Preview: RKC Waalwijk vs. Go Ahead Eagles - prediction, team news, lineups

RKC Waalwijk welcome Go Ahead Eagles to the Mandemakers Stadion on Saturday, in search of a much-needed victory after just two wins in 10 games across all competitions.

Meanwhile, the visitors are hoping to extend their unbeaten run of 11 games in the Eredivisie, with their last defeat coming against Feyenoord on September 3.

Match preview

RKC Waalwijk's misery on the road continued last weekend, as FC Volendam came from behind to defeat Joseph Oosting's side courtesy of strikes from Xavier Mbuyamba and Florent Da Silva.

Mats Seuntjens had given RKC the lead in the 63rd minute, but Volendam produced a spirited performance to claim all three points and lift themselves off the bottom of the Eredivisie table.

However, RKC have enjoyed more success in front of their own fans than on their travels and have the sixth-best home record in the division, picking up 12 points from eight matches.

RKC remain in 11th place, picking up 18 points from 16 games, and a victory here could see them climb to ninth if other results go their way.

Meanwhile, Rene Hake's men lost their first five matches in the Eredivisie - which understandably raised concerns about their survival credentials - but they are now sitting very comfortably in 10th place in the league standings after such an impressive run of form.

However, Go Ahead Eagles gifted Utrecht two goals in the first 12 minutes of their encounter last weekend, as Willum Thor Willumson headed into his own net and Jay Idzes's botched clearance fell straight into the path of Sander van de Streek.

Sylla Sow saved the Eagles' blushes with a late equaliser, after Bobby Adekanye had levelled proceedings before Van de Streek's strike just moments later.

Nevertheless, that result ensured that Rene Hake's side remain unbeaten since resuming their league campaign after the World Cup break, and the Eagles also managed to secure their place in the third round of the KNVB-Beker with a 1-0 victory over Heracles on January 12.

Team News

Julen Lobete has missed the previous two outings for the hosts due to injury, so he is expected to be absent once again here.

Michiel Kramer returned from a back injury against Volendam so he could be given a chance in the starting XI this weekend.

Go Ahead Eagles will remain without the services of midfielder Philippe Rommens for Saturday's clash due to the 25-year-old's shoulder injury, meaning Enric Llansana and Tesfaldet Tekie are set to be the defensive-midfield duo once again for the hosts.

Isac Lidberg has featured in every league game this season, so it seems likely he will lead the line for the Eagles this Saturday.

RKC Waalwijk possible starting lineup:
Pereira; Lelieveld, Nieuwpoort, Van den Buijs, Adewoye, Lutonda; Clement, Anita, Oukili; Bel Hassani, Biereth

Go Ahead Eagles possible starting lineup:
De Lange; Deiji, Nauber, Idzes, Kuipers; Tekie, Llansana, Willumsson, Adekanye, Edvardsen; Lidberg

We say: RKC Waalwijk 1-1 Go Ahead Eagles

Only one point separates these two sides in the table, so we think this will be a closely-fought contest.

Go Ahead Eagles are on a sensational run of form and will be confident of extending their unbeaten run here, but only five teams have a better home record than RKC Waalwijk, so we think the spoils will be shared.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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