The Eredivisie continues on Sunday afternoon as FC Volendam host Groningen at Kras Stadion, with both sides desperate for three points to aid their survival aims this season.
Volendam were able to achieve a respectable point at Ajax last time out, whereas Groningen lost yet another game as they remain rooted to the bottom of the league standings.
Match preview
Volendam are back in the Eredivisie after over a decade away from the Dutch top flight, and they still have a fighting chance of maintaining their first-tier status after the first half of the campaign.
Wim Jonk's men are not just making up the numbers this season, as proven by their recent 1-1 draw with current champions Ajax, a result which saw Alfred Schreuder lose his job at the Johan Cruijff Arena.
One point could have been all three if it was not for Mohammed Kudus's late equaliser for the hosts on Thursday night, with Volendam centre-back Damon Mirani netting his first goal of the season after 60 minutes to put the visitors into a shock lead.
That point in Amsterdam lifted Volendam into 16th place in the Eredivisie standings, now just three points away from Emmen, who are just outside the relegation positions.
Jonk's side survived an onslaught from Ajax to earn a point last time out, but should be able to impose themselves more on Sunday afternoon considering they face off against the league's bottom club.
Groningen suffered a massive blow in their battle for survival on Thursday night as they were defeated 1-0 by fellow strugglers Cambuur on home soil, a result which meant they fell to the bottom of the top-flight table.
Six successive defeats in the Eredivisie have destroyed confidence within the Groningen camp - the Pride of the North were also eliminated from the KNVB-Beker by third-tier Spakenburg earlier this month, so it is safe to say Dennis van der Ree's men are not in the happiest of moods.
After finishing in comfortable mid-table positions over the past decade, Groningen now find themselves in a scrap for survival and fans are dreaming of a return to the days when their side won the KNVB-Beker in 2015.
If anyone in the Groningen squad looks capable of keeping the club in the division, it is American Ricardo Pepi, with the 20-year-old having registered nine goal contributions in 13 matches since making the loan switch from Augsburg in the summer.
Another glimmer of hope for Groningen supporters this Sunday is the fact that their side have won five of the last six meetings with Volendam - albeit four of those successes were in pre-season friendlies.
Team News
Volendam have limited options in their midfield due to the continued absence of 23-year-old Francesco Antonucci, with the Belgian not currently having a timescale on his return to first-team action after suffering an injury in August.
Jonk should reward the team that secured a point against Dutch giants Ajax on Thursday night, meaning Gaetano Oristanio will likely get another chance from the start to score his first Eredivisie goal of the campaign.
Groningen have not been helped by several injuries in their defensive ranks of late, with centre-backs Marin Sverko and Nordin Musampa both yet to feature in 2023 for the Pride of the North.
Longer-term absentees for Groningen such as Laros Duarte and Paulos Abraham are still unavailable for selection on Sunday, meaning a team stripped of any confidence must go again this weekend.
FC Volendam possible starting lineup:
Stankovic; Plat, Mbuyamba, Mirani, Flint, James; Twigt, Silva, Eiting, Murkin; Oristanio
Groningen possible starting lineup:
Verrips; Balker, Blokzijl, Bech; Van Gelderen, Oratmangoen, Valente, Hove, Dybvik; Pepi, Kruger
We say: FC Volendam 1-0 Groningen
Despite remaining in trouble at the bottom of the Eredivisie, Volendam will be buoyed by their result at Ajax last time out and should be confident of beating a faltering Groningen side.
The Pride of the North are in danger of being cut adrift from their relegation rivals if they were to lose on Sunday afternoon, a possible reality which will pile further pressure on a team who are visibly struggling.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Carter White
