Netherlands Eerste Divisie Round 28
Netherlands - Eerste Divisie
Matchday 28 (01/03/24, at 20:00 CET)
Willem II, Roda, and Groningen are all on the road and equally expected to return home with at least a point in their pockets. Breda is the one to watch, with potential high-scoring affairs on the fields of Maastricht, The Hague, and Eindhoven facing Jong PSV.
Breda vs. Jong Utrecht
Janosek ignites Breda, securing a home hat-trick against Jong AZ, propelling the yellow and black back to seventh place. Now, van Gastel's team must step up, seeking a home victory that has eluded them for nearly three months. The odds seem favorable: Jong Utrecht unexpectedly won their last away game (2-4 against Cambuur), but their performance away from home is notoriously lacking. Fresh from a recent 0-3 defeat against the modest Oss, Jong Utrecht's prospects are dim. Given the technical gap and the stakes involved, Breda is favored for victory.
De Graafschap vs. Oss
A goal per half secures a 2-0 win over Den Bosch, keeping De Graafschap firmly in the top ranks. Facing another tough opponent, Oss, who has won four of their last six matches, climbing to fourth from bottom. The hosts must be alert; a strong physical performance is needed, as Oss, when in form, can be formidable. Nevertheless, the burden of the result rests squarely on De Graafschap's shoulders. It's a potentially trickier match than anticipated, not necessarily high-scoring but still demanding.
Den Haag vs. Jong Ajax
In a dramatic late comeback, Den Haag salvages a draw against Maastricht (2-2), staying in contention for direct promotion. However, with only one win in their last four matches, Den Haag seems to be losing momentum, while Jong Ajax, after a good spell, faltered badly against the likes of Oss and Telstar (2-1 and 0-3 defeats). The young Ajax squad needs to overcome a mental slump promptly. Expect an open and unstable match; Den Haag is favored on the leaderboard, but both attacks have the potential to shine, making a scenario of three or more total goals likely.
Eindhoven vs. Jong AZ
Heartbreak in the late stages against Venlo (2-2) continues Eindhoven's nine-game winless streak. While playoff contention is still within reach at six points adrift, Eindhoven must reverse their fortunes swiftly. However, Jong AZ is a challenging opponent, coming off a close defeat against Breda (2-3) and likely to play aggressively. Although Eindhoven holds the record for the most draws (12) in the Eerste Divisie, they now only seek favorable outcomes. Thus, in what could be a balanced contest, a win for either side is reasonable.
Emmen vs. Willem II
Breaking a dreadful nine-game winless streak, Emmen defeats Cambuur 2-0, leaving the league's top scorers dry. For the red and white team, a new chapter begins: trailing by three points for playoff qualification, they must now chase rather than conserve. Friday's match against the league leaders represents a crucial test; earning points against Willem II would signify a definitive recovery. However, Willem II unexpectedly stumbled in their last match against Roda (2-3), though they maintain a comfortable lead. Nonetheless, for Bokila and his teammates, dispelling the crisis is imperative. While not an easy challenge, a draw or away victory seems likely due to the technical and experiential gaps.
Helmond vs. Venlo
A valuable point against Groningen (0-0) keeps Helmond within reach of the playoff spots (-5). Every match from now on for Kaars and his teammates is akin to a final. First on the list is Venlo, four points ahead, themselves held to a draw against Eindhoven in the previous round (2-2) and struggling for consistency. It's an important match for both teams, and both have their strengths: Helmond boasts Kaars's goals (19 so far), while Venlo presents a more complete and lethal collective when in form. Expect goals from both sides.
Maastricht vs. Dordrecht
Maastricht almost pulls off a surprise against Den Haag but settles for a draw (2-2), still keeping their playoff dream alive. Dordrecht, on the other hand, comfortably defeated Jong PSV (0-1), marking their third clean sheet victory in the last four matches. Santoni's men are justifying their fourth position, but beware of slip-ups; their last three defeats were all by three or more goals. An open, high-paced game is anticipated, rich in goals, with both attacks outshining their defenses.
Telstar vs. Roda
With seven points in the last three matches, including a prestigious away win against Jong Ajax, Telstar has revived under new management. Although they remain a team with limitations, enthusiasm and new protagonists, from Gravenberch to El Kachati, have emerged. However, Roda is on a roll, securing a thrilling victory in Tilburg (2-3), narrowing the gap to league leaders Willem II to just four points. For Sibum's side, it's their third consecutive win, with ten goals scored in this period, indicating a resurgent attack. While Telstar's resilient defense should not be underestimated, a draw or away win seems probable.
Den Bosch vs. Groningen (04/03/24, at 19:00 CET)
Den Bosch's defeat against De Graafschap (2-0) leaves them at the bottom of the table. However, the real concern lies in their goal-scoring drought, now stretching to six games. Groningen, though held to a draw (0-0 against Helmond) in the last match, is enjoying a good spell, with 23 points in the last 10 games, a pace fit for champions. All odds favor the visitors to leave 's-Hertogenbosch with one or more points. However, considering their defensive strength, Groningen boasting the best defense in the league, perhaps this is when Den Bosch finally breaks their goal drought?
Jong PSV vs. Cambuur (04/03/24, at 19:00 CET)
A narrow loss (0-1 against Dordrecht) in the last match sees Jong PSV's defensive efforts in vain. The season has been disappointing overall. All eyes are on Cambuur, coming off a heartbreaking loss in the cup semifinals and a mixed bag in the league. De Jong's side needs to refocus on securing a playoff spot - currently eighth - as the league's top scorers deserve at least that much. However, both teams have leaky defenses, with a total of 111 goals conceded, indicating tactical confusion and high unpredictability in their direct encounter. Expect a match with a medium to high goal count, at least in theory.