Our prediction for this Netherlands Eredivisie match:
Sparta Rotterdam
Match Time & Date:
20/08/2023
14:30
Prediction: 1-1
Feyenoord
Expect sparks to fly as Sparta Rotterdam and Feyenoord lock horns in a thrilling local derby showdown on Matchday 2. Sparta were producing excellent displays in preseason and their performance in the round 1 clash against Zwolle is surely giving fans a reason for optimism ahead of the visit of Feyenoord. Barring any fresh injury concerns, head coach Jeroen Rijsdijk is unlikely to make changes to the team that defeated the Blauwvingers.
The reigning champions, meanwhile, failed to break the deadlock in a goalless draw with Fortuna Sittard, but it has to be noted that defender Bart Nieuwkoop was sent off after just 25 minutes. As a result, the 27-year-old misses the Rotterdam derby through suspension, with Thomas Beelen likely to step up. Anyhow, the share of spoils is on the cards at Sparta Stadion Het Kasteel as Feyenoord do not seem to be at their sharpest.
Highlighted Player (Alireza Jahanbakhsh):
Born in Jirandeh, Iran on August 11 1990, Alireza Jahanbakhsh is a footballer who plays for AZ Alkmaar in Holland. Before AZ, Jahanbakhsh played for NEC in the Eredivisie, but he began his youth career at Payam Alborz Qazvin. Speaking of his senior debut, he made it with Damash Tehran in the 2010/2011 season.
In 2011 he moved to fellow Iranian club Damash Gilan and it has to be noted that he scored 10 goals in 44 appearances in the league for the club. The AZ Alkmaar winger, who is used as an attacking midfielder as well, scored 21 goals in 33 appearances in the Eredivisie in the 2017/2018 season. Speaking of his international career, Alireza JahanBakhsh scored two goals for Iran on the road to Russia and he will represent his homeland at the 2018 FIFA world cup finals.
Due to his style of play, Jahanbakhsh has always been compared to legendary Iranian footballer Mehdi Mahdavikia.
Highlighted Team (Feyenoord):
Back in 1908 football club Wilhemina was founded in the pub De Vereeniging and they played their home games in blue-sleeved red shirts and white shorts. The club’s name was changed to Hillesluise in 1909 and soon they became RVV Celeritas.
Finally, in 1912 the club got a name SC Feijenoord. Feyenoord won their first Eredivisie trophy in 1924 and 75 years later they clinched their 14th domestic trophy, finishing the season 15 points clear of second-placed Willem II. De Trots van Zuid play their home games at De Kuip and the capacity of the venue is 51 117.
The club’s fiercest rivals are Ajax and the two teams face each other in der Klassieker. The likes of Craig Bellamy, Gerrard Fox, Wouter Bos and Raemon Sluiter are notable supporters of the club. It is well known that football legends Johan Cruyff, Ruud Gullit and Peter Houtman all played for Feyenoord in the past. De Trots van Zuid play their home games in red-white shirts and black shorts.
Arsenal 
Ipswich 
Brighton
Brentford 
Lazio 
Atalanta 
Leicester 
Man City 
Tottenham 
Wolves 
Juventus 
Fiorentina 
