Maastricht vs Sparta Rotterdam Predictions

Sparta Rotterdam were given a real run for their money on match day 11, but a late strike from substitute Ibrahim Dervisoglu eventually sank Telstar 3-2 at Het Kasteel and wrapped up the Period 1 table for Henk Fraser’s side. It means Sparta are now assured of at least a Play-off place come the end of the season, and they’ll look to kick on in the title race this week when they take on MVV at De Geusselt.

Sparta’s seventh win of the campaign last week was undoubtedly their most important of the season, and they’ll really be gunning for top spot in Eerste Divisie now with insurance of the Play-offs in the bank.

Like some of their previous successes this term, it wasn’t exactly plain sailing for Sparta at Het Kasteel on match day 11 despite looking that way early on after hitman Lars Veldwijk bagged a brace inside 26 minutes.

A second half fight back from a spirited Telstar threatened to derail Henk Fraser’s men who were seeking to close out the Period 1 table, but Dervisoglu’s goal nine minutes from time got the Rotterdam outfit out of jail.

The result also kept Sparta 2^nd in the outright standings and two points behind leaders Go Ahead Eagles, and victory against MVV this Friday will send them top of the league, at least temporarily, with Go Ahead facing off against Telstar on Sunday afternoon.

And despite their average form on the road this term with one win, three draws and one defeat recorded from five outings, the trip De Geusselt is unlikely to present Sparta with too many concerns.

MVV have really struggled in their own back yard this season losing three of their five matches there so far, including a dismal 0-3 slump to Den Bosch at the start of October.

Ron Elsen’s men have shipped a total of ten goals in Maastricht, where performances have been a stark contrast to what they’ve shown on their travels.

MVV have won three and drawn three of their away games, conceding just three goals, and that’s the reason why they’re comfortably in mid-table heading into match day 12.

It remains a bit of a mystery as to why MVV are falling to pieces at De Geusselt, but that won’t bother opponents Sparta who’ll feel they’re ripe for the taking this week.

And whilst this will be the first meeting between the teams for three seasons, MVV fans won’t be relishing the contest following 1-3 and 6-0 defeats to Sparta in the 2015/16 campaign.

Sparta have in fact won the last four matches between the teams with the minimum of fuss, and we expect their head to head domination to continue in this fixture.

The visitors haven’t exactly found their shooting boots away from Het Kasteel with just five goals scored in five, but it’s hard to envisage the likes of Veldwijk and Dervisoglu failing to cash in here with MVV’s rear guard struggling so much on home soil.

Henk Fraser’s side are building a habit for getting the job done, and we’re backing them to do so on Friday with a 1-2 win, a result which will heap the pressure onto rivals Go Ahead going into the weekend.