After a frustrating weekend of defeats, Feyenoord will welcome Frendan to the Kuipi Stadium on Thursday. Sunday's loss to PSV Eindhoven here left Arne Sloter's side 10 points adrift against the record league leaders and it now appears that their title defense wars stand in serious doubt.
Only the third domestic home defeat of the season has put Feyenoord's title challenge in jeopardy, even though it has just entered December. The Rotterdam club were dealt a heavy blow by last week's defeat against Atletico Madrid, which knocked them out of the Champions League. For a team that has become accustomed to winning often, four defeats in seven games is certainly a huge blow for Feyenoord. This is especially true at home, where the Stadio Kuipi is usually seen as an impregnable fortress, but after seven consecutive wins here, Feyenoord have now lost two consecutive home matches.
However, thanks to the Dutch club's improving performances in Europe, second place in the Eredivisie now gives them direct access to the group stage of the UEFA Europa League, so even though the title is slipping away fast, Slotter's side still have plenty of targets to aim for. Feyenoord's form is by no means bleak either, averaging three goals per game and 32 points from 14 games, while PSV's stellar form has left everyone in the dust.
Considering that Frendan have lost on every visit here since 1989, they are unlikely to be much of a threat to the hosts and expect this game to be a three-point affair for the hosts. Frendan have conceded five goals in four of their last seven visits but they were unlucky to return to the top flight last season, losing 2-1 thanks to a last-minute goal from Damon Milani after taking the lead.
This season, however, they look to be in a much more difficult position, especially with Matthias Koller's job on the line after a 0-5 home sweep by Zwolle at the weekend. Volendam are tied with Witser in the bottom two, five points from safety, and their defensive record is the worst in the league. They have now lost four games in a row, including a cup defeat to amateur side Exelcio Maslus.
Away performances have been a big factor in their struggles, as they have failed to win away from home since their first game in 2023, which came on January 8 against Cambuur, who were eventually relegated. In 18 away games since then, Frendan haven't won a single one, losing 15, which makes this game look like an almost impossible task.
Frendan have already suffered some heavy defeats this season, having conceded 36 goals - the worst in the league - and having lost 15 of their last 18 away games, they are unlikely to improve on that record here.
SCORE PREDICTION: Feyenoord 5-0 Frendan, a huge difference between the two teams and a possible home sweep of Frendan.
