Our prediction for this Netherlands Eredivisie match:
Feyenoord
Match Time & Date:
19/05/2021
21:00
Prediction: 3-1
Sparta Rotterdam
All eyes will be on De Kuip when Feyenoord and Sparta face each other in the Rotterdam derby in the Conference League playoffs semis. Feyenoord finished the regular season with a 3-0 win over RKC, which undisputedly gave them a confidence boost. De club aan de Maas produce much better showings at home than on the travels, and it is no wonder the bookies see them as favourites to win Wednesday’s clash. Both Pratto and Balde remain in the recovery room, while defender Geertruida is a major doubt and suffering an injury in the victory over RKC.
The visitors, on the other hand, booked their place in the Conference League playoffs by beating Heerenveen on the road on the last day of the regular season. Sparta have been in a fine form of late, but we predict that Steven Berghuis and Co. will pose a much bigger threat for the visitors than their previous rivals. Both Auassar and Beugelsdijk are back from suspension for the visiting team.
Highlighted Player (Steven Berghuis):
Born in Apeldoorn, Netherlands on December 19, 1991, Steven Berghuis is a Dutch winger who plays for Ajax in the Eredivisie. Berghuis played for the likes of Vitesse/AGOVV, WSV Apeldoorn, and Go Ahead Eagles during his youth career before joining Twente in 2009.
The 183-cm-tall footballer continued playing for the Reds at senior level. After ending his loan spell with VVV-Venlo, Steven Berghuis joined AZ Alkmaar in the summer of 2012, and three years later signed a deal with the Premier League club Watford. After making no more than nine appearances in the English top flight, Berghuis moved to Feyenoord in August 2016, and he has been playing De club aan de Maas ever since.
His main position is right winger, but he is capable of producing fine displays as both left winger and attacking midfielder as well. He made his Netherlands debut on May 27, 2016 in a 1-1 draw with the Republic of Ireland.
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.
