Preview: Willem II vs. Groningen - prediction, team news, lineups

Seventh-placed Groningen make the trip to Willem II on Thursday night eager to end their two-match winless streak in the Eredivisie.

As for the home side, they have lost five of their last six matches in the Dutch top flight, a run which has left the club in the relegation zone.

Match preview

Having not finished in the top six since 2014, Groningen supporters are optimistic that the wait will soon come to an end after a promising start to the campaign.

However, on the back of four successive wins in the Eredivisie, just one point has been recorded against Heracles and FC Utrecht, teams sitting in 13th and 10th position respectively.

Danny Buijs will be content that his side remain in seventh position in the standings, just a point adrift of AZ Alkmaar, who occupy the final Europa League spot.

Nevertheless, there will be an acknowledgement that the Green-White Army can ill-afford an extended run without a victory, particularly with Vitesse threatening to make it a four-way title race.

As far as Willem II are concerned, they are desperate to improve on a run of results which has seen them record just one win from 15 fixtures in all competitions.

Eleven defeats have come since September 24, the latest being a demoralising 2-1 reverse at VVV-Venlo after they had held a lead until the 79th minute.

Despite the recent 1-1 draw against leaders Ajax remaining fresh in the memory, Adrie Koster has a tough job to rouse his players after the most recent setback.

While they remain with one of the worst attacking records in the division, scoring five times in their last three games hints that they are beginning to find some form in the final third.

However, top goalscorer Vangelis Pavlidis has now gone four matches without hitting the back of the net for Superkruiken.

Willem II Eredivisie form: LLLLDL Willem II form (all competitions): LLLLDL

Groningen Eredivisie form: WWWWLD Groningen form (all competitions): WWLWLD

Team News

Despite the disappointment of the VVV-Venlo defeat, Willem II manager Koster could opt against making mass changes to his team.

Ole Romeny is in contention for just his third start of the campaign after being introduced as a half-time substitute in that contest.

Having been provided with an extra day of recovery, Buijs may select the same team which started the 2-2 draw at Utrecht.

While he was brought on at the break, Tomas Suslov may have to wait for his second opportunity in the first XI.

Remco Balk is another option for Buijs if he decides to replace Alessio Da Cruz in the final third.

Willem II possible starting lineup: Brondeel; Heerkens, Holmen, Heijden, Kohn; Saglam, Tresor, Saddiki; Romeny, Wriedt, Pavlidis

Groningen possible starting lineup: Padt; Dankerlui, Dammers, Itakura, Hintum, Gudmundsson; Messaoudi, Joosten, Kaam; Balk, Larsen

We say: Willem II 1-1 Groningen

Groningen will recognise that this is an ideal opportunity to get their Europa League qualification bid back on track. However, Willem II have shown that they are capable of performing against the odds, and we are backing another low-scoring draw for the home side.

Top betting tip