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

Two teams in need of a win meet in round six of the 2026-27 Eredivisie season as Heerenveen host Telstar at the Abe Lenstra Stadion on Sunday.

Since winning on the opening matchday, both sides have failed to win any of their subsequent four matches and suffered narrow defeats last time out.

Match preview

Heerenveen failed to turn a 2-1 lead into victory for the second week running, starting September with a 3-2 defeat to Eredivisie leaders AZ Alkmaar and piling on pressure on Robin Veldman after a 2-2 draw with Willem II to close out August.

Veldman criticised his side for their lack of solidity after the defeat, which left Heerenveen with just two points from the last 12 available and 12th in the table.

However, De Superfriezen will be confident of an immediate response given a near-perfect record against Telstar, winning seven and drawing one of the eight previous meetings between the teams, most recently a 3-0 triumph in March to complete a league double after winning the reverse fixture 3-2.

Heerenveen last went five league games without a win in September 2025, early in Veldman’s reign, and the 40-year-old will be desperate to avoid a repeat as his side seek to halt their current slide.

With trips to Sparta Rotterdam and PSV Eindhoven to follow this weekend, Sunday's hosts could do with a return to winning ways to help restore some belief ahead of a tough run of fixtures.

© Iconsport / ANP

After battling back from two goals and a man down to earn a 2-2 draw with Cambuur, Telstar showed plenty of spirit in their midweek clash with FC Twente, but ultimately suffered a 1-0 defeat courtesy of Sondre Orjasaeter’s penalty midway through the second half.

That marked a fourth consecutive defeat for Henk Brugge’s side, who had begun the season with a shock 2-1 win over NEC and were unbeaten in five league outings dating back to last term.

Much of De Witte Leeuwen’s struggles can be attributed to defensive frailties, as they have now gone 10 matches without a clean sheet, conceding more than once on six occasions and 21 goals in total during that run.

Another concerning statistic for Telstar is that goalkeeper Ronald Koeman Jr has prevented more goals than any other Eredivisie keeper this season, suggesting things could have been even worse without his efforts.

A defeat in Heerenveen could see Sunday's visitors drop into the bottom three, and with games against AZ and Ajax to come in their next three, the IJmuiden-based outfit risk being dragged into an early-season relegation battle.

Heerenveen Eredivisie form:

Telstar Eredivisie form:

Team News

© Iconsport / Pro Shots

Defensive duo Mees Hilgers (knee) and Mats Egbring (ankle) remain sidelined for Heerenveen, with Hilgers still awaiting his debut.

After three consecutive starts, Marcus Linday has missed the last two games with a knee problem, so Nolhan Courtens is expected to keep his place in the XI.

However, Courtens could have a new midfield partner, with Dirk Proper a doubt after being forced off with an injury against AZ Alkmaar.

Telstar’s Nokkvi Thorisson was sent off against Cambuur but saw his red card overturned, allowing him to play against Twente.

Summer signing Ar’Jany Martha made his debut off the bench in midweek and is likely to settle for another cameo appearance.

Heerenveen possible starting lineup:

Klaverboer; Braude, Kersten, Willemsen, Zagaritis; Courtens, Proper; Trenskow, Meerveld, Rivera; Vente

Telstar possible starting lineup:

Koeman Jr; Peersman, Soualhia, Valk; Hardeveld, Owusu, Rossen, Alders; Brouwer, Mendes; Thorisson

We say: Heerenveen 2-1 Telstar

Sunday’s fixture has historically been one-sided, and Telstar appear unlikely to buck that trend given their poor form.

While Heerenveen have also been underwhelming of late, we are backing them to claim all three points at the end of 90 minutes.

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