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

The hosts have suffered two damaging defeats over the past week in their bid to retain their first-tier status, whereas Twente are eyeing up a top-three position after an impressive unbeaten run in January.

Match preview

Since returning from the month-long break for the World Cup in Qatar, Groningen have endured a torrid spell of six-straight losses, which includes five Eredivisie defeats and a humiliating exit from the KNVB Cup at the hands of Tweede Divisie side Spakenburg.

If that 3-2 loss to third-tier Spakenburg was the lowest point in terms of embarrassment, then the inability to pick up any points against relegation-rivals Cambuur and Volendam over the past week can be labelled as the most-damaging moments of a difficult January.

Dennis van der Ree's men levelled the score on two occasions last time out at Kras Stadion courtesy of strikes from Johan Hove and American Ricardo Pepi, however - unfortunately for Groningen - Robert Muhren managed to net a 78th-minute winner for Wim Jonk's side - a goal which gave Volendam a massive leg-up in the fight for survival.

Groningen remain rooted to the bottom of the Eredivisie standings and are now four points behind Volendam who sit just outside the bottom three, and considering Van der Ree's charges have not tasted victory for several months, it looks set to be a massive struggle to stay in the division.

A major issue that has hindered Groningen's progression this campaign has undoubtedly been their defensive weakness, with the side conceding 40 times in just 19 league matches - the type of record that is often synonymous with relegation.

In stark contrast to their hosts on Sunday, FC Twente have not felt the pain of defeat since the start of October when goals from Orkun Kokcu and David Hancko secured Feyenoord a 2-0 success at Stadion Feijenoord.

That defeat in Rotterdam has been followed by an 11-game unbeaten run which spans across the Eredivisie and the KNVB Cup, meaning Ron Jans's men will be fighting on two fronts as they head into February.

De club aan de Maas were Twente's opponents last weekend and they managed to hold the league leaders to a 1-1 draw at De Grolsch Veste, with Joshua Brenet's fourth goal of the season cancelling out a first-half strike from Santiago Gimenez.

The Tukkers are currently fifth in the league standings, nine points inside the Europa Conference League playoff zone and just two points behind PSV Eindhoven in third place, with the Eredivisie having an extremely competitive look to it in the upper reaches of the table.

Twente have recorded 10 clean sheets in 19 league matches so far - the most in the division - and have also conceded just 12 times, fewer than any other team in the Eredivisie.

Groningen Eredivisie form:

L

L

L

L

L

L

FC Twente Eredivisie form:

D

W

D

W

D

D

Team News

Groningen lost a key player to injury as well as ground on their relegation rivals at the end of January, with 19-year-old Luciano Valente picking up a knock in the defeat to Cambuur - the midfielder is expected to be back at some point later in the month.

Van der Ree also has a number of long-term absentees amongst his playing staff, with Laros Duarte, Nordin Musampa and Paulos Abraham all having not featured since before the World Cup break.

Twente have a lengthy absence within their ranks also, with 36-year-old Wout Brama last appearing for Jans's side in that defeat at Feyenoord in October.

Dutchman Michel Vlap was substituted during the half-time interval against Feyenoord last weekend, but Jans has confirmed the player is fit for selection on Sunday.

Apart from the aforementioned Brama and defender Julio Pleguezuelo, Twente have a full squad to choose from as they travel to Groningen, however supporters will not be expecting too many alterations as their impressive unbeaten run continues.

Groningen possible starting lineup:

Verrips; Blokzijl, Chalus, Bech; Van Gelderen, Hove, Lundqvist, Oratmangoen, Dybvik; Suslov, Pepi

FC Twente possible starting lineup:

Unnerstall; Brenet, Hilgers, Propper, Smal; Zerrouki, Sadilek, Vlap; Cerny, Misidjan, Van Wolfswinkel

We say: Groningen 0-2 FC Twente

Groningen did not take advantage of their clashes with fellow-strugglers Cambuur and Volendam, and they now face tricky assignments against Twente and PSV in their next two matches as they desperately attempt to retain their Eredivisie status.

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