VVV Venlo VS Sparta Rotterdam, home side would settle for a point

Match Time：3/10/2021 01:45 Wednesday  (GMT+8)

Holland Eredivisie --  VVV Venlo   VS   Sparta Rotterdam

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VVV-Venlo and Sparta Rotterdam square off in the Eredivisie on Tuesday evening with just two points separating the clubs in the standings.  

 

The visitors sit six points ahead of the relegation zone, a marginal advantage over opposition who have suffered five straight league defeats.  

 

Match preview  

In reaching the KNVB Beker semi-finals, VVV-Venlo have been able to put a positive spin on what has been a season battling to remain above the bottom three.  

 

However, now that they have been eliminated from the cup, Hans de Koning must address the increasing issues which are emerging with his team.  

 

VVV-Venlo have suffered six successive defeats against top-flight opposition, their only victory in seven matches coming against second-tier NEC after extra time.  

 

As many as 23 goals have been conceded during those fixtures, six of which came in the demoralising defeat at the hands of Feyenoord on Saturday.  

 

Remaining just four points above 16th-placed Willem II, the Yellow Black Army are under pressure to get back on track against a team in Sparta who have also lost their way.  

 

While Henk Fraser's side claimed a point in their last outing, it came against bottom-of-the-table Emmen, who equalised through a last-minute penalty.  

 

Come the end of the season, it may prove to be an important result, but Fraser knows that he needs to end an eight-match winless streak as soon as possible.  

 

The biggest plus for Fraser and his squad is the established big three of Ajax, PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord not featuring in their closing 10 fixtures.  

 

Nevertheless, there is no room for complacency, particularly when defeat on Tuesday will see them drop down to 14th place.  

 

VVV-Venlo Eredivisie form: WLLLLL  

VVV-Venlo form (all competitions): LWLLLL 

Sparta Rotterdam Eredivisie form: DDLLLD  

 

Team News 

De Koning will inevitably make alterations to his Venlo XI with one of Arjan Swinkels or Christian Kum likely to return to the team.  

 

Gus Hupperts could be handed a start on the left flank, while Simon Janssen may replace Meritan Shabani in midfield.  

 

The extra day of recovery may encourage Fraser to stick with the Sparta XI from the draw with Emmen.  

 

Deroy Duarte may be recalled if Fraser opts to use an extra creative player in midfield.  

 

VVV-Venlo possible starting lineup: 

Kirschbaum; Pachonik, Swinkels, Graca, Schafer; Post, Donis, Janssen; John, Arias, Hupperts  

 

Sparta Rotterdam possible starting lineup: 

Okoye; Abels, Vriends, Beugelsdijk, Meijers; Harroui, L.Duarte, Auassar, Burger; Thy, Engels    

 

VVV-Venlo 1-2 Sparta Rotterdam