Our prediction for this Netherlands Eredivisie match:
Mandemakers Stadion will host a postponed Eredivisie game between RKC Waalwijk and Go Ahead Eagles, the two mid-table sides. RKC did well to beat Emmen 2-0 at the weekend, with the team putting an end to their four-match winless run, and they are surely capable of matching Go Ahead Eagles in front of home fans. Keep in mind, though, that experienced midfielder Iliass Bel Hassani is banned for the match.
The visitors, on the other hand, aim to make amends for back-to-back defeats to AZ Alkmaar and PSV. Go Ahead Eagles suffered a dip in form, and seeing that RKC are a real force to be reckoned with at home, we are tempted to put our money on Joseph Oosting’s troops this time out. Both Kuipers and Philippe Rommens are out of contention with injuries, speaking of the visiting side.
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 (Waalwijk):
RKC Waalwijk is a Dutch club that competes in the Eredivisie. RKC returned to the Dutch top flight in the 2019/20 season, and they were more than fortunate not to suffer relegation back to Eerste Divisie. Fred Grim’s men were stuck at the bottom of the table when the season was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
As a result, they did not drop to the Dutch second tier. RKC play home games at Mandemakers Stadion, the venue which can hold only 7,500 spectators. RKC Waalwijk are well known for their yellow shirts with blue strips, but their away kit is mainly black. The Mandemakers Stadion outfit have never won the national championship.
RKC, though, represented the Netherlands in European competitions in the past, with team taking part in Intertoto Cup on four occasions. Willem II are seen as one of the club’s main rivals, with the two teams facing each other in the Brabantse derby.