Roda JC vs RKC Predictions

The standout scoreline amongst Monday’s full roster of fixtures undoubtedly came in Waalwijk, as Play-off hopefuls RKC stunned runaway leaders Twente 4-1 at Mandemakers Stadion. The result ended the Enschede club’s 15 match unbeaten streak, and propelled Fred Grim’s side up to 7^th in the table with six games left to play. Another three victories should be enough to secure RKC’s spot in the top nine, and they will be gunning for more points this Friday when they travel to Kerkrade to face an out of sorts Roda JC.

Twente were a fair way below their best on match day 32, but all credit has to go to RKC who turned in arguably their best display of the season.

Goals from Mauro Bilate and Dylan Seys put Fred Grim’s men well in command at the break, and after the prolific Aitor Cantalapiedra gave the champions elect a lifeline midway through the second half, RKC kept their nerve and eventually eased clear in the final minutes thanks to an own goal from Ricardinho and a strike from substitute Darren Maatsen.

RKC have now won three of their last four Eerste Divisie games following recent victories against MVV (1-4) and Helmond Sport (2-1) and they should be brimming with confidence going into this Friday’s contest at Parkstad Limburg Stadion. The Waalwijk outfit have won four of their last six on the road, and will feel Roda are there for the taking based on the hosts’ poor recent form.

Roda did post their first league win in seven on Monday to edge back up to 10^th in the standings, but they barely got over the line in Kerkrade against whipping boys Jong Utrecht. They found themselves behind after just five minutes following a goal from Keelan Labon, but managed to turn things around courtesy of a penalty from Eerste Divisie’s top scorer Mario Engels and an early second half goal from Mitchel Paulissen.

The victory will come as a great relief to new boss Eric van der Luer, but it did little to paper over the cracks from March away defeats against NEC (1-0), Dordrecht (3-2) and Helmond Sport (4-0).

Crucially though, it is on their travels where Roda have been really struggling after two draws and five defeats from seven, and they have actually held their form pretty well overall in Kerkrade.

Roda have lost just once in their last 12 matches at Parkstad Limburg Stadion, so backers need to consider them a lot more seriously at present when they are playing in front of their own supporters.

Whilst RKC are evidently in better shape overall, it’s not surprising that the bookies can’t split these two in the match betting with defeats at home being such a rarity for Roda.

We also think that this Friday’s contest will be close, and we’re tipping up a draw for minimum stakes. It’s a slight concern that RKC have yet to record a stalemate from 15 games away this term, but that’s factored in to the generous price available. Both sides have been involved in lots of entertaining matches of late, so 2-2 looks the best way forward at lengthy odds in the correct score betting.