FC Den Bosch host Eerste Divisie rivals Go Ahead Eagles on Wednesday night with a place in the third round of the promotion playoffs up for grabs.
The two sides finished level at two goals apiece in their first leg on Sunday. Twice Den Bosch took the lead only to be pegged back by Go Ahead Eagles. The winner of the tie will either player RKC Waalwijk or Excelsior in the next round.
Den Bosch and Go Ahead Eagles qualified for the playoffs with 63 points apiece. Just like in their first leg, there was nothing to separate them during the regular season in the table.
Go Ahead Eagles have failed to defeat Den Bosch in three matches this season. Den Bosch kept clean sheets in both matches against Go Ahead Eagles in the Eerste Divisie. Their first game ended nil-nil while the second saw Den Bosch beat their rivals 2-0 at home.
Den Bosch have not been defeated by Go Ahead Eagles since 2015. On that occasion, Go Ahead Eagles ran out 4-2 winners. Just two times in their nine matches have Go Ahead Eagles gained a victory over Den Bosch.
Wednesday night’s fixture will feature two sides that can find the back of the net. Den Bosch scored 64 goals while Go Ahead Eagles tallied 63 during the season. The big difference between the Dutch second division clubs is their defences.
Den Bosch conceded just 49 times posting a +15-goal difference over 38 league games. Go Ahead Eagles’ biggest issue during the season was keeping goals out. They allowed 57 goals and twice on Sunday, let Den Bosch get their noses in front before reeling them back in.
Striker Stefano Beltrame has tallied 14 goals for Den Bosch this term. The 26-year-old striker is on-loan from Italy’s Juventus. The Italian’s creativity is also important to the side. He has supplied nine assists this season.
Beltrame is in his second loan spell at Den Bosch and remarkably played for Go Ahead Eagles last season. Beltrame is having his best season in terms of scoring since turning professional in 2012.
Den Bosch go into the second leg as leading sportsbooks’ favourite. They are a better side than Go Ahead Eagles and should come away with a win in the second leg.
Beltrame could be the difference for Den Bosch against his former club. Den Bosch will run their record against Go Ahead Eagles to four games without defeat this season.
Like their previous meeting a Den Bosch’s de Vliert ground, the fixture will end in a clean sheet win for the home side. Expect fewer than 2.5 goals in a tight affair.