Dutch EreDivision
2008-09-21 - FC Volendam vs FC Twente
A Sports Betting Pick by Erik
Netherlands, Eredivisie
Sundat, 21st September 2008 - KO 13:30
VOLENDAM
FC Volendam are having a tough time in the Eredivisie after their first two games losing 2-3 at home to SC Heerenveen in the first round and getting trashed 5-0 on the road to Feyenoord last week.
The team promoted to the highest level at the end of last season but are the favorites with the bookmakers to finish last in the competition this season.
In the game against Feyenoord the team opened very decent but FC Volendam did not play with much confidence making two very stupid mistakes allowing Feyenoord to score twice from eleven meters.
TWENTE
FC Twente played a midweek UEFA Cup game on the road to Stade Rennes which they lost 2-1, but team manager McLaren was more than content with the small defeat as he saw his team play a good game and scoring a vital away goal.
In the domestic competition FC Twente is still without a win drawing 1-1 on the road to Roda JC and 1-1 at home to NEC with the team giving away a lead twice in the final ten minutes of the game.
Previous meetings
03/04/2004 FC Twente - FC Volendam 1-2
03/12/2003 FC Volendam - FC Twente 2-0
With FC Volendam playing in the Jupiler League for the biggest part of the previous ten seasons both teams met each other only twice in which FC Volendam grabbed the win in both games.
Since the seasons 1990/1991 both teams have played each other nine times - mostly in the early nineties - of which FC Twente won 4 times, FC Volendam 2 times and 3 meeting remained undecided.
Injuries/suspensions
FC Volendam : Cecilio Lopez (att) (disciplinary reasons), Gerry Koning (def) (ankle inuy), Tim Bakens (def) (hamstring), Paul Kok (gk) (shoulderinjury)
FC Twente : Andrej Rendla (mid) (knee injury)
The Verdict
At first sight this game points towards an away win based on the names that will enter the field on Sunday. FC Twente clearly has the better team here, right?
Let's take a deeper look...FC Twente still remains without a in under their new coach McLaren losing two games against Arsenal in the preliminary round of the Champions League and losing 2-1 on the road to Stade Rennes last week.
But let's face it, losing from Arsenal is no shame and taking a look at the first half in Enschede against Arsenal a few weeks ago, FC Twente had the best of the play in the first half and are able to field a very decent team. In the competition FC Twente drew twice 1-1 after being the better side in both games but failing to score a liberating second goal.
FC Volendam lost their last game in the competition 5-0 on the road to Feyenoord and the team made some very stupid mistakes and especially the handball from Boots in the first half underlined the fact that FC Volendam is still a bit nervous playing in the Eredivisie.
The confidence in the team is not what it used to be like last season and with team manager Menzo leaving the club at the end of last season, Adelaar was appointed as new coach with the former ADO Den Haag manager failing to create a balanced team so far.
FC Twente is desperate for a win and a game against FC Volendam seems the perfect opportunity to achieve this, especially with striker N'Kufo returning in the selection after being suspended for the game against Stade Rennes last Thursday. McLaren will have the disposal of a fully fit and balanced selection while some unrest has crept in the team of FC Volendam with striker Lopez being sent away by Adelaar due to unclear reasons.
FC Volendam also will be looking for their first points of the season but I believe that FC Twente is the better team here and are able to cope a lot better with the increasing pressure of chasing after the first win of the season.
The prices on the away win have fallen a bit over the last few days but the $1.95 offered at Betfair seem still worth taking.
BEST BETTING TIP :
FC Twente to win $1.90+
