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

Looking to end a seven-game winless run in the Eredivisie, Sparta Rotterdam welcome Feyenoord to the Het Kasteel on Sunday.

The visitors head into the clash aiming to make it back to back wins having returned to winnings ways last time out.

Match preview

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Feyenoord showed great resolve to claim a hard-fought 3-2 win over newcomers Cambuur at the Cambuur-Stadion on Sunday.

Goals from Bryan Linssen and Fredrik Aursnes cancelled out David Sambissa's brace, before Tyrell Malacia secured all three points for Arne Slot's men just shy of the hour mark.

De Stadionclub have now risen to fourth place in the Eredivisie table, six points behind current leaders Ajax with a game in hand.

Lying in store next for the Rotterdam-based club is a clash versus an opposing side who they have beaten in five of the last seven clashes, including both of last season's meetings.

With a Conference League trip to Union Berlin next on the agenda, Sunday's visitors prepare for a busy couple of days on the road and will be keen to get off to a good start.

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Sparta Rotterdam were beaten for the fourth time in five league games following a 1-0 defeat versus RKC Waalwijk on Saturday.

Michiel Kramer broke the deadlock in the penultimate minute of normal time to put Henk Fraser's men to the sword at the Mandemakers Stadion.

De Kasteelheren continue to languish in the relegation zone and are two points adrift of safety having played a game more than nearest challengers Fortuna Sittard.

However, Sunday's hosts head into this weekend's contest off the back of a 2-0 KNVB-Beker win over lower league side Veenendaal in midweek which should give them a confidence boost.

Team News

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Feyenoord's Mark Diemers continues to battle with a back injury, and the 28-year-old is yet to make an appearance since July.

The away side will also be without the services of Francesco Antonucci and Aliou Cisse who are currently sidelined with muscle and knee injuries respectively.

Henk Fraser rang the changes for his side's cup tie in midweek, but we expect him to revert to his regular starting XI for this one.

The likes of Bryan Smeets and Emanuel Emegha are in line to get the nod after they were given a breather in the aforementioned game.

Sparta Rotterdam possible starting lineup:
Okoye; Meijers, Heylen, Vriends, Abels; Auassar, Osman, Thy; Van Crooy, Smeets, Emegha

Feyenoord possible starting lineup:
Bijlow; Malacia, Senesi, Trauner, Pedersen; Kokcu, Til, Toornstra; Sinisterra, Jahanbakhsh, Linssen

We say: Sparta Rotterdam 1-2 Feyenoord

Feyenoord have exhibited their dominance in this fixture over the years and are favourites to emerge victorious this weekend. We fancy them to come out on top but only after they have been pushed all the way by the home side.