Sparta Rotterdam — Twente : Match Preview and Prediction for September 19,2025

Sparta Rotterdam: Current Form and Season Overview

Sparta Rotterdam approaches this fixture in high spirits, having secured a dramatic derby victory against Excelsior last week with a decisive goal in injury time. This crucial win propelled Sparta to 9 points after the first five rounds, elevating them to 8th place in the league standings. Prior to this, they also achieved wins against Go Ahead Eagles and an unexpected home triumph over Utrecht. However, the “Kasteelheren” have also experienced significant setbacks, suffering heavy defeats against the ‘s top clubs: Maurice Steijn’s side conceded four unanswered goals in the derby against Feyenoord and were comprehensively beaten 6-1 by PSV in Eindhoven, despite managing to score a consolation goal.

Player Spotlight: Patrick van Anholt

Within the Sparta squad, particular attention should be paid to 35-year-old full-back Patrick van Anholt. He has already contributed three assists in just five league appearances, demonstrating his active involvement in attacking plays. While his forward forays are valuable, they occasionally leave exposed areas in his own half, which more skilled opponents have exploited effectively.

Team News: Player Absences

For the upcoming match against Twente, Sparta Rotterdam’s head coach, Maurice Steijn, will have a nearly full squad at his disposal, with Japanese midfielder Shunsuke Mito being the sole confirmed absentee.

Twente: Season Start and Managerial Change

In stark contrast to their opponents, Twente’s start to the season has been far from satisfactory. The “Tukkers” have managed to accumulate only four points from their opening five fixtures, a performance considered unacceptable for an ambitious club like Enschede. Their campaign began with two consecutive defeats, first against Zwolle and then at home to PSV. The third round offered a glimmer of hope as Twente secured their first win of the season against a struggling Heerenveen. However, this relief was short-lived, as they suffered a particularly frustrating 1-0 away loss to Excelsior. Remarkably, Twente played with a numerical advantage from early in the first half after Excelsior’s central defender Stanislas Hendrix received a red card, yet they conceded the decisive goal in the closing moments of the match. This sequence of results exhausted the patience of the Twente management, leading to head coach Joseph Oosting’s dismissal. This week, the visiting side announced the appointment of John van den Brom as their new head coach, and he has been tasked with preparing the team for this encounter against Sparta Rotterdam.