Sparta Rotterdam vs De Graafschap Predictions

De Graafschap managed to stave off Eerste Divisie side Cambuur with a fair degree of comfort in the Second Round, but Henk de Jong’s side face a much sterner test in the shape of Sparta Rotterdam over the next few days as they look to hold onto their place in the top flight. Sparta finished as runners-up this term and dominated most of their second tier opponents at home, so De Graafschap know that they will have to be at their absolute best to take anything away from Het Kasteel on Saturday.

Sparta notched 14 wins from their 19 home fixtures in the regular season, and they produced another authoritative display at Het Kasteel in midweek to beat Oss 3-0. The result secured a straightforward 4-1 aggregate success for Henk Fraser’s charges, and they head into this weekend’s 1^st Leg with De Graafschap as the bookies’ favourites to take control of the tie.

That’s not surprising when you also consider that De Graafschap lost 13 of their 17 away matches in Eredivisie this season, conceding a huge 47 goals in the process. Superboeren managed to avoid defeat in the Second Round as they drew 1-1 against Cambuur in Leeuwarden; however their performance left much to be desired as the hosts had to play the majority of the second period with ten men.

De Graafschap turned in a markedly better display to see off Cambuur 2-0 at De Vijverberg in midweek, and ultimately progressed through to the Final Round without too much fuss. However Sparta have proved themselves to be a far more accomplished outfit than Cambuur, and this tie really does pit one of Eerste Divisie’s best teams against one of Eredivisie’s worst.

De Graafschap will back themselves to come through this double header if they can stay in the contest come the end of the 1^st Leg, but we think that Sparta can establish a sizeable advantage in Rotterdam this Saturday.

The hosts have been prolific in attack throughout the campaign, scoring at an average of just over two goals per game, and they should have enough class and firepower to really put De Graafschap’s rear guard to the sword.