This Sunday’s top Eredivisie clash takes place at Sparta-Stadion Het Kasteel, where Sparta Rotterdam will face Feyenoord.
Both teams enter gameweek three of the new season unbeaten, with the hosts holding two points and the visitors sitting on four.
Sparta Rotterdam saw a slight drop in form last season, finishing eighth, two places lower than the previous year, and collecting 10 fewer points compared to the 2022-23 campaign.
De Kasteelheren's primary goal this season will likely be to re-enter the competition for European qualification spots, but to achieve that, they will need to improve upon their first two performances this season to have a shot at breaking into the top four.
The Red and White Gladiators began their season with a lackluster goalless draw against Heracles at home, followed by a 1-1 draw against Twente last weekend.
In their most recent match, Jeroen Rijsdijk's team appeared headed for a loss but managed to secure a point thanks to a late goal from Tobias Lauritsen, who scored with virtually the last kick of the game.
Despite the tough challenge they face on Sunday, Sparta Rotterdam can take comfort in their strong home form, having lost just once in their last eight matches in Rotterdam.
On the other hand, Feyenoord, despite losing only two games last season and earning two more points than in their 2022-23 title-winning campaign, couldn’t match PSV's momentum and finished in second place, seven points behind the champions.
Adding to their challenges, Feyenoord had to part ways with Arne Slot at the end of last season, as the Dutch coach moved to the Premier League to succeed Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool's manager.
Under the direction of Brian Priske, De Stadionclub has had a mixed start to the season. They lost to newly promoted Willem II at home, but last week they crushed PEC Zwolle 5-1 away from home.
Feyenoord will understand the value of being within striking distance after the Farmers won their opening two games in a row. This victory will be essential to keeping the momentum going before they take on Ajax in a tough test the following Saturday.
Though the visitors have won the past nine meetings and have been the stronger team in this matchup, they were held to a 2-2 tie at this location last season by their opponent.
Just two players from Sparta Rotterdam are reported to be out from this game: Jonathan de Guzman is out due to a minor injury, while John Kitolano is on personal leave.
After scoring the game-winning goal last week, Lauritsen opened his account for the season and is expected to start at the front again. Arno Verschueren, Mohamed Nassoh, and Camiel Neghli will assist him in midfield.
Quilindschy Hartman, a left back at Feyenoord, underwent surgery in March due to a damaged cruciate ligament, and he is not expected to return to first-team practice until early in the following year.
