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

With their hopes of survival in the last chance saloon, Emmen prepare to take on Heerenveen at De Oude Meerdijk on Thursday.

On the other hand, Heerenveen's chances of a European finish currently lie in the balance, and there is no margin for error from here on out.

Match preview

For the second game running, Emmen were on the receiving end of a 4-0 thrashing as Groningen ran out convincing winners when the sides met on Sunday.

Alessio Da Cruz scored a brace in between strikes from Bart van Hintum and Paulos Abraham to inflict an 18th league defeat on Dick Lukkien's men.

Luckily for Emmen, none of the teams in and around them were able to capitalize on that defeat, leaving them still only a point from safety.

However, Thursday's hosts are running out of games to save themselves with just two fixtures left in the current campaign.

Emmen have already lost twice this term to the side they will be going up against next, and a third loss could spell the end of their top-flight status.

Heerenveen were involved in a share of the spoils for the second consecutive game as they played out a goalless draw versus Utrecht on Saturday.

Despite being under pressure for the majority of the clash, Johnny Jansen's men held on for what could turn out to be a crucial point for them.

De Superfriezen remain in 11th place on the log, four points adrift of Sparta Rotterdam in the race for the last European spot.

Thursday's visitors simply have to win all their matches, and hope that results elsewhere go their way with three teams currently ahead of them in the battle for eighth place.

Team News

Henk Veerman and Joey Veerman came on as second-half substitutes last time out after the duo completed their period in isolation.

The former scored a brace in the reverse fixture, and he will be looking to play a major role once again this weekend.

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.

Keziah Veendorp is set to return to the bench as Nick Bakker returned to the starting XI for the first time in three outings against Groningen.

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

Heerenveen possible starting lineup:
Mulder; Kaib, Van Hecke, Dresevic, Floranus; Kongolo, Schone, De Jong; Nygren, Van Bergen, Halilovic

We say: Emmen 2-1 Heerenveen

Emmen have it all do to if they are to keep fighting in a bid to stay up. They have stuttered in recent matches but were in good form prior to that. We are backing them to claim all three points, giving themselves a chance at redemption on the final day of the season.