Preview: Vitesse vs. Groningen - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors have already been relegated from the Eredivisie and are simply playing for pride at this point as the club begins to look toward next season.

Match preview

Vitesse find themselves sitting just above the relegation zone with two games left in the Eredivisie, but a single point would guarantee their survival for another season.

The team head into this weekend on the back of a good run, having only lost twice in their previous six outings, which three clean sheets throughout that run.

Vitesse's latest clean sheet took place during their most recent outing which saw them defeat Cambuur 2-0 with a brace from Bartosz Bialek earning his team an important three points.

Not even a red card for Carlens Arcus could stop them from winning that match which has set them in a strong position to try and retain their status in the league.

Phillip Cocu's men have been stronger at home throughout this campaign as well, and that is a run they will be hoping to continue in what is another important fixture.

For the visitors, there is nothing to truly play for due to the fact that their relegation from the division has already been confirmed.

However, while it might be mathematically impossible for the team to survive, Groningen will be aiming to go out swinging as the team enjoys its last couple of games in the top flight.

For Dennis van der Ree it will be about looking at his squad and assessing who he wants to retain to try and earn an immediate promotion back to the league, while the players themselves may have one eye on impressing for the upcoming transfer window.

Away form has been a serious issue for Groningen throughout the campaign though as the team have only won a single match on the road this season, which has been a sticking point.

That is something the team will no doubt want to change here, even if it is just to give the traveling support something to smile about following a miserable campaign.

Vitesse Eredivisie form:

L

W

W

D

L

W

Groningen Eredivisie form:

L

L

L

L

D

L

Team News

Cocu will be forced into making at least one change to his starting lineup this time out after Arcus was sent off in their most recent fixture.

This will likely lead to Alois Oroz getting an opportunity to feature from the first minute this time around, while former Chelsea midfielder Marco van Ginkel is set to be the general in the middle of the park.

Laros Duarte marked his return from suspension with a goal during Groningen's 3-2 loss against Ajax on Tuesday, and he should end up featuring again this time out.

However, it is unlikely that Ricardo Pepi will feature after he was replaced in the first half of that game due to injury.

Vitesse possible starting lineup:

Scherpen; Wittek, Isimat-Mirin, Flamingo, Oroz; Van Ginkel, Bero, Meulensteen; Kozlowski, Sankoh, Manhoef

Groningen possible starting lineup:

Leeuwenburgh; Schreuders, Balker, Sorensen, Musampa; Antman, Suslov, Duarte, Valente, Maatta; Kruger

We say: Vitesse 3-0 Groningen

Groningen have nothing to play for in this match and will likely be deflated after being relegated, which should lead to a routine victory for Vitesse.

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