Twente Vs Waalwijk

Sunday afternoon's Eredivisie action is set to commence at De Grolsch Veste, where FC Twente will look to return to winning ways as they prepare to host RKC Waalwijk. The home side currently sits on 36 points, having slipped to sixth place in the league table. Meanwhile, the visitors find themselves in a precarious position, occupying the first spot below the relegation line with just 17 points accumulated from 22 games.

Twente enters this fixture on the back of a thrilling European night, securing a dramatic 2-1 victory over Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League playoff round. The match was decided in stoppage time when veteran striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel netted a late winner, sending the Tukkers into a strong position for the return leg. That triumph marked their third successive win in all competitions and extended their unbeaten European run to four matches. However, their domestic form has taken a hit recently, and they will now aim to translate their European performances into league success.

Their most recent Eredivisie outing saw them endure a frustrating 3-3 draw away to Heerenveen, a game in which they surrendered a two-goal advantage. That result extended their winless run in the league to three matches, highlighting their struggles to maintain control and see out games. Defensive frailties have been a recurring issue for Joseph Oosting’s squad, as the Heerenveen match marked the fourth consecutive game where they conceded two or more goals. Notably, the last time Twente managed to keep a clean sheet was back in mid-December against Groningen, a worrying statistic that needs addressing if they hope to regain their momentum in the league.

Despite these defensive concerns, Twente’s home form has been a bright spot this season. They remain unbeaten at De Grolsch Veste after nine matches (six wins and three draws), boasting the third-best home record in the Eredivisie, behind only PSV Eindhoven and Ajax. The home crowd has played a crucial role in their resilience at this venue, consistently providing the team with unwavering support. Oosting will undoubtedly be hoping that this strong home record continues against an RKC side that has found renewed confidence since the turn of the year.

RKC Waalwijk endured a torrid first half of the season, finishing 2024 at the bottom of the Eredivisie standings and widely tipped for relegation. A winless streak of six matches (three draws and three losses) left them languishing in last place as they entered the winter break. However, the arrival of the new year seems to have reinvigorated Henk Fraser’s side, who have displayed an incredible turnaround in recent weeks.

The Yellow and Blues have taken 10 points from their last four league games, a stark contrast to their dismal early-season form. To put that into perspective, they collected just seven points from their first 13 matches. This resurgence has given them a genuine chance of survival, and their recent results suggest that they are far from a team resigned to relegation. Their most emphatic performance of the season came in their previous fixture when they demolished NAC Breda 5-0, a statement victory that served as a major confidence booster. That dominant display marked their biggest winning margin since their 5-0 triumph over Heracles in May of the previous campaign.

This impressive win followed a hard-fought draw against Sparta Rotterdam and successive victories over Willem II and Almere City. These results have propelled them into one of the best-performing teams in the Eredivisie over the last four matchdays. In fact, only Ajax (12 points) have outperformed RKC in this period, a statistic that underscores the magnitude of their improvement.

Away from home, RKC has also shown signs of resilience. They have avoided defeat in their last two matches on the road, an encouraging sign as they head into this challenging clash against Twente. Should they manage to claim another three points here, they could potentially climb out of the automatic relegation zone and move into the playoff spot, which would be a significant psychological boost ahead of their upcoming home fixture against Fortuna Sittard.

The clash between these two sides presents an intriguing contest, as Twente will be desperate to get back on track domestically, while RKC will be looking to continue their remarkable resurgence. On paper, Twente’s home form makes them favorites, but their defensive vulnerabilities could give RKC a fighting chance. Meanwhile, the visitors will be eager to capitalize on any opportunities, especially given their newfound attacking prowess, which was on full display against NAC Breda.

For Twente, key players will need to step up. Ricky van Wolfswinkel remains a pivotal figure in attack, providing both experience and a clinical edge in front of goal. The veteran striker’s ability to produce big moments, as seen in the Europa League, will be crucial if Twente is to break down RKC’s defensive setup. Additionally, Michel Vlap will play an important role in midfield, dictating the tempo and linking up play in the final third. Twente will also look to their home crowd for inspiration, knowing that their fans have been instrumental in their strong home performances this season.

RKC, on the other hand, will rely heavily on the leadership of Henk Fraser to guide them through this tough encounter. Oskar Zawada has been a key attacking outlet for them, and his goal-scoring form will be vital if they are to cause an upset. Their defensive discipline will also be put to the test, as they must find a way to neutralize Twente’s attacking threats while remaining efficient on the counterattack.

A fascinating battle awaits, with both teams having plenty to fight for. Twente will seek to avoid further setbacks and reclaim their push for European qualification, while RKC will look to continue their dramatic escape from the relegation zone. The outcome of this match could have significant implications for both ends of the Eredivisie table, making it a must-watch encounter. Regardless of the final score, the passion, intensity, and stakes involved ensure that this Sunday afternoon fixture will be anything but ordinary.