In-form Go Ahead Eagles will go in search of a fifth victory in six games across all competitions when they welcome Groningen to De Adelaarshorst on Saturday evening.
The away side, meanwhile, make the journey to Deventer this weekend aiming to snap a run of five matches since their last victory and get their season back on track.
Match preview
© Imago
In keeping with their fine form over the festive period, Go Ahead Eagles eased past the challenge of FC Twente courtesy of a 3-1 triumph on Wednesday to book their place in the KNVB Beker quarter-finals.
After going behind in front of their fans for the second game running, Paul Simonis's men restored parity through Oliver Edvardsen before further goals from Mats Deijl and Mathis Suray completed the turnaround.
This came off the back of a resounding 3-0 win in the league against Fortuna Sittard for Go Ahead Eagles, who currently sit seventh in the Eredivisie table with 28 points picked up from their 18 matches so far.
A chance to win three games on the bounce for the first time this season now awaits the pride of the IJssel Kowet, but their record against this weekend's opponents does not make for good reading, with only one win from the last 13 editions of this fixture dating back to 1999.
However, it is worth noting the solitary win came in the most recent encounter back in September's reverse meeting, when Saturday's hosts had to wait until the 75th minute to break the deadlock despite being in the ascendancy from the first whistle.
© Imago
Groningen had little to show for their dominant display against Almere City as they had to settle for a share of the spoils in a 0-0 stalemate when the sides locked horns at Euroborg on Sunday afternoon.
While Dick Lukkien's men would have been disappointed not to have come away with all three points, they will be relieved to have snapped a three-game losing streak stretching back to a 2-0 defeat against FC Twente in their penultimate outing of 2024.
Just four points ahead of the relegation playoff spot as things stand, Trots van het Noorden will need to string together a decent run of results in the coming weeks to pull well clear of what is shaping up to be a frenetic relegation battle.
To do that, Groningen will first need to find a cutting edge in front of goal, having scored the second-fewest number of league goals in the division this term (14), only behind Almere City's meagre tally of 10.
Off the back of defeats in each of their last four away outings by a combined score of 12-2, Saturday's visitors have not fared well on their travels of late and have it all to do this weekend if they are to avoid coming away empty-handed.
Team News
© Imago
Bobby Adekanye did not play any part in Go Ahead Eagles' last outing against Fortuna Sittard due to a muscle problem, and he is set to miss Saturday's game as well.
In keeping with his time at the hosts so far which has been plagued by injuries, Finn Stokkers is unavailable once again as he continues to battle with a knee injury.
January arrival Mats Seuntjens could be handed his full debut for Groningen in this one after a 25-minute cameo for the forward against Almere last time out.
Tika de Jonge has been without an appearance for the away side since early November, and the 21-year-old is still a considerable way off making his return to action.
Go Ahead Eagles possible starting lineup:
Plogmann; James, Deijl, Nauber, Kramer; Llansana, Linthorst; Antman, Breum, O Edvardsen; V Edvardsen
Groningen possible starting lineup:
Vaessen; Bacuna, Rente, Blokzijl, Peersman; Resink, Hove; Postema, Oosting, Valente; Willumsson
We say: Go Ahead Eagles 2-0 Groningen
Given their recent run of results, Go Ahead Eagles are huge favourites to come out on top, and coupled with the added advantage of playing in front of their fans, we expect the hosts to secure maximum points from this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adepoju Marvellous
