Go Ahead Eagles vs. Sparta – News and Probable Lineups

On Saturday, two sides seeking a much-needed victory will meet at De Adelaarshorst as Go Ahead Eagles take on Sparta Rotterdam.

The hosts have failed to secure a win in their last four encounters heading into this weekend, while the visitors arrive aiming to clinch their first victory in six outings.

Match overview

Go Ahead Eagles began their season strongly with seven points from their first three matches, but their form has significantly dropped since suffering a 5-2 defeat to AZ Alkmaar at the end of August, marking their first loss of the campaign.

Following a 1-1 draw with NEC prior to the international break, Joseph Oosting’s squad has recorded three successive draws and currently occupies ninth place in the Eredivisie standings with 10 points from a possible 21 after previously reaching as high as second.

Despite a recent dip, the Pride of the IJssel Kowet are still a point ahead of their position at this time last season, although that provides little solace as they gear up to face Sparta after a lengthy 20-day hiatus for the international window.

With the fifth-best offensive stats in the league featuring 16 goals, Go Ahead Eagles have been impressive in attack but have struggled defensively, failing to keep a clean sheet and averaging two goals conceded per match.

Nevertheless, the hosts can feel confident about their chances for a favorable result, having been a formidable opponent at home lately; since March 15, only PSV has left De Adelaarshorst with maximum points, while four of the last seven visiting teams have been beaten.

Following a fantastic run of five consecutive league wins between December 2025 and January 2026, Sparta Rotterdam had hopes of securing European qualification as the year turned.

However, their subsequent performances indicate they might be facing a relegation struggle this season unless their fortunes take a dramatic turn for the better.

Sparta managed only one victory from their last 13 matches in the league during the 2025-26 season, which led to the end of Maurice Steijn’s second tenure as head coach. The appointment of ex-NEC Nijmegen manager Rogier Meijer has yet to produce the expected revival.

After enduring a humbling 4-0 defeat at the hands of Heerenveen – their second successive loss – De Kasteelheren remain on five points from seven games this season. They have accumulated the fewest points over the last five matchdays (two), with their solitary win coming against Telstar (3-1) in matchday two.

Sitting just a point above the relegation zone, Sparta risks falling into the bottom three by the conclusion of the weekend if they lose to Go Ahead Eagles and results elsewhere do not favor them.

Saturday’s visitors recorded a decisive 3-0 win on their previous visit to Deventer and will be eager to replicate such a performance to reignite their season and extend their unbeaten streak in this fixture to four matches, having previously lost the last four encounters.

Team News

Pim Saathof is still recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained in May and is not expected to make a return anytime soon.

Twenty-year-old Eus Waayers is also likely to miss out as he was not included in the Go Ahead squad that faced NEC.

Mathis Suray had to be substituted due to injury in that match, which puts his participation this weekend in question.

Shunsuke Mito is the only injury concern for Sparta, as he has been absent for the last two matches, and the Japan international, who scored in his last game against Go Ahead, will be eager to return.

Milan Zonneveld saw his run of scoring in four consecutive matches end against Heerenveen but remains a player to watch for the visitors.

Go Ahead Eagles probable starting XI:

Bunch; Sampsted, Dirksen, Kramer, James; Meulensteen, Linthorst; Tengstedt, Edvardsen, Suray; Sigurdarson

Sparta Rotterdam probable starting XI:

Brewer; Kuipers, Martins Indi, Young, Martes; Hatenboer, Boss; Van Bergen, Mito, Babadi; Sunfield

Go Ahead Eagles seem to have the upper hand over Sparta in both attacking and defensive aspects, and with the advantage of playing at home, we anticipate them to come out on top.

However, it’s likely that the hosts will have to wait longer for their first clean sheet of the season.