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

After their eight-game unbeaten streak was brought to an end last time out, Emmen brace themselves up for the visit of Groningen on Sunday.

The away side have lost each of their last three games and still have work to do if they are to cement their place in contention for European football next season.

Match preview

Emmen were beaten for the first time since February as Ajax claimed a 4-0 win on Sunday, which confirmed their status as champions.

Jurrien Timber, Sebastien Haller, Devyne Rensch and Davy Klaassen were all on target as Dick Lukkien's men suffered their 17th defeat of the season.

Notwithstanding, they are just a point away from safety which makes for good reading given that they were rock-bottom at some point.

Sunday's hosts must now put that loss behind them and focus on their remaining three fixtures beginning with the visit of this weekend's opponents.

The most recent meeting between the sides was a 1-1 draw in March's reverse fixture at the Hitachi Capital Mobility Stadion.

Groningen's bad run of form continues as they were defeated for the fourth time in five outings on Sunday when they lost 2-1 at home to Sparta Rotterdam.

Abdou Harroui and Tom Beugelsdijk gave the visitors a two-goal buffer which was halved with three minutes left to play by Ramon-Pascal Lundqvist.

Danny Buijs's men are still on course to secure a European place, but they no longer have margin for error with Sparta bearing down on them.

With a clash against AZ Alkmaar set to follow, the importance of a win this weekend for the visitors cannot be overstated if they are to ward off the challenge of fellow European hopefuls.

Team News

Luciano Carty is a major doubt for the home side with a shoulder problem which has kept him out of action for the past five months.

Nick Bakker is expected to be sidelined for a third game running as the Dutch defender continues to struggle with a knock.

Keziah Veendorp has been the biggest beneficiary of Bakker's absence, and he is in line for a third consecutive start.

Arjen Robben was given a 30-minute cameo appearance last time out as Danny Buijs continues to slowly ease the veteran winger back into action.

The visiting side will have to make do with the unavailability of Gabriel Gudmundsson, who was forced off 27 minutes into Groningen's last away outing.

Emmen possible starting lineup:
Verrips; Cavlan, Veendorp, Araujo, Bijl; Moussa, Vlak, Pena; Frei, Adzic, De Leeuw

Groningen possible starting lineup:
Padt; Van Hintum, Itakura, Te Wierik, Dankerlui; Schreck, Van Kaam; Suslov, El Hankouri, Da Cruz; Strand Larsen

We say: Emmen 2-1 Groningen

With their survival hopes still hanging in the balance, the onus to claim all three points is more on the home team this weekend. We expect them to rise to the occasion, and get one over the visitors come the full-time whistle.