Preview:Heerenveen vs. NEC - prediction, team news, lineups

In search of a third straight victory, Heerenveen play host to NEC on Sunday at the Abe Lenstra Stadion in round five of the 2022-23 Eredivisie campaign.

On the other hand, the visitors are looking to get back to winning ways off the back of consecutive stalemates in each of their last two outings.

Match preview

Heerenveen saw off the threat of a resolute Fortuna Sittard side courtesy of a narrow 2-1 victory when the teams faced off on Saturday night.

Kees van Wonderen's men flew out of the blocks and led by two at half time courtesy of strikes from Sydney van Hooijdonk and Milan van Ewijk before Burak Yilmaz pulled one back from the spot late on.

As a result, De Superfriezen have moved up to sixth place in the league table, four points behind Ajax and PSV Eindhoven at the top of the pile.

Up next is the challenge of an opposing outfit who are unbeaten in the most recent nine editions of this fixture across all competitions.

Having let in just one goal in four matches so far, Sunday's hosts will be looking for another solid display at the back ahead of a daunting task against defunding champions Ajax.

NEC Nijmegen had to make do with a point for the second game running following a 1-1 draw against AZ Alkmaar at the AFAS Stadion on Thursday.

Rogier Meijer's men took a shock lead in the early exchanges of the second half through Ivan Marquez, but they were soon pegged back by Jens Odgaard.

With five points from a possible 12 this term, the Eniesee are eighth in the Eredivisie standings, just a point adrift of the last European spot.

Off the back of eight goals scored in their last three games on the road, Sunday's visitors set out to put on another impressive attacking display away from home.

Team News

NEC are set to be without the services of Philippe Sandler and Mathias De Wolf, who are currently down with ankle and muscle injuries respectively.

Magnus Mattsson was fit enough to be named on the bench last time out, but it remains to be seen if the 23-year-old will feature on Sunday.

Ian Beelen has missed each of Heerenveen's last seven games through injury, and the Dutchman's involvement is up in the air for this weekend's contest.

With four goals scored in his last two appearances for the home side, forward Sydney van Hooijdonk is definitely one to keep an eye on here.

Heerenveen possible starting lineup:

Noppert; Van Ewijk, Van Beek, Bochniewicz, Van Aken, Kohlert; Haye, Tahiri, Halilovic; Sarr, Van Hooijdonk

NEC possible starting lineup:

Cillessen; El Karouani, Kramer, Marquez, Van Rooy; Schone, Proper; Duelund, Tannane, Tavsan; Rosendo

We say: Heerenveen 1-0 NEC

Following consecutive wins heading into this weekend's clash, Heerenveen will fancy themselves to keep the juggernaut rolling. The home side have also been rock-solid at the back, and we are tipping them to scrape a narrow victory here.

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