Sunday is Derby day in the Eredivisie when the day’s action starts with Vitesse Arnhem travelling to neighbours NEC Nijmegen in the De Gelderse Derby. However, after the conclusion of this fixture, the Friesland Derby will then take place for the first time in 13 years.
- By Leo Walker
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The Derby is a fierce fixture between sc Heerenveen and sc Cambuur, the only two professional clubs from the Northern province of Friesland. Due to SC Cambuur’s residency in the 2nd tier of Dutch Football since suffering relegation from the Eredivisie in the 1999/00 season, the two have not faced each other in 13 years. In total there have been 55 Friesland Derbies with sc Heerenveen recording 24 victories against SC Cambuur’s 14 successes with the remaining 17 fixtures concluding in draws. The fixtures between the two have predominately been in the Eerste Divisie as just six matches have taken place whilst both have been in the top flight of Dutch football. Due to sc Cambuur’s promotion last season as Champions, the two will face off on Sunday.
The two Friesland sides have started the season strongly, sc Heerenveen head into the round in fourth position after recording three victories, three draws and just the one loss from the seven fixtures so far. SC Cambuur have suffered two defeats, but recorded three draws and two victories as they head into the round on 9 points in 10th.
Marco van Basten’s side have been the most active in front of goal with 19 goals scored, 9 from Icelandic superstar Alfred Finnbogason who is currently the league’s top goal scorer. However despite looking strong in front of goal they are prone to conceding at the back with 15 goals being leaked. On average, 4.85 goals are being scored in games that sc Heerenveen compete in so far this season which is the highest of any club in the Eredivisie. The ratio is much different when looking into the results from their rival’s fixtures. SC Cambuur have conceded on just five occasions as they have proven very difficult to break down for their opposition, including league leaders PSV who they held to a 0-0 draw at the Philips Stadion.
In total they have recorded three 0-0 draws from the seven games as, although they have been resilient in defence, they have struggled in front of goal with just six goals so far. In total 11 goals have been scored in games involving SC Cambuur this season at an average goal per game ration of just 1.6 which is the lowest of any club. Surely something has to give in the first Friesland Derby in 13 years.
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