Groningen play host to Go Ahead Eagles looking for the win that will see them keep pace with the early frontrunners in the Eredivisie.
At a time when the home team sit in sixth position in the standings, the visitors are two points adrift of their opponents in 10th place.
Match preview
© Imago
Having earned promotion back to the top flight, Groningen have been outstanding as they bid to re-establish themselves in the division.
Victories over NAC Breda and RKC Waalwijk, each which could prove to be crucial at the back end of the season, were posted in their first two fixtures.
Three successive draws followed, yet two of the stalemates were at home to AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord to further cement the feeling that there will be no immediate relegation.
The first blip of the campaign came last weekend, letting slip a lead to lose 2-1 to Heerenveen where they were not helped by having two players sent off in the second half.
Dick Lukkien will hope that his players have the resolve to immediately bounce back, particularly when a trip to Ajax is in the offing next week.
From the perspective of Go Ahead Eagles, there was always the chance of a slow start on the back of spending last season competing for the European spots against the odds.
Three defeats in four games, all without finding the back of the net, was less than ideal, but Paul Simonis now appears to be making his mark.
Wins have been recorded against RKC Waalwijk and Sparta Rotterdam, while more frustration was inflicted on Ajax last weekend as they earned a 1-1 draw.
Now sitting just four points adrift of the top four and with PSV Eindhoven and Ajax already being played, the foundations have been laid for Go Ahead Eagles to kick on over the coming matches.
Team News
With Groningen defender Marvin Peersman serving a suspension, Sven Bouland could be drafted into the middle of the backline.
Brynjolfur Willumsson is also banned for his sending off last time out, but he started the defeat to Heerenveen on the substitutes' bench.
Wouter Prins is an alternative to Finn Stam who was withdrawn at half time in the aforementioned game.
Meanwhile, Simonis may be prepared to name the same Go Ahead Eagles XI from the draw with Ajax.
Soren Tengstedt, Robbin Weijenberg and Dean James are all in line to miss out through injury.
Groningen possible starting lineup:
Vaessen; Bacuna, Blokzijl, Bouland, Stam; Schreuders, Resink, Hove, Valente; Postema, Van Bergen
Go Ahead Eagles possible starting lineup:
Plogmann; Deijl, Nauber, Kramer, Adelgaard; Linthorst, Llansana; Adekanye, Breum, Antman; V. Edvardsen
We say: Groningen 2-2 Go Ahead Eagles
With Go Ahead Eagles starting to find some form, this should be one of the more competitive fixtures of the latest Eredivisie matches. The visitors have only started scoring regularly of late, yet we feel it should hold them in good stead in an entertaining shar of the spoils.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
