After losses against league leaders FC Volendam (1-2) and RKC Waalwijk (2-0), FC Zwolle can now focus on the upcoming play-offs. To secure themselves of a place in the second round, FC Zwolle (4th) must stay in the top 5 of the table. With Helmond Sport (6th) five points behind them, they need just one more win to avoid all of the first round play-off action. And my guess would be that FC Zwolle is set on doing that now, this friday that is, because of next week they are visiting Helmond Sport in what could be a crucial match.

Besides that, FC Zwolle has the better side and, very important, the home advantage. FC Emmen on the other hand are still fighting for the 8th place (and the last play-off spot) and already won six away matches, but five of them were against clubs (Cambuur Leeuwarden, AGOVV Apeldoorn, Haarlem, Stormvogels/Telstar and FC Eindhoven) who are at the bottom of the ranking based on home performances only). Their only impressive away win this season was a stunning 0-3 win over Helmond Sport, in december of 2007.

FC Zwolle has been beaten twice in a row, but I believe third time is a charm for them. They want to secure that place in the second round of the play-offs, which gives them also a few extra days of rest before the play-offs begin. They are gonna go for it!

After their 0-1 victory at ADO Den Haag last week, RKC Waalwijk is still aiming for the title. With three games to go, FC Volendam and RKC Waalwijk both have 68 points, but FC Volendam has a slightly better goal difference (+2). Despite the fact RKC is playing FC Zwolle (4th in league) this friday, the remaining fictures for FC Volendam seem a lot harder.

At the same time RKC Waalwijk beat ADO Den Haag last friday, FC Zwolle (before that round just two points behind the two league leaders) lost at home from FC Volendam (1-2) in a really fine match. With that dramatic loss their final remaining title hopes went down the drain. I think FC Volendam's win gave FC Zwolle a mental blow and I don't think they can straighten their backs once again and surprise RKC Waalwijk, who are still going strong, confident after beating ADO Den Haag last week, knowing that despite the fact they are in 2nd place at this moment, the championship title is maybe not that far away.

FC Zwolle, on the other hand, haven't lost one of their last five away matches, but only won two of them (TOP Oss, 10th) and FC Eindhoven (19th). RKC Waalwijk is hard to beat when playing at their home ground. Recently, only FC Volendam grabbed the points with a shocking 2-3 victory. I'm pretty confident something like that won't happen again on friday, and despite the very nice results for FC Zwolle in away matches, RKC Waalwijk will be the better team and win this one.

Just looking at statistics this should be a win for visitors FC Den Bosch. They are the best performing away team in the league, while HFC Haarlem are only in 19th position (out of 20) in the ranking, based on home games only.

HFC Haarlem lost four of their last five away matches. Three of them ended in 0-1. FC Den Bosch won four of their last five away matches.