Sparta Rotterdam vs Helmond Sport Predictions

2^nd placed Sparta Rotterdam take on second bottom Helmond Sport at Het Kasteel this Friday night, and this match looks like a complete foregone conclusion at first glance. But backers shouldn’t be queuing up to steam into Sparta at around 1/6 following last weekend’s 1-4 home defeat to Oss and the shock 3-0 win which Helmond pulled off in November’s reverse fixture at Lavans Stadion. With the hosts seemingly turning their attentions towards the Play-offs, can the visitors cause another upset to record their first away success of the campaign?

Sparta Rotterdam have had a decent campaign all told – they are clear best of the rest in 2^nd place and have only been outdone by an inspired Twente side who possess a great deal more quality and depth in their squad.

Nonetheless, the Sparta faithful will feel a degree of frustration, as the ten point gap between themselves and the champions elect could be a lot narrower had their team maintained a bit more focus and consistency throughout the season.

Sparta endured a six match winless run at the turn of the year which ultimately killed off their automatic promotion chances, but they also suffered a real wobble in November which culminated in a 3-0 defeat against Helmond Sport at Lavans Stadion.

That result and last weekend’s abysmal reverse against Oss are just six points of many which Sparta arguably shouldn’t have dropped, and it’s difficult to forecast how they will approach this Friday’s clash considering they went into last Sunday’s contest looking rock solid after seven wins and two draws from nine.

They really should knock over Helmond in this one as the visitors have yet to register an away win this term, but the odds on offer for the hosts are pretty appalling.

Sport fully deserve to be at the foot of the table as they have been woeful for the majority of the campaign, however their aforementioned victory against Sparta is not the only flash of brilliance that they have shown.

They romped to a 4-0 triumph at home to Roda JC a few weeks ago, whilst they also earned a 1-1 draw against 3^rd placed Go Ahead Eagles in mid-March.

There’s no denying that Sport’s results on the road are a sorry sight (they have lost seven away on the spin now) however they played really well for long periods last week and only went down 3-2 in Nijmegen against a highly motivated NEC side who are seeking to force their way into the Play-offs.

It’s a huge if, but if Sport can raise their level again here and match some of their best performances at home, a result for Rob Alflen’s men is not out of the question. They have already beaten Sparta this season and the head to head reads nine wins apiece from 27 previous encounters.

Henk Fraser’s side would have struggled to beat anyone based on last week’s dismal effort, and with doubts over their intensity and motivation, we’re predicting a turn up in this one for small stakes on a value basis. There will be plenty worse 14/1 shots this Easter weekend, and for anyone focusing on the correct score market we’re going for a 1-2 result in favour of the minnows.