ADO Den Haag vs Cambuur – News and Probable Lineups

On Saturday, ADO Den Haag will host Cambuur at the Werktalent Stadion in The Hague. This matchup features two teams newly promoted to the Eredivisie and carries significant implications for relegation early in the season.

Robin Peter’s team currently occupies the last position in the Eredivisie standings after six games, still in search of their first league victory since returning to the top flight following a five-year absence. In contrast, Johan Plat’s Cambuur arrive with a much better mindset after recently breaking their own winless streak with a convincing 3-0 victory over NEC Nijmegen.

Match overview

ADO Den Haag returned to the Eredivisie as champions of the Eerste Divisie but have encountered a disastrous start to their return to the elite tier.

Peter’s squad has managed to secure only one point from their first six fixtures, which was earned through a 2-2 draw away against Feyenoord.

Aside from that, results have been disappointing, with defeats to AZ, FC Groningen, Go Ahead Eagles, and Fortuna Sittard, capped off by a 2-0 setback at FC Twente last week that extended their winless streak to six games.

This loss in Enschede marked Twente’s milestone 2,000th Eredivisie match, with Wout Weghorst converting a penalty in the 60th minute, followed by a header from captain Robin Propper from a corner.

Kilian Nikiema, the goalkeeper, emerged as one of the few positives from the game, making saves from Weghorst and finishing with double-digit saves.

A staggering sixteen goals conceded over six matches raises serious concerns for Peter, whose team has also netted only six times this season.

Cambuur, who were promoted after finishing second in the Eerste Divisie, have also shown a lack of confidence during the initial stages of the season.

Plat’s squad began with a tough 0-4 defeat at home against Excelsior and managed to take just one point from their first five fixtures prior to their match against NEC Nijmegen.

The lone point was hard-earned, as they equalized late against Telstar after leading 2-0 deep into stoppage time to end in a 2-2 draw.

However, their match against NEC saw a turnaround as they convincingly triumphed 3-0 over a Dick Schreuder team preparing for Europa League action against Juventus.

Ilyes Hamache scored twice in that victory, with a third goal added in stoppage time by substitute Iwan Henstra.

The clean sheet against NEC was particularly significant, representing a marked improvement for a defense that had previously conceded 18 goals in five matches.

Rafik El Arguioui continues to lead the team in goals with four and acts as the creative fulcrum between Cambuur’s midfield and attack.

Team News

De Ooievaars will be missing Mylian Jimenez and Cameron Peupion, which leaves them short on options in both the midfield and attack.

Nikiema is likely to keep his spot in goal after his performance at Twente, with Jonas Jensen-Abbew, Matteo Waem, Pascal Mulder, and Milan Hokke expected to form the defensive line in front of him.

Peter also has a new option available as ADO Den Haag confirmed the free signing of winger Alex Pozo this week. The 27-year-old former Almeria player can cover the right side after he settles into the team.

Plat will be without Wout Asselman and Daan Visser, but he can maintain the core of the team that overwhelmed NEC.

Thijs Jansen is anticipated to remain in goal with a defensive line consisting of Morgan Costarelli, Billy van Duijl, Ismael Baouf, and Devid Eugene Bouah.

Mathieu Maertens and Nicky Souren should be positioned as the double pivot in midfield, allowing El Arguioui to connect the lines effectively.

Fabian Kvam and Hamache are expected to flank lone striker Nicolas Binder, who has contributed two assists this season.

Hamache will enter the match full of confidence following his brace against NEC, bringing his season total to three goals.

ADO Den Haag probable starting XI:

Nikiema; Jensen-Abbew, Mulder, Waem, Hokke; Kilo, the Brown; Raterink, Rottier, Hawkins; Eduardo

Cambuur probable starting XI:

Jansen; Costarelli, van Duijl, Baouf, Bouah; Souren, Maertens; Kvam, El Arguioui, Hamache; Binder

Cambuur enters this fixture with the psychological advantage, having gone unbeaten in their last five encounters with ADO Den Haag, the latest being a 1-2 victory at this very location in January.

A defense that finally secured a clean sheet against NEC gives Plat a solid foundation to build upon, and with El Arguioui and Hamache in good scoring form, the visitors appear capable of taking advantage of a Den Haag backline that has conceded 16 goals in six fixtures.

While ADO Den Haag is expected to have enough attacking threat through Eduardo along with the benefit of home ground, a fourth consecutive game without a victory seems more probable for Robin Peter’s side.