was on target in this fixture last season and will be looking to deliver the goods once again.

Twenty-year-old Daan Reiziger has not played for the away side this term and is still unsure as to when he will be making his return to action.

Nikolai Frederiksen has now scored three goals in his last three Vitesse outings, making him one to keep an eye on this weekend.

Sparta Rotterdam possible starting lineup:
Van Leer; Masouras, Beugelsdijk, Vriends, Pinto; Abels, Mijnans, Smeets; Auassar, Emegha, Thy

Vitesse possible starting lineup:
Schubert; Doekhi, Bazoer, Rasmussen; Yapi, Tronstad, Gboho, Bero, Dasa; Openda, Darfalou

We say: Sparta Rotterdam 1-2 Vitesse

Vitesse head into the contest in arguably their best form of the season and will back themselves to keep the juggernaut rolling. We are backing them to get the job done come the full-time whistle.

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