Sparta Rotterdam will have a chance to go four points clear at the top of the Eredivisie standings when they play host to NEC on Friday night.
Although the visitors have not enjoyed the best of starts to the new campaign, NEC still occupy 10th spot after three matches.
Match preview
On the back of losing in the European playoffs to FC Twente in June, there was the possibility that the disappointment for Sparta could carry over into the new campaign.
Instead, it has had a galvanising effect on this club, with new head coach Jeroen Rijsdijk leading an unbeaten start across their opening three games of the season.
While away victories have been posted against PEC Zwolle and Heerenveen respectively, Sparta's most notable result was the 2-2 draw at home to champions Feyenoord.
That is despite blowing a two-goal lead, with Feyenoord netting twice in the closing 13 minutes to earn a share of the spoils, but it may prove to be a point gained come the end of 2023-24.
Sparta sit at the top of the table courtesy of several teams playing one game fewer, a consequence of European action, yet rarely in their history would they have had an opportunity to go four points clear in first place of the Eredivisie.
That chance comes with its own pressures, even at this early stage, although the Castle Lords are facing opponents who will have been relieved to get their season up and running last time out.
Having conceded six goals in defeats to Excelsior and Heracles, NEC responded with a 3-0 triumph over RKC Waalwijk on Saturday, with two of those goals coming in the 90th minute and beyond.
Looking to build on last season's 12th-placed finish, Rogier Meijer will feel that there is more to come from NEC, but he may have to be more realistic with the victory over Waalwijk ending a run of six games without success in competitive fixtures.
On a more positive note, NEC have emerged victorious in three of their last seven away outings in the Eredivisie, something that will not have gone unnoticed by their hosts.
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Team News
With the match over as a contest after just 62 minutes against Heerenveen, Rijsdijk had the luxury of resting players during the closing quarter.
Barring any fitness issues, that should lead to an unchanged side with Tobias Lauritsen getting the nod over Charles-Andreas Brym down the middle of the attack.
Defender Mike Eerdhuijzen is expected to remain absent for Sparta through injury.
Meijer will also want to make minimal alterations to his NEC XI on the back of their win over RKC, although that is not to say that he does not have options at his disposal.
Winger Rober Gonzalez came off the substitutes' bench to net his first goal of the season, but Koki Ogawa should remain down the middle of the attack despite Bas Dost accumulating his first minutes of 2023-24 as a replacement.
Philippe Sandler, Kas de Wit and Elayis Tavsan are all not in contention to return from spells on the sidelines.
Sparta Rotterdam possible starting lineup:
Olij; Bakari, Vriends, Velthuis, Warmerdam; Kitolano, De Guzman; Van Crooij, Verschueren, Saito; Lauritsen
NEC possible starting lineup:
Cillessen; Pereira, Ross, Nuytinck, Verdonk; Hoedemakers, Proper; Olden Larsen, Mattsson, Hansen; Ogawa
We say: Sparta Rotterdam 2-0 NEC
On the back of their victory last time out, NEC will feel that they can play with a sense of freedom against opponents who may feel the weight of expectation to capitalise on their fast start. Nevertheless, we are still backing the home side to prevail, potentially with a goal in either half.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
