It promises to be exciting weeks in the play-offs: no fewer than three Brabant football clubs are competing for a place in the Eredivisie. Willem II, RKC Waalwijk and FC Den Bosch hope to play football at the highest level again next season. But what do the clubs have to do to promote to the Eredivisie?
While most football players from the first division are already enjoying their holidays, a number of clubs now have to get to work.
First round of play
The first round starts on Tuesday evening. RKC Waalwijk opens the play-offs with a match against Roda JC in Kerkrade. The return will take place in Waalwijk on Friday evening, May 1.
FC Den Bosch starts a diptych against Almere City on Wednesday evening. The second match is scheduled for next Saturday, May 2.
Second round of play
The two winners from the first round will move on to the second round after these matches. De Graafschap and Willem II are waiting for them as opponents.
If RKC Waalwijk advances to the second round, the club can prepare for a Brabant get-together. Duels with Willem II await on May 5 and 9. Because Willem II finished third in the Kitchen Champion Division, the Tilburg team only entered in the second round. If the Waalwijkers are unable to keep Roda JC in charge, the club from Kerkrade will become the opponent of the Tilburg team.
On the other side of the schedule, Brabant’s success could quickly come to an end. If Den Bosch fails to beat Almere, Almere City will take on De Graafschap. If the residents of Den Bosch succeed, they will be the ones who can play against the club from Doetinchem on May 6 and 9.
Third round of play
The clubs that dominate their opponents in the second round qualify for the third round and then play against each other. It remains to be seen whether this double meeting will also result in a Brabant get-together. But there is a chance that RKC or Willem II will face FC Den Bosch on May 13 and 16.
Final
The team that ultimately emerges as the winner of the third round will finally face the number 16 from the Eredivisie in the final of the play-offs. It is currently unclear which club this will be, but this could also be NAC. With three matches to go, the people of Breda are now in 17th place, five points behind Telstar. The final diptych will be played on May 20 and 23.
