Telstar vs Roda JC Predictions

Roda JC would have hoped for much more than a point at home to Oss on Friday night, but the Kerkrade outfit at least maintained their unbeaten start under new boss Eric van der Luer to stay in the Play-off race. With Telstar’s aspirations of a top nine finish all but over after a 2-0 defeat at Almere City on match day 35, Roda will be confident that they can land the spoils in IJmuiden on Easter Monday.

Roda JC strolled to a 3-0 success when these sides met in November’s reverse fixture at Parkstad Limburg Stadion, so it’s somewhat surprising that the Kerkrade side are rated second best by the bookmakers ahead of this clash.

They have been solid if unspectacular thus far under Eric van der Luer to post two wins and two draws from four outings, but the results have stabilised their season and kept them firmly in the hunt for a top nine finish with three matches to play.

The fact that they have lost five of their last eight on the road is an obvious concern, but a 1-2 away win against FC Eindhoven a fortnight ago will have done them the world of good and they know that Telstar won’t be in the best of spirits heading into this fixture.

Mike Snoei’s men won six out of seven throughout March and early April however consecutive away defeats against Twente (1-0) and Almere City (2-0) mean that they now need a miracle to qualify for the Play-offs.

They are eight points behind the top nine so even three wins from three is unlikely to suffice, and in all probability they will have given up the ghost when they left the field at Yanmar Stadion on Friday.

It would be unfair to question the integrity of this Telstar team who should still try their best on Monday afternoon, but with a quick turnaround to deal with it is surely Roda who will really have the bit between their teeth.

The feeling is that Roda are by far the better side out of this pair but simply underperformed for long periods this term under Robert Molenaar, and we expect them to confirm the gulf in class on match day 36.

With lots to play for and a renewed drive about the visitors under van der Luer, we’re backing an away win in this one at around the 7/4 mark alongside a 0-2 correct score.