Go Ahead Eagles could move up to sixth in the Eredivisie table by beating SBV Excelsior on Saturday.
Excelsior are only outside of the relegation on goal difference, having won just four league games all season.
Match preview
Go Ahead Eagles, on the other hand, are on the cusp of securing their highest league finish for over half a century, as they continue to improve under the tutelage of Rene Hake.
The former FC Utrecht boss took over as Go Ahead Eagles boss in May 2022, stabilising them following their promotion from the second tier by finishing 13th and 11th in recent seasons. This time around, though, they are firmly in contention to qualify for Europe for the first time since the 2015-16 campaign.
However, they have been defeated in three of their last four matches, failing to score in each of those losses. Losing to PSV Eindhoven and FC Twente would have been expected, but their 2-0 defeat away to Heracles prior to the international break was a disappointing outcome.
Despite having more possession at Erve Asito, second-half strikes from Jizz Hornkamp and Bryan Limbombe proved enough to send Hake's side home with nothing to show for themselves. They will be hoping that the break came at the perfect time, potentially helping them return to winning ways this weekend.
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Excelsior, meanwhile, ended a run of six successive defeats by drawing 1-1 at home against their relegation rivals RKC Waalwijk in their last match.
Siebe Horemans appeared to have handed his side a crucial victory after breaking the deadlock within the opening half-an-hour, but Mats Seuntijens snatched a point for the visitors to leave both sides level on points either side of the dreaded dotted lines.
In fairness, both teams possess a five-point lead over Vitesse inside the automatic relegation zone heading into this weekend's action, meaning that they have a solid chance of avoiding dropping straight down to the Eerste Division.
However, having finished 15th last season under Marinus Dijkhuizen, the 52-year-old will be disappointed by his side's lack of progress throughout this campaign. They managed to finish four points clear of danger in the end last time around, and he would certainly take a repeat of that at this stage of proceedings.
Team News
Go Ahead Eagles will remain without Philippe Rommens - who is widely regarded as one of the club's star players - due to a serious ankle injury, but otherwise Hake should have a fully-fit squad at his disposal.
Bobby Adekanye and Soren Tengstedt will both be pushing for starting berths after only being used from the bench during their side's defeat against Heracles last time out.
Excelsior, on the other hand, have a much more stacked injury list. Troy Parrott, who is on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, is ruled out alongside Redouan El Yaakoubi. Kik Pierie, Ian Smeulers, Serano Seymor, Jacky Donkour and Lennard Hartjes are all also major doubts.
As such, Dijkhuizen may keep faith with the same starting XI that finally ended the club's lengthy losing streak, although Cisse Sandra represents a decent option to slot into the visitors' midfield area.
Go Ahead Eagles possible starting lineup:
De Lange; Deijl, Nauber, Kramer, Kuipers; Linthorst, Llansana; Adekanye, Wilumsson, O Edvardsen; V Edvardsen
SBV Excelsior possible starting lineup:
Van Gassel; Horemans, Widell, Nieuwpoort, Benita; Baas, Goudmijn; Fernandes, Naujoks, Driouech; Duijvstijn
We say: Go Ahead Eagles 2-1 SBV Excelsior
Having enjoyed a superb season by their usual standards so far, Go Ahead Eagles will be hopeful that they can return to winning ways against their struggling opponents on Saturday.
Excelsior finally ended their losing run against fellow strugglers last time out, but they may be on the end of another narrow defeat at De Adelaarshorst.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Brett Curtis
