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

Both teams still await their first victory this term and will be keen to come away with all three points in this weekend's contest.

Match preview

Vitesse fell to a 3-1 defeat against Eredivisie newcomers Excelsior when the teams faced off at the Van Donge en De Roo Stadion on Friday.

Thomas Letsch's men found themselves two goals down inside the opening 20 minutes thanks to a brace from Reda Kharchouch before Nikolai Baden Frederiksen pulled one back just shy of the half-hour mark only for Kenzo Goudmijn to put the game to bed 30 minutes into the second period.

Geel en Zwart currently sit bottom but one in the league table, ahead of Go Ahead Eagles only by the virtue of having scored more goals.

Next up for them is the challenge of an opposing outfit with little to choose between the teams as the last eight meetings have yielded three win apiece and two stalemates.

Off the back of three straight home defeats, Saturday's hosts set out to turn things around in front of their fans and kickstart their league campaign.

Heerenveen played out a second consecutive share of the spoils following a goalless stalemate against Feyenoord at De Kuip on Saturday night.

Kees van Wonderen's men had their backs against the wall for the majority of the contest but they held on to secure an impressive point in Rotterdam.

As a result, De Superfriezen are 10th in the standings with two points from as many games so far ahead of this weekend's trip to Arnhem.

Saturday's visitors, whose most recent league victory on the road came against their next opponents, now seek to secure another impressive result in this fixture.

Vitesse Eredivisie form:

Vitesse form (all competitions):

Heerenveen Eredivisie form:

Heerenveen form (all competitions):

Team News

Sondre Tronstad received his marching orders in Vitesse's defeat to Excelsior last time out and will miss Saturday's contest through suspension.

Markus Schubert remains sidelined for this one, while forward Miliano Jonathans is also not expected to feature due to a muscle problem.

Heerenveen's Amin Sarr was at the double in the most recent edition of this weekend's fixture, making the 21-year-old one to keep an eye on here.

Ian Beelen has not played a part in any of the visitors' last six games and the Dutchman's involvement in this one remains uncertain.

Vitesse possible starting lineup:

Houwen; Wittek, Cornelisse, Ferro, Meulensteen, Arcus; Domgjoni, Bero, Manhoef, Huisman; Baden Frederiksen

Heerenveen possible starting lineup:

Noppert; Kohlert, Van Aken, Bochniewicz, Van Beek, Van Ewijk; Halilovic, Tahiri, Haye; Sarr, Van Hooijdonk

We say: Vitesse 2-1 Heerenveen

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