Arts has to play against Helmond Sport without Robin Schouten and Chardi Landu. Landu’s season is over due to a knee injury, while Schouten could still play in the play-offs. Lorenzo Burnet is missing due to illness.
Michaël Heylen is back from his suspension, but will not start in the starting line-up. Just like against Telstar, Dennis Vos is preferred in the center of the defense next to Julius Dirksen. A place has been made in midfield for Ben Scholte, who made the bizarre 2-2 as a substitute against Telstar. As a result, Desley Ubbink disappears from the starting line-up. Bradly van Hoeven also returns to the starting line-up. After watching two matches because of the kick he received at Jong AZ, he starts as a left striker. Vicente Besuijen starts on the right and the man who has to ensure ‘war’ in the box is again Piotr Parzyszek.
According to Arts, Helmond Sport is an attacking team with a lot of speed and threat from midfield. “They are always on the move and have an absolute standout in Martijn Kaars. He is a player who is important with goals, but also with crosses. His enthusiasm is decisive.” A coaching change also recently took place at Helmond Sport. Bob Peeters was dismissed earlier than planned and will be replaced by Adrie Bogers until the end of the season. “That created new energy, as evidenced by the victories over Jong Ajax and ADO Den Haag. I’m curious how they will handle it against us, but their assignment is very simple. They, just like us, have to win to achieve the to keep the play-offs in our own hands.”
A day before the (yet) most important match of the season, Arts appeals to the fans. “But it’s never their fault. I know that from my own experience. The people here are extremely enthusiastic, but they come to the stadium with a certain expectation. And I told the players that today. We have to ensure that that expectation comes true.”
FC Emmen starts tonight with Oelschlägel, Te Wierik, Dirksen, Vos, Hardeveld, Kieftenbeld, Bernadou, Scholte, Besuijen, Parzyszek and Van Hoeven.
