Prediction: Twente vs Sparta Rotterdam

Verdict: Twente win & Both teams to score

Best Odds: 21/10

Bookmaker: Luckster

With a lucrative Europa Conference League ticket up for grabs on Sunday afternoon, Twente will welcome Sparta Rotterdam to the De Grolsch Veste.

Twente

Starting with the hosts, managing to snatch a stunning last-gasp equaliser away in Rotterdam earlier in the week, Twente should be confident of finishing off their Conference League charge here. Making a real semi-final statement earlier in the month as they clinched a stunning 6-1 aggregate romp against Heerenveen, Ron Jans’ side have impressed many across Holland over the past couple of months. Signing off the 2022/23 Eredivisie campaign with a famous 3-1 victory against Ajax on May 28th, Twente have now lost just one of their previous 14 appearances across all competitions. Certainly gaining a reputation for their free-scoring displays in the final third, Jans’ men have also continued to shine at the De Grolsch Veste. Including a second-leg 4-0 romp against Heerenveen last week, Sunday’s hosts have not suffered a single defeat in front of their own supporters since the start of February.

Team News

Dealing with a long-term ankle injury and not making a single appearance since the start of April, 20-year-old Max Bruns will once again miss out here. Likewise, missing out in midweek after picking up a recent knock, Twente are sweating over the fitness of Anass Salah-Eddine.

Although Costa Rica international Manfred Ugalde might have drawn back-to-back blanks over the past week, the 21-year-old should once again spearhead Jans’ charge on Sunday afternoon.

Sparta Rotterdam

As for the visitors, suffering last-gasp heartbreak on home soil in midweek, Sparta Rotterdam know that they face a real uphill battle here. Nevertheless, clinching what was a thrilling penalties victory against Utrecht earlier in the month, Maurice Steijn’s side have certainly bounced back from their May wobble. Signing off their Eredivisie adventure with a rampant 5-0 win away at Groningen on May 28th, the former Al Wahda boss finds his side in the midst of a five-match unbeaten run against top-flight opposition. However, tipped as a real underdog pick when they travel to the De Grolsch Veste on Sunday afternoon, De Kasteelheren hold what is a nightmare record in Enschede. Including a routine 2-0 loss when they travelled to Twente last season, Steijn’s side have recorded just a single win away at their European rivals since way back in January 2008.

Team News

With the duo of Tobias Lauritsen and Mike Eerdhuijzen overcoming late fitness tests on Thursday, Sparta Rotterdam will travel to the De Grolsch Veste with a clean bill of health.

Converting from the spot in midweek and now notching three strikes in his last four appearances against Eredivisie opposition, the red-hot Vito van Crooij will spearhead Steijn’s attack on Sunday afternoon.

Key Factors to Consider

• Each of the last three competitive showdowns between Sunday’s opponents have finished with both teams finding the net.
• Snatching that last-gasp equaliser in midweek, Twente have now lost just one of their previous 14 appearances across all competitions.
• Likewise, Sunday’s hosts are unbeaten in each of their last eight contests at the De Grolsch Veste – a run that stems back to February 9th.
• Sparta Rotterdam have scored 11 goals in just their last four appearances on the road.
• However, Sunday’s guests have recorded just a single victory at the De Grolsch Veste since way back in 2008.

Conclusion

Snatching that stunning last-gasp equaliser in midweek, there is no doubt that Twente will feel that they are sat in pole position to punch their Europa Conference League ticket. Enjoying what has been a real romp over the past couple of months, Sunday’s hosts have also gained a reputation for their continued success on home soil. Not suffering a single defeat in front of their own supporters since the start of February, Twente should be confident of finishing off the job here. Although Sparta Rotterdam might have found a recent clinical edge in the final third, they do hold a worrying record at the De Grolsch Veste. Mustering just a single win away at Sunday’s hosts since way back in 2018, we are expecting what could be a lively home victory here.

Verdict: Twente win & Both teams to score

Best Odds: 21/10

Bookmaker: Luckster