Dutch EreDivision
2006-02-19 - Feyenoord vs Sparta Rotterdam
A Sports Betting Pick by Erik
The city derby of Rotterdam between Feyenoord and Sparta. Feyenoord lost precious points last and need a win in order to follow PSV.Sparta needs the point down at the bottom to avoid the relegation play-offs. Who is gonna take the points this sunday?
FEYENOORD
Feyenoord is currently 3rd in the rankings with 5 points out 24 games. Last week they drew in a stunning way 3-3 away to NAC Breda due to two very late goals in the 90th and 91th minute by Jenner and Diba.
Feyenoord was the better team but became very arrogant during the match, missing many chances and playing the game like it was already over. Coach Koeman brought Van Hooijdonk in the game after 87 minutes and this was the mistake of the year.
Especially since he changed Van Hooijdonk for Dirk Kuijt who played a terrific game with three assists. Just after this it seemed like NAC got extra wings and wanted to show something extra, well....they did.
SPARTA ROTTERDAM
Sparta is currently on the 15th place with 24 points out of 24 games and 6 points clear of the number 16 ADO Den Haag and a place in the relegation play-offs.
Last week Sparta lost 0-1 at home against AZ, due to a 91th minute goal from Perez and with Sparta playing with 10 men after the red card of Van Tornhout in the 63th minute. Sparta's away record this season is 1-6-5, with 4 times a 0-0 draw against Willem II, NEC, NAC Breda and SC Heerenveen.
Team news / injuries
Feyenoord welcomes back Pardo after an injury (foot) and has no important missings.
Sparta will have to do without Van Tornhout who got a red card in the game against AZ last week.
Feyenoord : Lodewijks - Greene - Vlaar - Bosschaart - Hofs - Paauwe - De Guzman - Castelen - Kuijt - Kalou
Sparta : Ponk - Gudelj - Schenkel - Gudda - De Fauw - Polak - Van Bueren - Obodai - Michels - Cvetkov - Oost
Previous confrontations
21/08/2005 Sparta - Feyenoord 1-3
24/03/2002 Sparta - Feyenoord 0-5
19/08/2001 Feyenoord - Sparta 5-0
Verdict
Feyenoord is the top scoring club in the Eredivisie with 62 goals and much striker power up front with Kuijt, Kalou and Castelen. Since PSV won their game against Vitesse yesterday 1-3, the gap between Feyenoord and PSV is now 8 points and if Feyenoord doens't win this one, 8 points might just be too much of a gap for the title.
Since 8 out of the last 10 games from Sparta resulted in unders, this shows that they are very capable of defending, but their scoring power is very weak. Sparta only scored 19 goals so far this season and only RBC Roosendaal has scored less with 14 goals. So basicly we got the most scoring team (Feyenoord) against the second worst scoring team (Sparta).
Feyenoord can't afford to lose more points and will want to make up for the 3-3 last week in Breda in front of their home crowd. Any other outcome than a home win would be a huge suprise.
