Heerenveenvs.RKC Waalwijk

The hosts will be hoping to open up further daylight between themselves and the bottom three with a win here, while three points could help lift the visitors off the foot of the table.

Match preview

Heerenveen returned from the international break with a trip to Rotterdam to face Feyenoord last weekend but they left empty-handed, conceding their seventh loss of the season after 13 games.

That result also marked their third consecutive 3-0 defeat on the road in the top flight and extended their woeful away record to eight league losses in a row - the last time they tasted victory in an away match was back in mid-April.

At home, though, De Superfriezen have been formidable, unbeaten in six matches this season, including four wins and two draws, while they maintained clean sheets in three of their last five games at Abe Lenstra Stadion.

For Robin van Persie's side to make genuine strides up the table and push into the top half, they will need to find the same type of defensive performances they have delivered at home when on the road.

Heerenveen have allowed just three goals on their home patch this season, which is the second-fewest of any side in the division, but they have shipped a whopping 23 on enemy territory - the most in the league.

Meanwhile, after being involved in the relegation scrap for the entire of last season, RKC Waalkwijk have a huge task on their hands if they are to avoid the drop again this term.

After 13 games, RKC have managed just a single victory and two draws, which sees them languishing at the bottom of the league standings, five points behind Sparta Rotterdam in the relegation playoff spot.

Henk Fraser's side have started showing signs of life in recent weeks, though, with all five of their points to date coming in their last five matches, which is a significant improvement following eight consecutive defeats from the start of the campaign.

However, like their upcoming opponents, the visitors have been dreadful on the road this term, managing only one point in six away games, while conceding two or more goals in each of those matches.

Waalwijk failed to beat Heerenveen home or away last season, losing 3-1 at this venue over the opening week of the campaign before playing out a 1-1 draw on their home patch at the end of March.

Heerenveen Eredivisie form:

D

L

W

L

W

L

RKC Waalwijk Eredivisie form:

L

D

L

W

L

D

Team News

Mickey van der Hart has been an unused substitute for Heerenveen in the last two matches since returning from injury against Go Ahead Eagles, and Van Persie may consider using this fixture to allow him to get some game time under his belt.

Jacob Trenskow has been the side's standout performer over the last month, netting in three of his last five matches, and he should continue in the number 10 role here behind Ion Nicolaescu.

Joey Kesting made his professional debut between the sticks against Heracles after Jeroen Houwen dropped out due to illness, and with Yanick van Osch currently sidelined, the 23-year-old should start this match as well.

Aaron Meijers returned to the bench last week after missing the previous three matches, and he will be hoping to get on the pitch this weekend, while Juan Familia-Castillo is the only confirmed injury absentee for the visitors.

Heerenveen possible starting lineup:

Noppert; Kersten, Bochniewicz, Hopland, Braude; Conde, Van Ee; Smans, Brouwers, Trenskow; Nicolaescu

RKC Waalwijk possible starting lineup:

Kesting; Van Gelderen, Van Eijma, Van Den Buijs, Wouters; Van de Loo, Roemeratoe; Van der Venne, Van der Water, Zawada; Margaret

We say: Heerenveen 2-1 RKC Waalwijk

While Waalwijk have shown significant improvement over the last month after a shocking start to the season, Heerenveen have been one of the best sides at home this season, and we feel the hosts will pick up another three points in this one.

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