Match overview and context
De Graafschap return to Stadion De Vijverberg on 12 December buoyed by a rich vein of form that has them perched third in the Eerste Divisie table. Across 19 matches the Superboeren have accumulated 34 points, producing 37 goals and conceding 28, and their recent sequence reads like a team on the rise: a run that features seven wins, a draw and two defeats in the ten-game snapshot. The visitors, Roda JC Kerkrade, arrive in Doetinchem as a mid-table outfit sitting seventh with 28 points, 30 goals scored and 27 conceded. Their form has been more stop-start, with flashes of resilience — reflected in seven draws this season and six clean sheets — yet consistency has been elusive.
Key trends that will shape the game
Statistically this shapes up as a clash between De Graafschap’s attacking profile and Roda’s ability to shut games down. De Graafschap average over 19 shots per game and carry a greater threat inside the box, while Roda manage fewer attempts but have posted six clean sheets, underlining an organisation that can be hard to break down on its day. Both teams have been involved in matches that cross the 2.5-goal line regularly — De Graafschap at roughly 63% and Roda close to 58% — so the fixture has a strong chance of producing multiple goalmouth moments. The early-season head-to-head also gives this fixture spice: Roda edged De Graafschap 1-0 in August, a reminder they are capable of spoiling the home side’s rhythm.
Recent matches and momentum
De Graafschap’s last three results before this meeting included wins away at Jong FC Utrecht and Vitesse and a solid 2-0 home success over FC Eindhoven; Bouke Boersma earned plaudits as the best performer in the most recent victory. Roda’s form has been patchwork — a narrow 2-3 home loss to Jong AZ followed by draws with MVV and FC Emmen and an earlier heavy defeat at ADO Den Haag — yet Jack Cooper-Love stood out in the last outing despite the loss. Home advantage at the 12,600-capacity De Vijverberg will matter: De Graafschap are adept at creating dangerous attacks and force opponents to chase.
Prediction and tactical expectation
Expect an energetic De Graafschap side pressing to control possession and probe early, while Roda JC will likely adopt a compact shape, inviting pressure and looking to hit on the counter. The contest should see De Graafschap impose their tempo without guaranteeing a runaway scoreline — Roda’s defensive discipline means goals could arrive in patches rather than in a constant flood.
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Betting suggestion
Based on the form, home/away statistics and the bookmaker pricing that places De Graafschap as the slight favourites (1.95), the best single-market recommendation here is a 1X2 stake on De Graafschap to win. The home side’s superior attacking numbers, recent winning rhythm and the implied 51% probability in the odds give them the edge, though this is a match where prudence is advised given Roda’s capability to frustrate and the season’s history of shared goals.