Preview: Telstar vs Groningen - prediction, team news, lineups

Telstar play host to Groningen on Saturday looking for the victory that could ultimately prove to be the difference when it comes to survival in the Dutch top flight.

At a time when the home side sit in 14th position in the Eredivisie table, Groningen are 10th and still in the hunt for the European playoff spots.

Match preview

After their promotion through the playoffs last season, few people gave Telstar a realistic chance of transitioning from a seventh-placed finish in the Eerste Divisie to survival in the top flight.

However, a 10-point haul from six matches has catapulted Anthony Correia's side four points clear of the bottom two with six matches remaining.

While they only stay outside of the relegation playoff spot on goal difference, victory here - and being aided by their superior goal difference - could prove decisive at the end of the season.

As well as 3-0 and 4-1 wins over NAC Breda and Fortuna Sittard respectively, Telstar pulled off one of the shocks of the campaign before the international break as they recorded a 3-1 triumph over PSV Eindhoven.

Not only was it just their third win at the BUKO Stadion during 2025-26, it was their second successive victory on familiar territory.

© Iconsport / Orange Pictures

Next up for the White Lions is a showdown with Groningen, who remarkably shook off a six-game losing streak with an unbeaten three-match return before the international break.

That commenced with a 3-1 win over Ajax, and although they were held 1-1 at PEC Zwolle, Groningen delivered one of their performances of the season next time out.

Groningen stormed past AZ Alkmaar to post a 3-0 success, moving them to within four points of their sixth-placed opponents.

Although games with Feyenoord and NEC Nijmegen feature during the run-in, Dick Lukkien will be optimistic that a European playoff is a realistic possibility.

Nevertheless, Groningen make the trip to the BUKO Stadion having failed to win any of their last four away fixtures.

Telstar Eredivisie form:

Telstar form (all competitions):

Groningen Eredivisie form:

Team News

© Imago

Kay Tejan has put himself in contention for a recall to the Telstar XI with a goal against PSV last time out.

Soufiane Hetli could be the player to miss out, but it is dependent on whether Correia opts for a four-man or five-man midfield.

Tyrese Noslin is also an option to return at right wing-back ahead of Gerald Alders.

Barring any fitness issues, Lukkien may be prepared to name the same Groningen team that started the win over AZ.

Forward Thom van Bergen scored for the fourth successive game last time and should partner David van der Werff in attack.

Stije Resink and Etienne Vaessen remain among those who are sidelined through injury.

Telstar possible starting lineup:

Koeman; Nwankwo, Koswal, Bakker; Noslin, Owusu, Hatenboer, Brouwer, Hardeveld; Tejan, Van Duijn

Groningen possible starting lineup:

Jurjus; Rente, Blokzijl, Janse, Peersman; Taha, De Jonge, Land, Schreuders; Van Bergen, Van der Werff

We say: Telstar 1-1 Groningen

Despite the difference in league positions, we cannot ignore that Telstar have built momentum in recent weeks. While we do not expect them to overcome another in-form team, one of the minnows of the divisions may do enough to secure a share of the spoils.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.