Our prediction for this Netherlands Eredivisie match:
After holding Feyenoord to a 2-2 draw, RKC will be looking to give fans yet another reason for celebration when they take on Sparta Rotterdam at Mandemakers Stadion. RKC are eyeing their first league win since Matchday 1 when they shocked AZ Alkmaar at home ground, and they are surely capable of beating the Rotterdammers on home soil. Both van der Venne and Joel Pereira are sidelined with injuries, while David Min is a major doubt.
Sparta, on the other hand, head into the match following a 1-1 draw with Groningen. The Rotterdammers, though, have collected only one point in total from possible 12 on the road this season, which is probably the main reason why home win should be considered. Both Aaron Meijers and Dirk Abels miss out through suspension, but there are no fresh injury worries in the away team.
Highlighted Player (Vurnon Anita):
Vurnon Anita is yet another product of famous Ajax youth football academy. The defensive midfielder made a great progress during his spell with the Eredivisie outfit as he played for the first team from 2006 to 2012. During the 2011/2012 season Anita was on Newcastle United’s radar, but Ajax chiefs rejected Newcastle’s first bid for the player.
Nonetheless, the two clubs eventually came to an agreement and the Dutch footballer moved to St. James’ Park in the summer of 2012. Vurnon Anita signed for the Magpies for a fee of £6.7 million and he made his Newcastle debut on August 18, 2012 in a 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the opening game of the season.
After making 133 appearances in the league for the Magpies, Anita joined Leeds United on July 6, 2017, signing a three-year deal with the Championship club. Vurnon Anita made his debut for Netherlands in a 2-1 win over Mexico in May, 2010. His main position is defensive midfield, but he can play as a full-back as well.
Highlighted Team (Sparta Rotterdam):
Founded back on April 1, 1888, Sparta Rotterdam is considered one of the oldest clubs in the Netherlands. De Kasteelheren (the Castle Lords) welcome their opponents at Het Kasteel, and they have a great rivalry with Feyenoord. Yet another Rotterdam club Excelsior are considered Sparta’s fierce rivals as well.
Sparta Rotterdam wear white shirts with red strips when playing on home soil, while sky blue is the dominant colour of their away kit. De Kasteelheren have won six Eredivisie trophies. Sparta were the dominant force in the Dutch football in the 1910s, with the team winning their last league title in the 1958/59 season.
De Kasteelheren have won three Dutch Cup trophies as well (1957/58, 1961/62, 1965/66). In the 1985/86 season Sparta last participated in the UEFA Cup, with the team beating Hamburger SC in round 1, while suffering elimination to Borussia Monchengladbach in the second round. Sparta’s stadium Het Kasteel can hold up to 11,926 spectators.