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The gameweek 14 Eredivisie match between SBV Excelsior and relegation-threatened RKC Waalwijk takes place at the Mandemakers Stadion on Saturday.
In the previous round, the host team got back to winning ways, but their mid-table rivals were not so lucky, falling to the reigning champions Feyenoord 4-2 and suffering their third straight loss.
Waalwijk won their fourth league game of the 2023–24 season in Round 13, defeating PEC Zwolle 2-1 to snap a three-game losing streak.
Despite a late onslaught from home, Filip Stevanovic and Chris Lokesa sealed the victory on the road. Davy van den Berg’s equaliser came after a brawl.
Although winning their second away game was encouraging, Henk Fraser’s team wants to get back to winning ways in front of their supporters after suffering consecutive losses to GO Ahead Eagles (1-0) and Feyenoord (2-1).
Fraser, who must have been happy with his side’s competitiveness in both games, should not be deterred by losses to in-form top-five clubs. Instead, he should view the glass as half-full rather than half-empty.
In an attempt to build on their victory the previous weekend and move up in the standings, RKC should be eager to set the record straight on Saturday.
Despite Excelsior’s dismal performance following a strong start to the season, back-to-back victories in round 14 are far from assured.
Before October, Marinus Dijkhuizen‘s team had only lost one of their seven Eredivisie games. Since then, they had suffered three losses in the league, beginning with a 4-2 home setback to PEC Zwolle a little more than a month ago.
The wobble has been largely caused by the defensive weakness; before the October 22 loss, Dijkhuizen’s team had three shutouts in four games, but they had not kept a clean sheet in the last five.
They have shown their defensive weakness by giving up three goals in the 3-1 loss against Volendam and conceding four goals in their defeats to Feyenoord and PEC Zwolle.
Although it’s unclear if Roodzwarten will turn things around this weekend, a loss would put the hosts on the same 15 points as Excelsior.
RKC Waalwijk Eredivisie form:
L W L L L W
SBV Excelsior Eredivisie form:
D L L D D L
Prior to the match on Saturday, Waalwijk’s health is excellent, and Fraser will be able to choose from his entire roster.
In addition to Stevanovic, two other players who have scored twice each are Yassin Oukili and Michiel Kramer.
Mark Spenkelink and Etienne Vaessen are competing for a position between the sticks; the former was brought back last weekend.
Doubtful for Excelsior are Raphael Eyongo, Mike van Duinen, Lennard Hartjes, Kik Pierie and Jacky Donkor, while Redouan El Yaakoubi and Serano Seymor may still not return this weekend.
The upshot of the away side’s injury issues could be utilising the same side that started in the Feyenoord loss.
RKC Waalwijk possible starting lineup
Vaessen; Lelieveld, Adewoye, Van Den Buijs, Meijers; Roemeratoe, Lokesa, Oukili; Cleonise, Kramer, Stevanovic
SBV Excelsior possible starting lineup
Van Gassel; Horemans, Widell, Nieuwpoort, Zagre; Fitz-Jim, Sandra, Baas; Lamprou, Parrott, Drioech
Our Prediction RKC Waalwijk 0-0 SBV Excelsior or 1-1 Draw
