FC Oss vs Sparta Rotterdam Predictions

Sparta Rotterdam are heavy odds-on favourites to progress from this tie after finishing 2^nd in the Eerste Divisie table, but there are many reasons to believe that Oss can give them a real run for their money.  Klaas Wels’ side ended the regular season in fantastic form, and ran out convincing 1-4 winners when these teams last met at Het Kasteel in mid-April.

Oss will be delighted with their 6^th place finish this term after blowing a decent start in the previous campaign, and they head into the Play-Offs unbeaten in their last six and on a winning streak of three following a consummate 0-4 success away to Helmond Sport a fortnight ago.

Oss’ best result in the run in was undoubtedly their highly unexpected 1-4 triumph against Sparta last month – making them one of only two teams this season to win at Het Kasteel alongside runaway champions Twente.

They have the benefit of home advantage for this Sunday’s 1^st Leg encounter against the Rotterdam outfit and Wels’ charges will be confident that they can make life extremely difficult for their opponents again. Oss have turned Frans Heesen Stadion into a bit of a fortress in recent times with four wins and a draw from their last five matches and impressively they have kept four clean sheets in that sequence.

It’s hard to understand then why the bookies have made Sparta clear favourites for this opening clash based on their low key end to the regular season and the fact that they have generally struggled on the road throughout the campaign.

In stark contrast to the hosts, Sparta ended the regular season on a really bum note with just one win from their last six and they were beaten on three occasions over that short period.

Their latest defeat came against stragglers Jong AZ on the final day in Alkmaar (3-2) – a result which typified Sparta’s overall inconsistency away from home this term. Henk Fraser’s side have been ruthless and dominant in Rotterdam but have won just five from 19 on their travels which is the main reason why they were unable to keep pace with rivals Twente.

On those stats alone, Sparta should be a lot bigger than the 11/10 on offer here  – and arguably they should be the underdogs for this 1^st Leg when you factor in how strong Oss have been at home over the past couple of months.

The hosts definitely merit support in this one then however the smart play looks to be the double chance market as whilst Sparta have only won five away this term, they have only lost the same amount too with almost 50% their games on the road ending all square. So the safe option makes appeal for a larger stake, with a 2-1 home win forecasted in the correct score market.