Formidable opponent
The Spartans want to score high in the Eredivisie again this season, in which they have settled in the subtop in the last two seasons. With a respective 6th and 8th position as final ranking, they will want to play in the left row again this season. The Rotterdammers secured a play-off ticket for European football last season, but FC Utrecht was too strong in the semi-finals. Willem II and Sparta already met each other in the preparation for this season. On the fields of Uno Animo in Loon op Zand, the training camp ended with a 2-4 defeat. The Kasteelheren were very effective and made the difference clear before half-time. Willem II limited the damage via Cisse Sandra and Emilio Kehrer. Sparta Rotterdam started the preparation on June 29 and has been undefeated since then. It is up to the Tricolores to change that tonight.
Transfer market
Just like for the Willem II supporters, it is also interesting for the Spartans to follow the last hours of the transfer market. Key players such as Djagno Wagnerdam, Bart Vriends and Koki Saito left Spangen this summer. The latter was a player for Lommel SK, part of the City Football Group with which Sparta technical director Gerard Nijkamp has good ties. This will also ring a bell for the Willem II supporters since this week, because the Tricolores completed the loan of Amar Fatah from Troyes AC at the beginning of this week. Sparta also brought players back for this this summer. For example, they strengthened the starting eleven with Julian Baas from fellow city rivals Excelsior, Mohammed Nasoh from Jong PSV and Boyd Reith from Roda JC. The Tricolores will have to be on their guard defensively against striker Tobias Lauritsen with number 10 Arno Verschueren behind him. Both were good for almost half of Sparta’s goal production last season (22).
Who will suffer the first defeat of the season tonight? Or will both teams draw again? With two footballing teams, it will undoubtedly be a great football evening in Tilburg. The match starts on Saturday at 21:00 and can be followed live via ESPN 2, Willem II Radio and the Matchcenter on the website. Referee on duty is Allard Lindhout and he will be assisted by Joost van Zuilen, Rogier Honig and Kevin Puts. VAR are Martin van den Kerkhof and Dyon Fikkert.
