- FC Den Bosch has won four of the last five meetings between the teams, beating Top Oss 5-2 at home seven months ago.
- Top Oss averages 1.0 goal per game in home games, the same average Den Bosch scores when playing away in the last five encounters.
- FC Den Bosch have won two of their last three away games, including victories over RKC Waalwijk and Almere City FC.
Top Oss and Den Bosch both in good form
Top Oss, who play as FC Oss / Top Oss, head into Friday’s Noordoost-Brabant derby with a great run of results behind them, having won three, drawn one and lost only one of their last five matches in all competitions. Back-to-back home victories over Jong FC Utrecht and Jong Ajax have given them a lift in the home locker room and they will be coming at Den Bosch with real momentum on Friday.
Our FC Oss / Top Oss vs FC Den Bosch prediction is influenced by the current standings: Top Oss are currently 16th in the Eerste Divisie with 38 points from 36 games, while Den Bosch are 9th with 50 points from 35. So the visitors have already had a better season than Oss, but it is worth noting that Bosschies have won four of the past five meetings between the two clubs. With Den Bosch pushing for the play-offs, the regional derby will add extra spice to this game.
Den Bosch boss Ulrich Landvreugd has been patient in trying to build the team into a force in Dutch soccer’s second tier, but his structured and often possession-based game plan has finally paid off with a push for the play-offs. The hosts will counter with a compact, counter-attacking style while Den Bosch will try to keep the ball and build up play patiently.
Sjors Ultee’s men are compact and quick
The difference in approach should make for a fascinating matchup with Den Bosch’s methodical possession play being put up against Top Oss’s directness. The hosts need to be solid in defence and quick on the break to get the result, but the visitors will make them pay if they overcommit, which they often do. According to this FC Oss / Top Oss vs FC Den Bosch prediction, defensive compactness and successful transitions could be key.
Sjors Ultee’s side have been better in the transition play than before he took over, but they are still a team that will try to be compact and make the other side make mistakes. This is where Landvreugd’s clever tweaks have seen Den Bosch get a boost, particularly away from home, where they have won six, drawn three and lost nine of their 18 Eerste Divisie trips this term.
This FC Oss / Top Oss vs FC Den Bosch preview examines the average number of goals scored per game by Den Bosch in their 18 away games, which is 1.56, while they have conceded an average of 2.11 per away match. Top Oss have won five, drawn three and lost ten of their 18 home games, conceding 1.78 goals per match on average.
Visitors can edge local derby
Den Bosch’s away record is better than the home record of Top Oss and, with two wins in their last three on the road, the odds of 2.04 available for the away win are generous given the difference in their positions in the division and the head-to-head record. The FC Oss / Top Oss vs FC Den Bosch betting tips focus on key players: Ilias Boumassaoudi, who has scored three of Den Bosch’s last nine goals in the league, is in top form and can be a threat to the Top Oss defence again.
The best bet on a goalscorer is Kevin Monzialo, however, as Den Bosch’s main man has bagged 15 goals in 33 league games this term. Mauresmo Hinoke leads the way for Top Oss with eight in 33 Eerste Divisie appearances and is a consistent outlet for the team’s direct approach. Back Den Bosch to nick this derby 2-1.
