Eredivisie · Matchday 9 
Sparta Rotterdam
Willem IISparta Rotterdam vs Willem II: Pressure Builds on the Eredivisie's Bottom Side
Willem II have two points from eight games and sit bottom of the Eredivisie. A trip to Rotterdam to face a Sparta side only four points ahead offers little relief.
📍 Sparta Stadium Het Kasteel
Match facts
Recent form
Last 5 league games, latest on the right
Goals per game
| Scored | Conceded | |
|---|---|---|
| Sparta Rotterdam | 1.6 | 2.5 |
| Willem II | 0.9 | 2.9 |
League position
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Sparta Rotterdam | 8 | -7 | 6 |
| 18 | Willem II | 8 | -16 | 2 |
Last meetings
- 2025Willem II1-5Sparta Rotterdam
- 2025Willem II3-1Sparta Rotterdam
- 2025Sparta Rotterdam4-0Willem II
- 2024Willem II1-2Sparta Rotterdam
- 2024Willem II2-4Sparta Rotterdam
Absences
Sparta Rotterdam
- OutS. Mito · Injury
- OutM. van Bergen · Inactive
- OutS. Mito · Injury
- OutM. van Bergen · Inactive
Willem II
- OutA. Culum · Foot Injury
- OutT. Didillon Hodl · Hamstring Injury
- OutJ. Hoogma · Knee Injury
- OutA. Lachkar · Groin Injury
- DoubtfulK. Boogaard · Knock
- OutA. Culum · Foot Injury
- OutT. Didillon Hodl · Hamstring Injury
- OutJ. Hoogma · Knee Injury
- OutA. Lachkar · Groin Injury
- DoubtfulK. Boogaard · Knock
Willem II sit bottom of the 18-team Eredivisie with two points from eight matches, and a goal difference of -16 shows how far they have fallen. Sparta Rotterdam are 14th on six points, only four ahead, so this Saturday meeting in Rotterdam carries real weight for both clubs, but the heavier burden falls on the visitors.
Willem II’s slide deepens
Willem II have yet to win a league game this season. Their only points have come from two draws, and they have lost six. Their last five league results read L-L-L-D-L, and they have conceded 13 goals in that spell while scoring just three. The away record is especially grim: one draw and three defeats from four trips, with 13 goals shipped on the road.
Sparta are also struggling, but they have at least found a win. Their only victory came away from home, and they have yet to win at the Het Kasteel this season, managing two draws and two defeats there. Scoring has been their problem, with seven goals in their last five, but conceding 15 in that same stretch is a worry too.
Head-to-head: Sparta have the edge
Sparta have won each of their last three competitive meetings with Willem II. The most recent was a 5-1 cup win at Willem II in December, and before that Sparta beat them 4-0 in the Eredivisie in March 2025. Willem II’s most recent victory over Sparta in these five meetings came in a friendly, 3-1 in July 2025.
Team news
Willem II face a difficult trip with several key absences. Ahmed Culum (foot injury), Tom Didillon Hodl (hamstring), Jeroen Hoogma (knee) and Aaron Lachkar (groin) will all miss the fixture. Kevin Boogaard is a doubt after a knock.
Sparta are missing Mito, who is injured, and Milan van Bergen, who is inactive.
Our prediction
Sparta Rotterdam 2-0 Willem II. Sparta have the better home record of the two and the stronger head-to-head history, while Willem II are missing four players and have conceded 13 goals in four away games. Sparta have struggled to score at home, so a narrow win is the most likely outcome, but the visitors’ defensive problems should be enough to let the hosts take the points.