Match context: momentum meets opportunity at Stadion De Vijverberg
De Graafschap welcome RKC Waalwijk to Doetinchem on 23 January in a clash that pits third against ninth in the Eerste Divisie and promises a lively, goal-minded encounter. De Graafschap sit comfortably in the top three with 37 points from 22 games and have rediscovered a cutting edge in front of goal across recent fixtures, producing wins at Vitesse and elsewhere before a narrow defeat at Almere City in their most recent outing. RKC arrive with mixed form: flashes of firepower — a 9-0 cup rout and a fine away win at Jong Ajax — but also inconsistent league results that have left them mid-table and hunting momentum.
Why the scoreboard looks likely to move
Numbers back the expectation of goals. Across the season both sides average a healthy goals-per-game rate: De Graafschap have netted 42 times while RKC have found the net 34 times in 22 matches. Over 2.5 goals has landed more often than not for both teams — De Graafschap have seen over 2.5 in roughly 64% of their matches and RKC in about 59% — signaling that encounters involving these clubs tend to be open and productive. The head-to-head earlier in the season (a 4-1 success for De Graafschap away on 9 November) is further proof that this fixture can tilt toward high scores when both teams commit forward.
De Graafschap’s attacking profile shows volume — nearly 19 shots per game and an aggressive profile inside the box — but they’ve kept just one clean sheet at home this campaign, suggesting defensive vulnerabilities that RKC could exploit. Conversely, RKC’s four clean sheets demonstrate they can shut down threats occasionally, yet their away goal return and past big-score results underline their capacity to contribute to an open game.
Form, recent matches and small edges
Form-line contrast is clear: De Graafschap’s recent sequence reads as a string of wins and competitive displays while RKC’s ten-match sequence is patchy with fewer victories. Both teams produced notable performers in their latest matches — Ties Wieggers earned plaudits for De Graafschap in defeat and Jesper Uneken stood out for RKC in their draw — but neither side has been dominant enough defensively to make a low-scoring prospect the natural assumption.
Betting is about spotting value and patterns. Given the attacking numbers, past H2H, and both sides’ tendency to be involved in games with multiple goals, the goal market offers the clearest edge here. For background on timing goal bets, read this guide on the right time to place bets on goal markets, and if you’d like to keep discipline around your staking, consider tips on how to have emotional control when placing bets.
Betting suggestion: Back Over 2.5 goals. The combination of De Graafschap’s attacking volume, RKC’s ability to score and the fixture’s recent 4-1 meeting point to a match where three or more goals is a realistic and value-driven outcome. Bet responsibly and size the stake to your bankroll.
