Groningen should have room to push around Sparta's back five, while Sparta can attack the space left behind those advances. Both teams have shown they can find another useful chance after the first goal. The match should be shaped by how each defence handles that next entry rather than by possession alone.
Van Bergen's direct service and Willumsson's box movement brought Groningen goals against NEC; Toornstra and Babadi have supplied Zonneveld for Sparta. Groningen's lead over NEC gave way to second balls, and Emmen ran into the space behind its attacks. Sparta's five defenders have also allowed repeated box entries, including after their own equaliser against Ajax. Groningen's expected league core played against NEC, while its defensive absences were already part of that setup; Sparta's main suppliers played recently, and the uncertain Mito return is not needed for this picture.
Groningen can press into Sparta's wide gaps, then Sparta can answer through a cross or a quick release to Zonneveld. The same openings can stay available when the first attack is cleared and one side comes forward again. That's why I'm siding with a high-scoring game.
