Prediction: Match to end in 1-1 draw
Best Odds: 6.05
Almere City and FC Emmen will lock horns with each other in the first leg of the 2022–23 Eredivisie playoff final this week. The match between Alex Pastoor’s side and Dick Lukkien’s team will be held at Yanmar Stadion and is scheduled to kick off at 7pm UK time on Tuesday.
Almere City
Almere City are having a very good season, and the fans will be looking forward to the 2022–23 Eredivisie playoff final. Alex Pastoor’s side finished as high as third in the 2022–23 Eerste Divisie table with 70 points from 38 matches. Although De Zwarte Schapen ended up as many 15 points behind Heracles Almelo and PEC Zwolle in the standings, they were the best of the rest and will now fancy their chances of getting the job done over two legs against FC Emmen.
Alex Pastoor’s side have had to do it the hard way in the 2022–23 Eredivisie playoffs. Almere beat Eindhoven 3-2 over two legs after extra time in the first round of the playoffs before getting the better of VVV-Venlo in a penalty shootout after two legs. And now they have to get past FC Emmen.
That Almere City did not finish in the top two of the 2022–23 Eerste Divisie table shows that they are there for the taking. And it has also been tough for them in the playoffs, so a home win in the first leg of the playoff final is a must.
Team News:
Faiz Mattoir has a knee problem and is not going to feature for Almere City in this match. Danny Post was suspended against Venlo and is able to feature against Almere City.
FC Emmen
FC Emmen have had a terrible season, and the fans will be dreading the final two matches. Dick Lukkien’s side ended the regular 2022–23 Eredivisie campaign as low as third from bottom with 28 points from 34 matches. They finished four points behind 15th-placed Excelsior and as many as nine points above Cambuur, who ended the season second from bottom and suffered automatic promotion.
Dick Lukkien’s team took on NAC Breda in the semi-finals of the 2022–23 Eredivisie playoffs. They won quite comfortably in the end. FC Emmen won the first leg 2-1 and the second leg 2-0.
The way FC Emmen brushed aide NAC Breda in the semi-finals of the playoffs will encourage them for the two-legged final. Almere City have had to get here the hard way, and it will be interesting to see how FC Emmen approach the first leg away from home.
Team News:
Jasin-Amin Assehnoun could start for FC Emmen against Almere City this week. Jeff Hardeveld, Mart Lieder and Maikel Kieftenbeld are on the sidelines at the moment due to knee injuries. Rui-Jorge Mendes has a muscle problem. Metehan Guclu has not played since November and will feature on Tuesday evening.
Key Factors to Consider
- Almere City have scored 5 goals in 4 2022–23 Eredivisie playoff matches.
- Almere City scored 58 goals in 38 ‘regular’ 2022–23 Eerste Divisie games.
- FC Emmen scored 33 goals in 34 ‘regular’ 2022–23 Eredivisie matches.
- FC Emmen conceded 65 goals in 34 ‘regular’ 2022–23 Eredivisie matches.
- Almere City conceded 41 goals in 38 ‘regular’ 2022–23 Eerste Divisie matches.
Conclusion
Almere City will know that they have to get a win in the first leg of the playoff final to win promotion to the Eredivisie for next season. Even a draw could prove costly in the end. It is very likely that FC Emmen will spoil it for Almere City and eke out a draw.
Prediction: Match to end in 1-1 draw
Best Odds: 6.05
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