NAC Breda vs Sparta – News and Probable Lineups

Desperate to avoid relegation, NAC Breda will host Sparta Rotterdam at the Rat Verlegh Stadion on Sunday evening.

The home side finds itself in the relegation zone with just six matches remaining, while Sparta comes into this fixture just outside the European spots due to goal difference.

Match overview

Having achieved five straight league victories either side of the holiday season, Sparta Rotterdam entered February as the league’s top-performing team, but few could have predicted their subsequent winless streak over the following six games.

Maurice Steijn’s squad was held to draws against Fortuna Sittard, NEC, and PEC Zwolle, sandwiching losses to AZ Alkmaar, Heerenveen, and Ajax, before returning to form with a 2-0 victory over Volendam last time out.

The upcoming match represents what seems to be Sparta’s most manageable challenge remaining on paper; however, the Rotterdam outfit will be cautious not to underestimate Breda, having secured only one win in their last five encounters—though that win did come in their latest meeting in December’s reverse fixture at Het Kasteel.

A victory this Sunday could elevate De Rood-Witte Gladiatoren up to sixth place in the standings, contingent on other results, but they must resolve their recent away defensive issues, having conceded 11 goals across the last four away games.

With a tough match against champions-in-the-making PSV Eindhoven on the horizon, Sparta risks falling behind their rivals in the race for European football if they do not meet the challenge over the next couple of weeks.

Breda’s 15th-place finish in the 2024-25 season brought more relief than joy following their return to the top division, but their current campaign has highlighted their struggle to compete at the peak of Dutch football.

Following a 2-1 loss to PEC Zwolle before the international break, Carl Hoefkens’s team has now suffered 15 defeats in 28 league matches, with only five wins and a mere 29 goals scored—both the lowest in the league.

With only 23 points accumulated, Breda sits 17th in the table, four points behind Telstar, Volendam, and SBV Excelsior, but they can take comfort in knowing those three sides still have to face each other.

However, five of Parel van het Zuiden’s remaining six games are against teams currently in the top half, meaning they will need to achieve multiple upsets to perform a miraculous survival from relegation.

Only Heracles and Volendam have secured a higher percentage of their points at home than Breda (69.5%), making it vital for them to harvest nine points from their last three home fixtures to strengthen their chances of surviving.

Team News

The 20-year-old Moussa Soumano remains unavailable due to an ankle injury sustained in mid-February and will miss the match for Breda on Sunday.

Leo Greiml is the only other confirmed absentee for Breda as he completes his three-match ban following a red card against Feyenoord.

Mohamed Nassoh ended a 14-match goal drought with his consolation goal against Zwolle last time and will aim to score in consecutive games when he encounters his former club this weekend.

Currently with 11 league goals for the season, Tobias Lauritsen is just two short of his personal best of 13 for Sparta Rotterdam, achieved in both the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons.

Venezuelan international Teo Quintero is ineligible for the visitors, possibly allowing Patrick van Aanholt a rare opportunity to start at left-back.

NAC Breda probable starting XI:

Bielica; Kemper, Hillen, Jensen, Odoi; Leemans, Balard; Nassoh, Paula, Brym; Salama

Sparta Rotterdam probable starting XI:

Drommel; Van Aanholt, Martins Indi, Young, Martes; Boss, Santos; Van Bergen, Van Crooij, Mito; Lauritsen

Both sides are in dire need of all three points, albeit for contrasting reasons, and with a draw being unfavorable for either team, a fiercely contested match is anticipated.

That said, Breda has managed to amass four points from their last two home fixtures, and we believe they might just manage to secure a narrow victory by the odd goal.