Heerenveen and Willem II, two teams with contrasting ambitions in the Eredivisie, are set to face off on Friday night at the Abe Lenstra Stadion.
The hosts are striving for a European qualification playoff spot, while the visitors are fighting to avoid relegation from the top flight.
Match preview
© Imago
Heerenveen, having secured back-to-back top eight finishes in 2021-22 and 2022-23, would have been disappointed to have dropped out of the European qualification places last season.
The Super Frisians placed 11th in the Eredivisie table, finishing nine points adrift of the top nine, and they will be aiming to bounce back into the European qualification places this term.
Friday's hosts are currently placed 11th in the standings with 31 points from 27 fixtures - after eight wins, seven draws and 12 defeats - leaving them only one point behind ninth-placed Fortuna Sittard and eighth-placed FC Groningen.
Heerenveen, after a challenging start to the season, done well to climb into the nine as they lost just three times in a nine-game stretch from October to January, but just one victory in the next nine games has seen them drop down the table.
That run coincided with the departure of manager Robin van Persie to Feyenoord, and new boss Robin Veldman will now be seeking his first victory after losing his debut match to Utrecht last time out.
Three points could lift the hosts into the top nine depending on results elsewhere, while a defeat could see them drop to 14th in the table, with several teams below them able to overtake Heerenveen.
Heerenveen will be the favourites to secure all the points on Friday night, as their opponents are heading into the game on the back of a dismal run of results.
Willem II have failed to win any of their last 10 matches in the Eredivisie, suffering eight defeats and two draws, including a streak of five consecutive defeats heading into this outing.
That downturn in form has been a frustrating collapse for Willem II, who had placed in the top nine before this slump - having secured six wins, four draws, and just seven losses in their first 17 games.
The club have kept their faith in manager Peter Maes, who guided Willem II back to the top division for the first time since their relegation in 2021-22 as they lifted the Eerste Divisie title last campaign.
However, the pressure on the manager is undoubtedly mounting as the threat of relegation intensifies with the season's end drawing near, and a win on Friday could be crucial in kickstarting a strong run of results as they aim to extend their top-flight stay.
The Super Pitchers will face a tough test on Friday night, though, as the visitors have recorded only one win in their past six meetings with Heerenveen, while the hosts have been formidable at home this term, with only one defeat from 13 home fixtures in the league.
Team News
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The hosts will be without Che Nunnely, Jacob Trenskow and Pawel Bochniewicz for this match due to ongoing injury issues, while the rest of the squad should be available for selection.
After losing 2-0 to Utrecht in his first match in charge of Heerenveen, Veldman could decide to make a number of changes in this one, meaning the likes of Ion Nicolaescu, Luuk Brouwers and Eser Gurbuz could start.
As for the visitors, Boris Lambet, Cisse Sandra, Dani Mathieu and Mickael Tirpan could all miss out due to injury issues, while Kyan Vaesen is unavailable due to suspension.
In Vaesen's absence, Youssuf Sylla could lead the line on Friday night, while Ringo Meerveld is anticipated to keep his place in the attacking midfield.
Heerenveen possible starting lineup:
Noppert; Braude, Kersten, Hopland, Kohlert; Van Ee, Brouwers; Gurbuz, Smans, Sebaoui; Nicolaescu
Willem II possible starting lineup:
Didillon; Jago, Behounek, Schouten; Doodeman, Bosch, Lachkar, Joosten, Nizet; Meerveld; Sylla
We say: Heerenveen 2-0 Willem II
The hosts have an impressive record at home in the league this term - losing only one of their 13 home fixtures - and given Willem II's poor record in this clash, we expect Heerenveen to win this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
