Both Vitesse and Almere City have started the Eerste Divisie season with four points from two games, each finding the net in every outing. The GelreDome meeting will be shaped by heavy squad rotation — six regulars missing for the hosts, seven for the visitors — which makes form…
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Sign inVitesse welcome Almere City FC to the GelreDome in Arnhem on Friday evening for an early-season Eerste Divisie clash that already carries repercussions in the table. The hosts are still searching for a first win after a 1-1 draw at home to RKC Waalwijk, while Almere sit third with four points from two unbeaten outings. Kick-off is set for 18:00 UTC on 21 August 2026.
Vitesse will be without goalkeeper Van den Berg, who received a straight red card in the 1-1 draw against RKC Waalwijk. The shot-stopper elbowed an opponent while collecting the ball, a needless act that also conceded a penalty from which RKC equalised. His absence forces head coach to turn to the backup option between the posts. There are no other reported injuries, meaning Naoufal Bannis, who scored in that match, and 21-year-old playmaker Mathijs Marschalk should both start.
Almere City FC are expected to field a near-identical line-up to the one that lined up in a 4-2-3-1 shape recently. In their last outing, Wessel Speel started in goal behind a back four of Jereno van Gom, Joey Jacobs, Damian van Bruggen and Teun Bijleveld. Hamza el Dahri and Mees Hoedemakers anchored midfield, with Bas Huisman leading the line. That familiarity could prove valuable away from home.
Despite the dropped points, Vitesse showed encouraging signs against RKC. Omar Achouitar’s surging run from centre-back created the opening goal for Bannis, and Marschalk was a constant menace, dropping deep and driving the team forward. The red card changed everything; down to ten men, Vitesse held firm to secure a point but will feel they left two on the table. The GelreDome crowd will demand a more clinical display.
Almere’s early-season momentum is built on solidity and moments of attacking quality. Four points from two matches suggest a side that knows its system. The front four of Byron Burgering, Marley Dors, Emanuel Poku and centre-forward Bas Huisman offer variety, while the defensive record — just two goals conceded so far — gives them a platform to frustrate opponents. They travel to Arnhem aiming to extend an unbeaten start.
Marschalk’s ability to drift into pockets and link play could be Vitesse’s main creative weapon. However, Almere’s central pairing of Hamza el Dahri and Mees Hoedemakers will look to deny him space. If Marschalk is nullified, Vitesse may struggle to feed Bannis, making this individual duel the likely axis on which the contest turns.
Both sides are still defining their season. Vitesse need a first win to climb away from the lower reaches, while Almere know a victory could send them top of the early standings. With the autumn schedule just beginning, the outcome may set the tone for the weeks ahead.
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