MX23RW : Friday, January 29 03:12:45| >> :120:13693:13693:
Dec 19, 2020 at 5.45pm UK at De Koel
VVV-VenloVVV-Venlo
1-2
FC TwenteFC Twente
Linthorst (70')
Schmitz (75'), van Crooy (78')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Danilo (27'), Ilic (63')
Ilic (40'), Danilo (85')

Preview: VVV-Venlo vs. FC Twente - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Eredivisie clash between VVV-Venlo and FC Twente, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Relegation-threatened VVV-Venlo face sixth-placed FC Twente in what is likely to prove a difficult challenge for the hosts.

Twente have stumbled a little of late, but VVV are in dire form and the visitors will expect to return to winning ways on Saturday.


Match preview

Ron Jans, now in charge of FC Twente, pictured in September 2019© Reuters

VVV have endured a poor campaign so far, sitting 15th in the Eredivisie table - only just outside the relegation zone.

They are one point and one place above the relegation playoffs, and just two points and two places above the automatic drop.

Despite claiming victory in their first game of the season - a 5-3 thriller against FC Emmen - VVV have won just once more in their subsequent 11 league games.

VVV are still yet to keep a clean sheet this season and have the worst defensive record in the league, conceding a whopping 36 goals in just 12 outings.

A significant chunk of those goals conceded came in a humiliating 13-0 home drubbing by Ajax - an extraordinary scoreline that will no doubt have been a significant blow to morale.

Those numbers will make for good reading for Twente, who boast the fifth-best goalscoring record in the Eredivisie, notching 24 strikes thus far.

Twente lost just one of their first nine fixtures as they started the season strongly, but two defeats in their last three games has halted their momentum somewhat.

Despite that, their one victory in that spell was a memorable 2-1 victory over league leaders Ajax, who suffered just their second defeat of the season at the hands of Twente.

VVV-Venlo Eredivisie form: LWLDLL
VVV-Venlo form (all competitions): WLDLLW

FC Twente Eredivisie form: WWDLWL


Team News

VVV head coach Jay Driessen has just one injury issue to contend with ahead of Saturday's fixture.

Georgios Giakoumakis is sidelined and will not return until the beginning of next year.

Meanwhile, Twente manager Ron Jans has the same issue, with only one unavailable player.

Thijs van Leeuwen is still struggling with a groin injury and is also expected to return early next month.

Aside from that, both managers have fully-fit squads to pick from.

VVV-Venlo possible starting lineup:
D van Crooy; Pachonik, Kum, Swinkels, Schafer; Linthorst; Hupperts, Hunte; V van Crooy; John, Arias

FC Twente possible starting lineup:
Drommel; Ebuehi, Pleguezuelo, Pierie, Smal; Roemeratoe, Brama, Ilic; Cerny, Danilo, Menig


SM words green background

We say: VVV-Venlo 1-3 FC Twente

Twente may have suffered a slight dip in form recently but VVV are in free-fall and should offer little resistance against a far superior outfit.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting that both teams will score (BTTS - yes) in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.BTTS Yes:data


ID:426985:cQx

How you voted: VVV-Venlo vs FC Twente

VVV-Venlo
0.0%
Draw
7.1%
FC Twente
92.9%
14
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Ajax players celebrate scoring against FC Midtjylland on November 25, 2020
Read Next:
Saturday's Eredivisie predictions including Ajax vs. FC Twente
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rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Ajax19152263154847
2PSV EindhovenPSV19134245192643
3Vitesse19132433171641
4AZ AlkmaarAZ19107244281637
5Feyenoord19105434191535
6Groningen1910452822634
7FC Twente198563325829
8FC UtrechtUtrecht196942424027
9Heerenveen196762827125
10Sparta RotterdamSparta196492831-322
11Heracles196492230-822
12Fortuna SittardSittard196492837-922
13VVV-VenloVVV-Venlo196493246-1422
14PEC Zwolle194962229-721
15RKC WaalwijkRKC Waalwijk1935111633-1714
16ADO Den HaagADO Den Haag1925121644-2811
17Willem II1924132242-2010
18EmmenEmmen1906131747-306

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