Groningen – Sparta Rotterdam

Recent form · Written before the match

After ten matchdays, Groningen has 15 points, with 4 wins, 3 draws and 3 losses, 24 goals scored and 21 conceded. Sparta has 9 points, with 2 wins, 3 draws and 5 losses, 17 goals scored and 24 conceded.

The last five matches, the opponents, the venues, the rest period and the quality of the chances are not sufficiently verifiable. No usable xG, shot volume or pressing indicator has been established with a specific period and provider.

Head-to-head · Written before the match

The last two Eredivisie matches mentioned ended with Groningen 0-2 Sparta on 19 October 2025, followed by Sparta 2-0 Groningen on 31 January 2026. A cup match is also mentioned: Sparta 5-2 Groningen on 30 October 2025.

These recent precedents favor Sparta, but their prédictive valeur remains low without confirmation of the continuity of the coaches, squads, goalkeepers and tactical plans.

Absences and returns

A publication dated October 29, 2026 probably lists Groningen's Malcolm Jeng, Rijk Janse, Ryan Metu and Tyrique Mercera as absent. Elvis van der Laan is said to have returned, without being expected to start, but the same page still includes him on its list of injured players.

For Sparta, Max de Ligt and Shunsuke Mito are listed as probably absent. None of these statuses is confirmed by a club, federation or press conference.

Official suspensions have not been established.

Context & news

The scenario favorable to Groningen is based on home advantage, the higher ranking and a proactive approach with pressing after losing possession and high full-backs, according to an editorial analysis. The opposite scenario sees Sparta defending in a compact block and exploiting transitions and set pieces in the spaces left by Groningen.

These tactical elements are not confirmed by event data or a press conference.

Lineups and squad

Groningen is genuinely hosting Sparta Rotterdam at the Euroborg on Sunday, 1 November 2026 at 16:45 Dutch time, i.e. 15:45 UTC. The goalkeeper and starting lineup are not confirmed.

Vaessen is proposed for Groningen, Brouwer for Sparta, while another prediction proposes Bednarek for Sparta: these lineups remain hypothetical.