Preview: Go Ahead Eagles vs. Groningen - prediction, team news, lineups

Meanwhile, the visitors have all but been relegated to the second tier, sitting 11 points adrift of safety with four matches remaining.

Match preview

While there has been a feeling that Go Ahead Eagles would ultimately survive in the top flight in convincing fashion, it has taken back-to-back wins to achieve that target.

After just one success in six outings, successive triumphs have been posted against RKC Waalwijk and Fortuna Sittard to sit eight points clear with four games left.

Although defeat at the weekend could change certain permutations, Rene Hake's side are realistically safe for another season and can focus on trying to register three victories in a row for the first time in 13 months.

Five different players got on the scoresheet across the last double-header, making it four wins and one draw from the most recent five fixtures at De Adelaarshorst.

Despite a trip to likely champions Feyenoord still to come, improving on last season's 12th-placed finish is available to them, Go Ahead Eagles currently just two points adrift of eighth spot.

In sharp contrast, Groningen are on their way to the second tier of Dutch football after a run of seven successive defeats and just one win since the World Cup.

Dennis van der Ree was installed as head coach in January, but the 44-year-old's stint at the club may soon come to an end as they plan for life below the top flight.

If you were to try to put a positive spin on their seven defeats, none of those losses have come by more than a two-goal margin, losing 1-0 at each of Feyenoord and AZ Alkmaar.

Nevertheless, only four successive wins and a miracle will do for the Pride of the North from here, something which is highly unlikely with Ajax still to come.

Go Ahead Eagles Eredivisie form:

W

D

L

L

W

W

Groningen Eredivisie form:

L

L

L

L

L

L

Team News

Go Ahead Eagles will be without Jose Fontan, who collected his fifth yellow card of the season last time out, but the defender started the win over Fortuna Sittard as a substitute.

If a change is made to a winning side, Xander Blomme could be rewarded for his goal in that fixture with a recall, potentially ahead of Evert Linthorst.

Fredrik Oppegard and Gerrit Nauber are expected to remain on the sidelines through injury.

Like their hosts, Groningen have a substitute from the most recent fixture suspended with Laros Duarte being sent off versus NEC Nijmegen in the final stages.

Joey Pelupessy may also replace Tomas Suslov, who has a one-match ban for five yellow cards, while Nordin Musampa appears likely to start at left-back in place of Jetro Willems.

Johan Hove and Oliver Antman's spots are also at risk after their early withdrawals last time out.

Go Ahead Eagles possible starting lineup:

Lange; Deijl, Amofa, Idzes, Kuipers; Blomme, Rommens; Fernandes, Willumsson, Edvardsen; Lidberg

Groningen possible starting lineup:

Leeuwenburgh; Balker, Chalus, Sorensen, Musampa; Irandust, Hove, Pelupessy, Maatta; Pepi, Antman

We say: Go Ahead Eagles 2-0 Groningen

Go Ahead Eagles have stepped up when required in recent weeks, whereas Groningen have not. With the pressure off the home side, we expect them to record a relatively comfortable win, relegating their opponents in the process.

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