FC Twente vs. Sparta – News and Probable Lineups

FC Twente is continuing their quest for a Champions League spot as they host Sparta Rotterdam at De Grolsch Veste this Sunday evening.

Conversely, the away team is looking to solidify their ninth position, which would provide an opportunity for them to compete in the Conference League play-offs.

Match overview

In their last fixture, Twente found themselves drawing 2-2 with KNVB Beker champions AZ Alkmaar, marking the second consecutive match where they took the lead but had to settle for a draw.

Peer Koopmeiners’s late equalizer stopped John van den Brom’s squad from achieving what would have been their fourth win in five matches; however, they remain unbeaten in 21 of their last 22 games since a 3-2 loss to Ajax on October 26.

With NEC and Ajax also unable to secure points recently, the Tukkers are only one point behind third position in the Eredivisie and still hold aspirations of returning to Europe’s premier club tournament for the first time since the 2010-11 season.

Nevertheless, hopes of surpassing Feyenoord for second place appear dim as Twente trails De Stadionclub by six points ahead of the last two matches.

Twente will face champions PSV on the final day, meaning anything less than three points against Sparta would create substantial pressure for their match in Eindhoven.

Historical results in this matchup favor Twente, who have gone 13 consecutive encounters without a loss, including a decisive 5-1 victory in their prior meeting in September.

After achieving five consecutive victories in the league around the new year, Sparta Rotterdam found themselves fifth in the standings by the end of January, just four points shy of second position and seemingly on track for their first top-four finish since 1985.

However, fast forward to 11 matches later, and Maurice Steijn’s squad risks missing out on European football, having managed only one win in their last 11 league fixtures while picking up just 10 out of a possible 33 points.

A last match 2-2 draw against Go Ahead Eagles halted a two-game losing streak for De Kasteelheren, who now have little room for error if they wish to end the season in the top half and keep their European hopes alive, with Groningen lurking just a point behind.

Despite recent challenges, Sparta still holds the record for the most clean sheets this season in the Eredivisie and will need their defensive prowess against a team that has scored 12 times in their last six home fixtures.

As they conclude their away fixtures for the season, Sunday’s visitors are eager to break a six-match winless streak on the road (D2, L4), during which they’ve conceded 15 goals while scoring only five.

Team News

Mees Hilgers remains out due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury incurred in November, making him the only confirmed absence for Twente this weekend.

However, Lars Unnerstall’s fitness is uncertain due to a muscle issue, which may lead to Przemyslaw Tyton making only his second league appearance this season.

With four goals and seven assists in his last 11 matches for the home side, Sam Lammers has recovered from a sluggish start to the season and is a player to keep an eye on.

Tobias Lauritsen contributed a goal and an assist for Sparta against Go Ahead Eagles but had to leave the pitch due to an injury.

While Lauritsen’s potential involvement on Sunday is doubtful, Mike Kleijn will be absent again with a muscle injury that has kept him out of the last two fixtures.

FC Twente probable starting XI:

Unnerstall; M Rots, Nijstad, Lemkin, Van Rooij; Van den Belt, Zerrouki; D Rock, Hlynsson, Orjasaeter; Lammers

Sparta Rotterdam probable starting XI:

Drommel; Vianello, Quintero, Young, Martes; Santos, Kitolano, Van Crooij; Van Bergen, Lauritsen, Mito

With both teams eager to secure maximum points, neither is likely to settle for a draw, which promises an entertaining fixture.

Sparta has faced difficulties in recent times, thus Twente will feel confident in aiming for a win to draw closer to their European aspirations, and we forecast the hosts to claim a comfortable victory.