Preview: NEC vs. Heerenveen - prediction, team news, lineups

On the other hand, the away side make the journey to Nijmegen this weekend aiming to secure a third straight league victory and keep the juggernaut rolling.

Match preview

NEC continued their recent upturn in form by cruising to a resounding 5-2 victory against FC Volendam in Friday's meeting at the Kras Stadion.

Rogier Meijer's men went into the half-time break with a comfortable lead thanks to strikes from Sontje Hansen, Kodai Sano and Sylla Sow before Rober Gonzalez and Lars Olden Larsen put the result beyond doubt.

Consequently, the Eniesee remain seventh in the Eredivisie table, five points clear of the teams just outside the last Conference League playoff spot.

Coming up next is the challenge of an opposing outfit who have won just one of the last 12 meetings between the teams across all competitions.

Currently on a run of seven straight home wins in front of their fans, Sunday's visitors will be confident of securing another positive result on home turf.

Heerenveen secured back to back victories for the first time this year as they ran out comfortable 2-0 winners against PEC Zwolle at the Abe Lenstra Stadion on Sunday.

Kees van Wonderen's men got their noses in front thanks to Anas Tahiri's opener in first-half stoppage time after which Pelle van Amersfoort sealed the deal midway through the second period.

With 31 points picked up from 24 matches so far, De Superfriezen sit ninth in the standings, one point shy of FC Utrecht in the battle for continental qualification.

Having netted seven times across their last two matches on the road, Sunday's visitors set out to put on another attacking masterclass away from home.

NEC Eredivisie form:

D

W

L

D

W

W

NEC form (all competitions):

W

L

D

W

W

W

Heerenveen Eredivisie form:

D

D

W

L

W

W

Team News

NEC's Bram Nuytinck is currently sidelined with a groin injury, while fellow Dutchman Dirk Proper continues to nurse a muscle problem.

Forward Bas Dost also misses out for the hosts due to a heart problem which has seen him fail to feature for his side since early December.

Espen van Ee is eligible to play a part for Heerenveen once again having served a one-game suspension in the victory over Zwolle last time out.

Anas Tahiri came off the bench to good effect in the aforementioned game and could be rewarded with a place in the visitors' starting XI here.

NEC possible starting lineup:

Cillessen; Baas, Verdonk, Sandler, Van Rooy; Hoedemakers, Schone; Sano, Borges, Hansen; Sow

Heerenveen possible starting lineup:

Van der Hart; Braude, Van Beek, Bochniewicz, Kohlert; Haye, Olsson; Walemark, Tahiri, Sahraoui; Van Amersfoort

We say: NEC 2-1 Heerenveen

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