Two struggling Eredivisie sides, RKC Waalwijk and FC Volendam, meet on Saturday in the ninth round of the competition at the Mandemakers Stadion.
Both clubs are in the bottom four places in the league table and need the points this weekend to rise in the standings.
Match preview
Waalwijk claimed back-to-back wins without conceding to close out September but lost 1-0 at Eredivisie debutants Almere City before the international break.
The defeat prevented Henk Fraser's men from rising to mid-table in the league, leaving them a point off the relegation playoff place and two ahead of this weekend's opponent.
RKC won their recent home fixture against Twente, ending a run of consecutive losses at the Mandemakers Stadion, even if those defeats came against AZ Alkmaar and PSV.
The solitary victory saw Fraser's team score only their second goal in front of their fans, a record they hope to better against a side they fancy themselves to beat.
Fraser is new in the job, having taken over in the summer, but the new coach seeks to repeat the 4-1 victory over Volendam in May.
As for Palingboeren, maximum points have been hard to come by this season, with five defeats leaving the away side second-bottom.
Volendam did secure their first win of the 2023-24 season before the international break, even if observers will point out that it came against cellar-dwelling Utrecht.
Matthias Kohler seeks to prove that the club's first campaign win was not a one-off, but their wretched away record (three defeats in as many games) diminishes optimism for the side who returned to the Eredivisie last season after a 13-year absence.
The concession of 10 goals to Go Ahead Eagles, Fortuna Sittard and PSV suggests a soft underbelly for a side with the second-worst away defensive record.
Volendam's only away win of 2022-23 came at relegated Cambuur, underscoring their away struggles and pointing to yet another disappointment this weekend.
Team News
Etienne Vaessen's head injury could rule out the Waalwijk goalkeeper out of round nine's action against Volendam.
Vaessen's injury is the only doubt for Fraser, who is expected to utilise a 4-2-3-1 formation as his side seek to find the clinical edge to add to their paltry five goals from seven matches.
Xavier Mbuyamba and Koen Blommestijn are absent from Saturday's game through injury, along with George Cox and Robin Maulun, who are also in the wars.
Robert Muhren has netted three of Volendam's six goals this season, and the forward should play a pivotal role for the visitors in round nine's game.
RKC Waalwijk possible starting lineup:
Houwen; Leliveld, Bruma, Gaari, Meijers; Felida, Oukili; Bakkali, Min, Cleonise; Kramer
FC Volendam possible starting lineup:
Backhaus; Plat, Flint, Mirani, Payne; Twigt, Haan, Nazih; Ould-Chikh, Zeefulk, Kuol
We say: RKC Waalwijk 2-1 FC Volendam
Even though Saturday's match could go either way, Volendam's inability to secure away results means Waalwijk should edge the encounter.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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