De Graafschap vs Sparta Rotterdam - Home team set to do the double

By Tolu Shotade

17 Oct 2019

Tolu Shotade 17 Oct 2019

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De Graafschap tipped to build on first leg display in playoff tie

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De Graafschap set to build on first leg perfomance against Sparta Rotterdam in relegation/promotion playoff tie (Getty Images)

De Graafschap vs Sparta Rotterdam Preview, Predictions & Betting Tips

De Graafschap are tipped to win when they host Sparta Rotterdam in the second leg of their Dutch relegation/promotion playoff third round tie. The hosts won the first leg and are expected to maintain their strangle hold on the tie with another win at odds of 2.40.

BV De Graafschap Form & Team News

De Graafschap claimed a 2-1 victory in the first leg of this tie last Saturday. They fell behind as early as the eighth minute but struck back in the second half through Nabil Bahoui before Youssef El Jebli grabbed the winner from the penalty spot in the third minute of added time.

Henk de Jong's men head into Tuesday's clash off the back of two straight wins. They are priced at odds of 2.40 to claim the victory and given the value in that tip, I am backing this outcome.

Eric Benschop has scored two goals in as many matches and is expected to continue to lead the line for De Graafschap. Bahoui and Jebli should also retain their places in the team after getting on the score sheet in the first leg.

Sparta Rotterdam FC Form & Team News

Sparta Rotterdam were beaten 2-1 at home in Saturday's first leg. They took an early lead through Adil Auassar but failed to hold on and conceded a dramatic late winner in the 93rd minute.

Henk Fraser's men have been plagued by inconsistency in recent weeks having claimed just two wins in their last six matches. They have also lost two of their last three away matches, placing them at odds of 2.80 to claim the win on Tuesday with a draw valued at 3.40.

Sparta will be without central defender Bart Vriends, who was shown a red card in the first leg. Top scorer Lars Veldwijk should once again lead the line for the visitors despite failing to find the net in his last three matches.

De Graafschap vs Sparta Rotterdam Head to Head

Sparta Rotterdam have a 12-10 advantage with seven draws from 29 previous matches against De Graafschap. De Jong's men have however won three of the last four meetings, including the 2-1 victory in the first leg.

De Graafschap vs Sparta Rotterdam Match Up

Benschop will be the man tasked with providing the spark for De Graafschap on Tuesday. The striker is usually a handful for defenders with his movement in attack and with Jebli and Bahoui also impressing lately, the hosts should have too much for their rivals.

Sparta Rotterdam are likely to struggle at the back, especially without the suspended Vriends. With Veldwijk also finding things difficult at the other end of the pitch, the hosts are not expected to put up much of a fight on Tuesday.

De Graafschap vs Sparta Rotterdam Key Statistics

De Graafschap have won 3 of their last 4 matches against Sparta Rotterdam (all competitions).
De Graafschap have won their last 2 matches (all competitions).
Sparta Rotterdam have lost 2 of their last 3 away matches (all competitions).

Verdict

De Graafschap have won their last two matches and will take lots of confidence from the first leg victory. With Sparta Rotterdam often struggling on their travels, I am predicting a win for the hosts at odds of 2.40.

Best Bet: De Graafschap Win @ 2.40 at bet365 – 3 Units

Correct Score Tip: De Graafschap Win 2-1 @ 9.50 at bet365 – 1 Unit