Sports Mole previews Sunday’s Eredivisie clash between Heerenveen and Vitesse, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Heerenveen will attempt to keep their hopes of securing European football alive on Sunday in a must-win game against Vitesse, who have already been relegated.
While the hosts will rely on other teams slipping up, they must secure three points if they want to finish in the top eight in the Eredivisie this season.
Match preview
The pressure will be on Heerenveen this weekend, as anything but a win would end their late charge for a European finish in the Eredivisie.
The club sits six points behind Go Ahead Eagles in eighth place, and with two games remaining, it could go down to the wire if they can pick up a victory this weekend.
However, Heerenveen needs both Go Ahead Eagles and Sparta Rotterdam, who also sit above them, to lose. On top of that, the goal difference is not currently in their favour, with Paul Simonis needing to push the attacking aspect of his side.
After consecutive games without a win, the focus needs to be on getting things back on track, particularly since they have yet to respond to the 8-0 thrashing they suffered at the hands of PSV Eindhoven.
Heerenveen did pick up a point last week against Almere, but it took an 80th-minute equalizer from Osame Sahraoui to make that happen, with the Super Frisians needing to step up this weekend.
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The visitors also head into this game after a disappointing performance, as they were defeated 1-0 against Utrecht during their most recent outing.
While Vitesse are already relegated, largely due to the heavy points deduction that the club suffered this season, the team have still been pushing to try and finish the campaign respectably.
Vitesse managed to reach a positive number of points, which is a positive, and with only two games left, the players will want to give the fans something to cheer about after a dismal season.
Having picked up only five wins throughout the entire campaign, confidence has been low within the squad. But surprisingly, they have been stronger away from home when it comes to winning games, with three victories on the road.
Vitesse have been defensively weak this season though, having conceded 71 goals at this stage. Only FC Volendam have let in more, with this being something the team needs to concentrate on improving ahead of the new campaign.
Heerenveen Eredivisie form:
Vitesse Eredivisie form:
Team News
Pelle van Amersfoort is expected to lead the line for the hosts this weekend, while Sahraoui should retain his place in the team after scoring last week.
Heerenveen is unlikely to tinker with a flat-back four at this stage in the season, as they aim to provide as much defensive cover as possible.
The visitors have a plethora of injuries at the moment, with Davy Propper, Fode Fofana, Miliano Jonathans and Mexx Meerdink all dealing with knee problems.
Elsewhere, Nicolas Isimat-Mirin has been out of action since May because of a back issue.
But they could welcome Giovani van Zwam back into the squad following his suspension.
Heerenveen possible starting lineup:
Van Der Hart; Johansen Braude, Van Beek, Van Ottele, Kohlert; Van Ee, Haye; Nunnely, Brouwers, Sahraoui; Van Amersfoort
Vitesse possible starting lineup:
Room; Arcus, Isimat-Mirin, Hendriks, Pinto; Aaronson, Tielemans, Meulensteen; De Regt, Buitink, Kozlowski
We say: Heerenveen 2-0 Vitesse
Heerenveen might have been struggling lately, but considering they have the chance to earn European football next season there is enough on the line to motivate them here.
The visitors have had a difficult season, and given that they are already relegated the hosts will see this as an ideal opportunity to get back to winning ways.
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