KNVB Beker | Second Round

Dec 17, 2024 at 8pm UK

De Geusselt

MVVvs.Feyenoord

Match preview

Having gone all the way in the Dutch Cup last season, beating NEC in the grand final, Feyenoord kicked off their season with a Johan Cruyff Shield tie against Eredivisie champions PSV Eindhoven, which they won 5-4 on penalties.

Brian Priske's side then made a slow start to the campaign, winning just one of their opening four league games, and despite a recent resurgence, they sit fourth in the standings, seven points adrift of leaders PSV ahead of Sunday's heavyweight clash.

The Rotterdam outfit have scored the second-most goals in the Eredivisie so far this term (40) and will be confident of producing another attacking masterclass after their 5-2 thrashing of Heracles last time out.

Santiago Gimenez scored a hat-trick in that game, taking his tally to six goals in five games since returning from a two-month injury lay-off.

Gimenez's return to action could be the catalyst for Feyenoord's second-half surge, but in the meantime De Stadionclub will be looking to start their KNVB Beker defence on a high and make it four wins in a row.

Tuesday's clash will be the first since 2000, although it is worth noting that the visitors have only lost two of the previous 18 meetings, underlining their historical superiority in this fixture.

Having missed out on the promotion play-offs last season on goal difference alone, Maastricht were expected to pick up where they left off, but it is fair to say that things have not gone as planned.

After winning just one of their opening nine games, Edwin Hermans' men have failed to find their stride in the middle of the campaign and currently sit 14th in the Eerste Divisie, a whopping 10 points adrift of the play-off places.

In their up-and-down campaign so far, De Sterrendragers came out on top against Den Bosch in the round of 64 on 30 November, thanks to goals from Ozgur Aktas and Ferre Slegers.

Maastricht's 2-0 defeat to ADO Den Haag at the Bingoal Stadium on Friday means they have now won just three of their last 10 games in all competitions.

While Tuesday's hosts have done well in front of goal in that time, scoring 16 times, their defensive record has been shambolic to say the least, with 18 goals conceded and just one clean sheet.

Recent Performance

MVV Maastricht KNVB Beker form:W

MVV Maastricht form (all competitions):DDWWDL

Feyenoord form (all competitions):WDDWWW

Team News

Igor Paixao was forced off with an injury in the early stages of Feyenoord's win over Heracles, and the Brazil international is not expected to feature again.

Anis Hadj Moussa grabbed an assist within 25 minutes of coming on for Paixao in the aforementioned game, meaning he has now contributed directly to a goal in seven of his last eight matches.

For the away side, Julian Carranza and Ayase Ueda will be sidelined with muscular injuries, while Quilindschy Hartman and Jordan Lotomba will miss out with knee and leg injuries respectively.

Maastricht's Tim Zeegers returned to action after a one-match suspension, but only lasted 20 minutes before being forced off with an injury, leaving his availability for this game in doubt.

If Zeegers is ruled out, 20-year-old Andrea Librici is expected to make his 10th start of the season at right-back.

Possible starting lineup

MVV Maastricht possible starting lineup:

Matthys; Schenk, Coomans, Aktas, Zeegers; El Basri, Smeets, Kleinen; Buifrahi, Mmaee, Timas

Feyenoord possible starting lineup:

Bijlow; Gonzalez, Beelen, Nieuwkoop, Read; Zechiel, Zerrouki, In-beom; Hadj Moussa, Osman, Ivanusec