Two sides currently undergoing a rough patch will do battle in round 14 of the 2024-25 Eredivisie season as NAC Breda entertain the challenge of Almere City on Saturday.
The home side are winless in their last four matches across all competitions, while the away side head to the Rat Verlegh Stadion off the back of four straight defeats.
Match preview
After winning four straight games in October to kick off the month on a high, NAC Breda were flying high on their return to the Eredivisie after a five-year absence, but things have since gone on a downward spiral.
A shock 2-1 defeat to Barendrecht to end October was soon followed by league defeats against Heracles and PSV Eindhoven before Carl Hoefkens's men played out a thrilling 2-2 stalemate against Willem II.
Having led by two thanks to goals in either half from Leo Sauer and Leo Greiml, Parel van het Zuiden were set to record a rare triumph on the road before Jesse Bosch and Jeremy Bokila struck in the final 30 minutes to restore parity.
Understandably, Breda will see their draw against Willem II as two points dropped rather than a point gained, having now dropped down to 11th place in the Eredivisie table, albeit outside the top half only on goal difference.
Ahead of a first ever Dutch top-flight meeting between the teams, Saturday's hosts could really do with a return to winning ways in front of their fans, where they have won four of six league matches this term.
Despite finishing five points clear of the drop zone last season, Almere City were a tad unlucky not to have been involved in a relegation scrap having failed to win any of their final 12 matches of the campaign.
As a result, Alex Pastoor saw his time in charge come to an inevitable end shortly after reaching 100 games managed for the club, with fellow Dutchman Hedwiges Maduro taking the reins for his first senior job on a permanent basis.
Fast forward four months down the line, and it is safe to say Hedwiges's appointment has not had the desired effect, with De Zwarte Schapen currently languishing in the relegation zone, six points shy of safety after 13 matches.
More worryingly, Saturday's visitors have been underwhelming at both ends of the pitch having scored the fewest goals in the division (six), while only bottom-place RKC Waalwijk have conceded more goals (35) than Almere's tally of 33 so far.
Following a comprehensive 3-0 defeat to Go Ahead Eagles last time out, Almere City are one of four teams still yet to win a league game away from home this term, highlighting the size of their task this weekend.
Team News
Cherrion Valerius is still battling with a knee injury that he picked up in October's friendly matchup, having missed each of Breda's six matches since then.
Leo Greiml was on target for the home side on his return to action from a suspension, and the defender will be looking to deliver the goods once again.
Forward Baptiste Guillaume continues to work his way back up to full fitness and is nearing a comeback from an injury problem that has sidelined him since early October.
Twenty-three-year-old Alex Balboa is still out of contention for Sunday's visitors due to a knee injury and has made just four appearances all-season long.
NAC Breda possible starting lineup:
Bielica; Kemper, Van der Bergh, Greiml, Lucassen; Oldrup Jensen, Balard; Sauer, Leemans, Garbett; Omarsson
Almere City possible starting lineup:
Bakker; Zagaritis, Lawrence, Jacobs, Visus, Akujobi; Haye, Tahiri, Van de Kamp; Hansen, Kadile
We say: NAC Breda 1-0 Almere City
Almere City could really do with a positive result at the moment as they look to snap a woeful run of form and kickstart their season.
We are anticipating a drab and nervy affair with the home side just about edging out their visitors in the end.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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