FC Den Bosch vs Maastricht Predictions

The lights have all but gone out for Den Bosch in the automatic promotion race following a lacklustre 0-0 draw at 18^th placed Jong AZ last week, and Wil Boessen’s side must now concentrate on finishing the regular campaign as strongly as possible to give themselves some real momentum for the Play-offs. Their spot in the end of season shoot-out is already secured after topping the Period 2 table, and that could lead to complacency over the next few weeks with squad morale seemingly at a low point.

Den Bosch were a shadow of the side that notched 13 wins from 16 games in the middle of the season when they played out a dull stalemate against Jong AZ on match day 25, and their effort has to come as a bit of a warning to punters considering they had the chance to really put pressure on Twente ahead of their Monday night game at Jong PSV.

And there’s beena lack of spark in the Den Bosch ranks for a few weeks now; 2019 started well for The Blue White Dragons with a consummate 3-0 success at home to Oss, and it seemed as though Boessen’s side were going to carry through their immaculate form deep into the campaign.

But they have since collected just two points from a possible 12 following defeats to FC Eindhoven (2-1) and RKC (2-0), and a 1-1 home draw with Volendam prior to last week’s goalless affair in Alkmaar.

With Twente claiming a 0-2 win at Jong PSV on Monday, Den Bosch are now a massive eight points behind the Enschede outfit having been in charge at the turn of the year.

The hosts should really be feeling the pinch then as they prepare to welcome MVV to Stadion De Vliert this Friday, and the visitors are flying at the moment after a 4-2 home success against Jong Utrecht notched their fourth league win on the bounce last Friday.

Granted, the quality of opposition for MVV of late has not been the best, with three of those four victories coming against sides currently in the bottom five, but Ron Elsen’s men have won each by at least a two goal margin, turning in some impressive displays.

Their recent form has lifted them up to 7^th in the Eerste Divisie standings, and a Play-off place now looks a distinct possibility after a sluggish start to the campaign. Nonetheless, with teams down to 15^th all within just a few points of the top nine, MVV will need to continue picking up points at a decent rate over the next few weeks to consolidate their position.

That’s something they have done well for most of the season on the road with 22 points amassed from 12 outings (W6, D4, L2), and with confidence sky high right now, the Maastricht outfit are a team to keep on side, including in this Friday’s clash at Stadion De Vliert.

Den Bosch have won the last three meetings between the sides, including a comfortable 0-3 triumph at De Geusselt earlier this term, but we think MVV have it in them to break that run here with the hosts on a significant downturn.

The 10/3 for an away win certainly looks tempting, but we’d rather up the stakes and play a little safer by backing MVV in the double chance market – which still rewards well at odds-against. It should be a fairly close contest, but it’s MVV to edge it for us and 1-2 is our correct score prediction for this Friday’s action in s-Hertogenbosch.