Preview: Heerenveen vs. FC Twente - prediction, team news, lineups

Unbeaten against Heerenveen for nearly three years, FC Twente travel to Abe Lenstra Stadion on Sunday aiming for their first victory of the 2025-26 Eredivisie.

Although both clubs are yet to win in the opening two rounds, three of their last five league encounters have seen six goals, and another high-scoring contest is possible this weekend as the hosts look to secure their first victory in this fixture since September 2022.

Match preview

Heerenveen struggled for clean sheets in pre-season, and the Super Frisians are yet to keep a shutout after two rounds, conceding against FC Volendam and Groningen.

Although conclusions cannot be drawn after just two games, fans may be concerned about their team failing to hold on to leads against the promoted side in the 1-1 draw in gameweek one and last weekend’s 2-1 defeat to Groningen.

After being pegged back in the opening game, Robin Veldman’s team then suffered a late defeat last weekend when Brynjolfur Darri Willumsson’s 94th-minute strike inflicted De Superfriezen’s first loss of the season.

To secure their first victory this term, the Super Frisians need to end their seven-match winless streak against Twente across all competitions, dating back to a 2-1 win in September 2022.

That win remains Heerenveen's only victory in this fixture in the last 10 meetings across all competitions, highlighting De Superfriezen’s underwhelming performance over a longer period.

However, Twente’s winless start could present an opportunity for the hosts to beat their opponents for the first time in eight encounters.

Like their hosts, Joseph Oosting’s team have yet to secure maximum points this season, but the Tukkers are struggling at both ends of the pitch.

The Reds have conceded three goals in their two games, losing 1-0 to PEC Zwolle and falling 2-0 to PSV Eindhoven at home last weekend; nonetheless, Oosting’s team have generated 35 shots in those defeats.

While this indicates Twente’s difficulty in finishing their chances, the lack of quality opportunities — having created only one clear-cut chance — suggests they have been attempting low-probability efforts.

Thus, it will be interesting to see if the away side can create better scoring chances this weekend against an opponent they tend to do well against, despite the last two visits to Heerenveen ending in thrilling 3-3 draws.

Remarkably, three of Twente's last five encounters with Sunday's opponents have ended 3-3, with two of these six-goal thrillers occurring outside Enschede, and another goal-fest could be in the offing on Sunday, regardless of the away team's current issues in attack.

Heerenveen Eredivisie form:

FC Twente Eredivisie form:

Team News

While Pawel Bochniewicz is reportedly nearing a return from a knee injury, Levi Smans's knee issue is expected to keep him out until September.

A potentially significant blow for the hosts is the probable absence of Luuk Brouwers, who scored in the opening gameweek and assisted Jacob Trenskow's goal in the defeat by Groningen, before going off injured in the 35th minute last weekend.

Twente could be without the services of Sam Lammers, who remains on the mend after a knee problem, while Sondre Orjasaeter could miss out due to a hamstring issue.

Although Ricky van Wolfswinkel has yet to open his account this season, the forward has created four chances for teammates, highlighting his role as a provider.

Mats Rots has also posed an attacking threat from left-back, evidenced by his four chances created, which is one more than Ramiz Zerrouki, and both men hope to play vital roles in Twente's pursuit of a maiden win this season.

Heerenveen possible starting lineup:

Noppert; Braude, Kersten, Hopland, Zagaritis; Linday, Van Ee, Overeem; Trenskow, Rivera, Sejk

FC Twente possible starting lineup:

Unnerstall; Van Rooij, Propper, Lemkin, Rots; Zerrouki, Belt; Van Bergen, Hlynsson, Booth; Van Wolfswinkel

We say: Heerenveen 1-1 FC Twente

While Heerenveen may have believed they could finally end their long wait for a win in this fixture, Brouwers’s potential absence could be a setback for the hosts after the midfielder’s strong start to the season.

Therefore, the teams might share the points on Sunday, with Twente expected to finally score after failing to find the net in the first two gameweeks.

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