Cambuur and Vitesse face each other on Wednesday evening for a spot in the semi-finals of the KNVB Beker.
With Cambuur playing in the second division and Vitesse at the bottom of the Eredivisie, both teams see this as a chance to make an unexpected run to the final.
Match preview
Currently in eighth place in the Eerste Divisie, Cambuur’s main goal is to climb the table and secure a promotion back to the top division.
Their recent performance hasn’t been great, with only one victory in their last five league matches.
Yet, a 1-1 tie with league leaders Willem II in their latest game has given Henk de Jong and his squad a morale boost heading into this match.
Cambuur has reached this round without facing a first-division team, scoring 11 goals across three matches.
In the last round, they staged an impressive comeback to beat USV Heracles, turning a deficit around in the final 11 minutes to win 4-3 after extra time.
For Vitesse, this cup provides a break from a tough season in the Eredivisie, where they’ve only gathered 12 points from 20 games.
Sitting seven points from safety, their best hope might be securing a spot in the relegation playoff, but Edward Sturing will find positives in their recent performances.
They’ve conceded just five goals in their last three matches against Feyenoord, PEC Zwolle, and Go Ahead Eagles, and kept a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw with FC Utrecht before that.
Their journey in this competition includes a 1-0 win over Heerenveen, sandwiched between victories against Groene Star and AFC by the same margin.
Cambuur KNVB Beker form: W W W
Cambuur form (all competitions): W L W W L D
Vitesse KNVB Beker form: W W W
Vitesse form (all competitions): W D W L L L
Team News
De Jong might stick with the same Cambuur lineup that tied with Willem II recently.
If he opts for a more defensive option on the wing, Tyrique Mercera could step in for Agustin Anello.
Forward Milan Smit, who has scored three times in this cup and 15 in the league, is one to watch.
With Marco van Ginkel leaving the field early against Go Ahead Eagles, Vitesse’s Sturing is likely to bring Kacper Kozlowski back.
New loanee Anis Hadj Moussa could also get a start on the right wing.
Cambuur possible starting lineup:
Van Osch;
Tol, Smand, Bergsma, Poll;
Van Mullem, Breij;
Balk, De Jong, Anello;
Smit
Vitesse possible starting lineup:
Room;
Arcus, Isimat-Mirin, Hendriks, Pinto;
Domgjoni, Cornelisse;
Hadj Moussa, Kozlowski, Boutrah;
Meerdink
Prediction: Cambuur 0-1 Vitesse
Both teams have reasons to believe they can win this match. However, with Vitesse showing recent defensive improvements, we predict a narrow victory for the Eredivisie side.