Two teams competing to finish in the Conference League playoff places in the Eredivisie table are set to come together on Wednesday as Groningen host Heracles.
The hosts are 13th in the table and trail the top nine by three points, while the visitors are ninth in the standings, just a point above the chasing pack.
Match preview
© Imago
Groningen's 23-year stay in the top flight came to an end as they suffered relegation in 2022-23, but the Pride of the North quickly returned to the Eredivisie with a second-placed finish in the Eerste Divisie in 2023-24.
Wednesday's hosts have enjoyed a largely positive 2024-25 season, currently in the race for a top nine finish in the Eredivisie, where they would earn the chance to qualify for the Conference League.
Groningen have, however, fallen out of the top nine in recent weeks, due to Dick Lukkien's side failing to win any of their last four league fixtures, including three successive defeats heading into this one.
Those results leave Groningen sitting 13th in the table with 32 points, eight above the drop zone and just three behind ninth-placed Heracles, meaning Wednesday's clash is a vital fixture in the race for a top nine place.
Heracles are in much greater form than their opposition heading into Wednesday's encounter, having avoided defeat in their last four league games, with two wins and two draws.
HAFC experienced a challenging opening to the Eredivisie season, including sitting just one place above the drop zone on matchday 23, but their recent upturn in form has lifted them into the top nine.
Erwin van de Looi, who took charge in December 2023, will be pleased with their campaign, after finishing 14th in the table last term, but the manager will be eyeing a top nine finish.
With just five matches remaining and eight teams battling for the eighth and ninth-placed spots, a victory against fellow challengers Groningen could prove crucial in the ongoing race.
The visitors may fancy their chances heading into the clash, as Heracles have avoided defeat to Groningen in all of their last five competitive matches, recording four wins and one draw.
Team News
© Imago
The hosts are expected to be without the services of Fofin Turay, Maxim Mariani and Wouter Prins for Wednesday's match due to ongoing injury issues, with all three expected to return later this month.
Following three successive defeats heading into this encounter, Lukkien may decide to make several changes to his starting team for this clash, meaning the likes of Leandro Bacuna and Jorg Schreuders could start.
As for the visitors, Nikolai Laursen and Sava Cestic are unavailable due to injury problems, while Brian De Keersmaecker is a doubt after being forced off in their last outing.
Elsewhere, Jizz Hornkamp is expected to lead the line once again for Heracles after scoring his seventh league goal of the campaign in the 1-0 win against AZ Alkmaar.
Groningen possible starting lineup:
Vaessen; Rente, Ekdal, Blokzijl, Peersman; Seuntjens, Bacuna, Resink, Schreuders; Valente, Bergen
Heracles possible starting lineup:
Keijzer; Wieckhoff, Mirani, Mesik, Rots; Zamburek, Scheperman; Podgoreanu, Bruns, Engels; Hornkamp
We say: Groningen 1-2 Heracles
Heracles have had the upper hand in this fixture in recent meetings, and given Groningen's struggles in their last outings, we expect the visitors to win here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
