Feyenoord vs De Graafschap Predictions

Feyenoord undid so much hard work when they lost against Excelsior on Sunday, having hit Ajax for six in their previous Eredivisie match. On Saturday the Rotterdam club play host to a De Graafschap side that have picked up two wins since returning from the winter break and moved themselves off the bottom of the table.

Excelsior and Feyenoord went in level at the break goalless, despite the visitors having control of the possession and creating more goal scoring opportunities. Feyenoord did manage to break the deadlock through veteran striker van Persie nine minutes into the second half, but Excelsior soon equalised through Messaoud. The game appeared to be heading for a draw with both teams wasting chances to win the game, especially Feyenoord, but substitute van der Meer scored in the very same minute he was introduced to pinch a 2-1 win for Excelsior against all the odds.

De Graafschap hammered Breda 3-0 last Friday to move off the bottom of the table at the expense of their guests and to within three points of safety. Burgzorg scored the only goal of the first half in the twenty-ninth minute after good work from El Jebli who claimed an assist. The supplier became the scorer in the second half as El Jebli doubled the hosts lead just four minutes after the restart, and in stoppage time Owusu put the icing on the cake with the third and final goal of the game.

We’re expecting to see a big response from Feyenoord this weekend, but fancy both teams to score as De Graafschap have proved once already this season that they know how to cause the Feyenoord defence problems. De Graafschap pulled off a famous opening weekend win over Feyenoord this season, stunning pundits and supporters alike, but this time around the Rotterdam club have the home advantage. Feyenoord have won five of the last six competitive meetings between the two clubs, and two of the pairs last three encounters have seen both teams score. Feyenoord haven’t kept many clean sheets of late, but nobody seems to be able to stop them from scoring either, with five of their last six games ending with both teams on the scoreboard. De Graafschap have looked much better in front of goal following the winter break, scoring in three of their last four in the Eredivisie. All of the above points towards a competitive game in which both sides will have their fair share of chances, with a Feyenoord victory the most likely outcome and both teams to score.

Former Man Utd and Arsenal striker van Persie leads the way in front of goal for Feyenoord despite his advancing age, with eleven league goals so far this season. El Jebli and Serrarens joint top score for the visitors with six Eredivisie goals apiece so far, and the latter scored when De Graafschap beat Feyenoord in August’s reverse fixture.

We’re confident that Feyenoord will win and both teams will score on Saturday, and have backed a final scoreline of three goals to one. Feyenoord were at their best against Ajax and their worst against Excelsior, and just need to find a middle ground on Saturday to outclass and outgun an improving De Graafschap side. The visitors have only picked up two points away from home in the league and that’s another reason why we’re backing Feyenoord to claim all three points.