Looking to record their maiden victory of the 2024-25 league campaign, relegation candidates Almere City will welcome Europa League-bound FC Twente to Yanmar Stadion for an Eredivisie clash on Sunday afternoon.
De Zwarte Schapen have failed to live up to their standards from last season during the opening weeks of the fresh term, whilst the Tukkers are beginning to hit their stride following a rocky start domestically and on the continental stage.
Match preview
During their first-ever Eredivisie campaign in the 2023-24 season, little Almere City defied all pre-season expectations to finish 13th in the final standings, five points above SBV Excelsior in the relegation playoff spot, although the early signs point towards Sunday's hosts facing a much tougher task in avoiding the drop this time around.
Taking charge of a first team on a permanent basis for the first time, former Ajax assistant coach Hedwiges Maduro is now in command at Yanmar Stadion following the departure of Alex Pastoor at the conclusion of last term, with the 39-year-old yet to enjoy a maiden competitive victory at the helm of his hometown club.
Maduro endured a poor start to the Eredivisie campaign, with Almere losing each of their first three Eredivisie matches by an aggregate scoreline of 11-1, but the top-flight minnows have since steadied the ship, recording back-to-back draws with Groningen and most recently fellow struggles Heracles on September 15.
Keeping a clean sheet at Asito Stadion last time out against Heracles, De Zwarte Schapen goalkeeper Nordin Bakker recorded his first shutout since the 1-0 success over PEC Zwolle in February, highlighting his side's need for serious defensive improvements this campaign.
Recruited from the third tier of French football during the summer of 2023, striker Thomas Robinet delivered the goods in emphatic fashion for Almere during 2023-24 as he netted 11 Eredivisie goals, although the 28-year-old is yet to score in four league appearances so far this season.
Enjoying their best Eredivisie campaign in a decade last time out, finishing behind only title chasers PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord in the league standings, FC Twente's mission to go a step further and challenge for the Dutch crown has started steadily, with Sunday's visitors losing just one of their opening five games.
That being said, there has been major disappointment during the early stages of this season for the Tukkers as they were dumped out of Champions League contention at the playoff round, losing a two-legged affair to Austria champions Red Bull Salzburg, who snatched a spot in the revamped League Phase of UEFA's elite club competition.
Twente have stuttered in the Eredivisie since their Champions League dreams were buried in the middle of August, earning a modest tally of five points from a quartet of league contests, although they did manage to record a two-goal win over Heerenveen on Tuesday night to lift spirits at De Grolsch Veste.
Making the net ripple twice last time out, 22-year-old Sem Steijn doubled his goal total for the campaign to four already, with the attacking midfielder the clear standout star for the Tukkers so far after providing a goal contribution in each of his last five appearances across all competitions.
Building his reputation at the helm of lower league outfits across the Netherlands and recently RKC Waalwijk in the top tier, Joseph Oosting is enjoying his first-ever campaign as a European-level manager, with Twente heading to Manchester United's Old Trafford in the Europa League next week after Sunday's domestic battle at Almere.
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Team News
Replaced after 64 minutes of the stalemate with Heracles last time out, Welsh defender James Lawrence could be a doubt for Almere on Sunday afternoon.
Ricardo Visus will require a new partner at centre-back should the 32-year-old be unavailable, with Joey Jacobs representing the most likely candidate for that role.
After De Zwarte Schapen fired a blank at Heracles, a host of Almere's attackers will be pushing hard for starts, including Ruben Providence and Logan Delaurier-Chaubet.
Suffering an unlikely leg injury whilst on international duty with the Czech Republic in June, Michal Sadilek is yet to return to action for Twente this season.
The midfielder is joined in the Tukkers' medical room by Younes Taha, who is expected to be out until February after breaking his leg earlier this month.
Almere City possible starting lineup:
Bakker; Akujobi, Visus, Lawrence, Zagaritis; Tahiri, De Kamp, Hansen, Robinet, Delaurier-Chaubet; Guillaume
FC Twente possible starting lineup:
Unnerstall; Van Rooij, Hilgers, Bruns, Salah-Eddine; Eiting, Regger, Rots, Steijn, Van Bergen; Lammers
We say: Almere City 1-2 FC Twente
After losing 7-1 to PSV at home earlier in the season, Almere will be desperately looking to avoid another heavy defeat at the hands of an Eredivisie powerhouse this weekend.
Twente appeared to be returning to their best form in the home win over Heerenveen last time out, and we expect the Tukkers to record their second victory of the week at Yanmar Stadion on Sunday.
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