Preview: FC Twente vs. Heerenveen - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts are currently third in the league table, meaning they should fancy their chances this weekend, as the visitors are in 12th place.

Match preview

Twente have made a flying start to the season, having won five of their opening six Eredivisie games, which means they are just three points off top spot at this early juncture.

The Reds have had some relatively kind fixtures at the start of the campaign, comfortably defeating the likes of Almere City and PEC Zwolle, but they have also looked impressive against some of the Eredivisie's bigger sides.

Joseph Oosting's side ran out 3-1 winners at home against Ajax earlier this month, continuing their phenomenal record at De Grolsch Veste, having not lost a league match in front of their own fans since May 2022.

The only negative for the Tukkers at the start of the campaign is the fact they fell to a 6-1 defeat against Fenerbahce over two legs, meaning they did not qualify for the Europa Conference League.

However, Twente could have aspirations of qualifying for the Europa League or even the Champions League if they continue to perform the way they have been, having won their opening three home games, which should give them confidence heading into Saturday's match.

Heerenveen have not been quite as impressive as the Reds at the start of the Eredivisie season, having only taken six points from their opening six games, and they have looked particularly poor defensively.

The Super Frisians have conceded 16 goals so far this season, the second-highest amount in the league, falling to a heavy 6-1 defeat against Feyenoord earlier this month, and they are currently on a very poor run of form.

Kees van Wonderen's side have lost their last four games in the Eredivisie, conceding 15 goals in the process, and it is only their two wins at the start of the campaign keeping them out of the bottom three.

Losses against the likes of Feyenoord are to be expected, but Heerenveen will be very disappointed with the result in their last match, succumbing to a 3-0 defeat at home against Excelsior, after recording just two shots on target in the entire match.

FC Twente Eredivisie form:

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L

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FC Twente form (all competitions):

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Heerenveen Eredivisie form:

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Team News

FC Twente will be disappointed to be without Naci Unuvar due to injury, as the 21-year-old has picked up one goal and two assists in his opening four Eredivisie games, and the left-winger's absence means Michel Vlap is set to keep his place in the side.

Joshua Brenet has missed the last six games through injury, and the defender is likely to miss out again, while Max Bruns and Gijs Smal also remain sidelined.

Heerenveen suffered a shock 3-0 defeat in their last match, meaning Van Wonderen may be tempted to make a few changes to his side, and Pelle Van Amersfoort could replace Ion Nicolaescu in attack.

Che Nunnely was withdrawn on the hour mark against Excelsior, and the 24-year-old is without a goal or assist in his opening six games, meaning Patrik Walemark could be handed his first for the Super Frisians at right-wing, having joined from Feyenoord in the summer.

FC Twente possible starting lineup:

Unnerstall; Sampsted, Hilgers, Propper, Regeer; Kjolo, Sadilek, Rots, Steijn, Vlap; Ugalde

Heerenveen possible starting lineup:

Noppert; Hall, Van Beek, Van Ottele; Kohlert; Haye, Brouwers, Walemark, Olsson, Sahraoui; Van Amersfoort

We say: FC Twente 2-0 Heerenveen

FC Twente have a phenomenal record on their own patch, having gone undefeated at De Grolsch Veste in the Eredivisie across the whole of the 2022-23 campaign.

The Tukkers have kicked off with three wins from three at home this season, so they should have no problem brushing aside an out-of-form Heerenveen side.

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