VVV Venlo (home)
- VVV Venlo are unbeaten in their last two home matches (Won 1, Drawn 1).
- VVV Venlo host Almere City in a fascinating matchup between two teams with contrasting styles and two managers that make full use of the full width of the pitch.
- Peter Uneken took over at VVV in October 2025 and his side have played a more energetic, transition-based style of football ever since.
- However, there is a danger that VVV rely on Dean Zandbergen to finish off their attacks for them, especially in the tight games.
- Zandbergen has netted an impressive 13 goals in 33 Eerste Divisie appearances this season and seven of VVV’s last eight goals have come from his trusty boot.
- VVV are not prolific scorers at home, averaging 1.28 goals per game from 18 matches this season (Won 7, Drawn 2, Lost 9).
Almere City (away)
- Almere City have one win and one loss in their last two away matches (Won 1, Lost 1).
- Almere City are a much more dynamic side, even if their attacking output isn’t always as prolific as it could be.
- Jeroen Rijsdijk’s side play an energetic and pressing brand of soccer, whether in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation, where they overload the wings and press as a unit.
- Julian Rijkhoff is the chief scorer for the Schappenkooi, with 16 goals in 36 league appearances this term and he will be a constant threat to VVV’s defence on Friday.
- Almere are in great form coming into this game, having won three of their last five and they scored four times in their 4-1 hammering of FC Dordrecht in their most recent game.
- Their away record of 8 wins, 1 draw and 9 defeats this term proves that they are capable of going to an opponent’s home and getting the win.
Head-to-Head
The head-to-head record in the Eerste Divisie stands at Won 2, Drawn 1 in favour of Almere City .
Key Players
- Zandbergen has netted an impressive 13 goals in 33 Eerste Divisie appearances this season and seven of VVV’s last eight goals have come from his trusty boot.
- Julian Rijkhoff is the chief scorer for the Schappenkooi, with 16 goals in 36 league appearances this term and he will be a constant threat to VVV’s defence on Friday.
Betting Insights
Almere to win and Both Teams to Score is the bet we like for this game, although we will take the odds for the visitors to come out on top at 2.41 with the Over 2.5 goals and Both Teams to Score - Yes also likely at 1.36 and 1.35 respectively.
Prediction
- VVV are 14th in the table, nine places and 16 points below their opponents, against whom they have failed to win in their last three head-to-head meetings.
- Rijsdijk’s Almere will press hard and look to keep the ball in VVV’s half, but we like the home side’s energy and counter-attacking style to punish the away team in transition.
