Preview: Heerenveen vs. FC Twente - prediction, team news, lineups

Aiming to record a fourth league victory on the bounce, FC Twente visit the Abe Lenstra Stadion to lock horns against Heerenveen on Sunday.

The home side will be looking to bounce back from a defeat on the road last time out as they return to their own turf where they have already won twice this term.

Match preview

© Reuters

Twente kept their juggernaut rolling with a third consecutive win after defeating AZ Alkmaar 3-1 at the Grolsch Veste Stadium on Thursday.

Ricky van Wolfswinkel and Daan Rots scored in the opening 20 minutes to give Ron Jans's men a commanding two-goal lead before Jesper Karlsson restored his side's hopes on the stroke of half time, only for Dimitris Limnios to score the clincher in second-half stoppage time.

After picking up just one point from the opening three matches, the Tukkers have amassed nine points from the subsequent three matches and are currently sixth on the log.

Awaiting the Enschede-based club next is a clash against opponents who they have not defeated in any of the last six meetings between the sides.

However, Sunday's visitors held on for a point in both of last season's encounters and will be keen on going one better this time around.

Heerenveen suffered a first defeat in three outings on Wednesday as Feyenoord cruised to a 3-1 win when the sides faced off at De Kuip.

Gus Til and Bryan Linssen put Johnny Jansen's men two goals behind, but the deficit was reduced by Joey Veerman's 82nd-minute strike, only for Til to grab his second of the game six minutes later and put the result beyond doubt.

De Superfriezen have dropped two places down to seventh having been the only top-half team not to have claimed all three points in gameweek six.

Sunday's hosts follow up this weekend's clash with a trip to PEC Zwolle on October 1, while their visitors square up against Groningen.

Team News

Twenty-three-year-old Rodney Kongolo misses out through illness, while Rami Kaib is not expected to be in action for the home side due to a jaw injury.

Pawel Bochniewicz is also ruled out of Sunday's contest with a knee injury which he picked up during a pre-season friendly back in July.

Twente's duo of Vaclav Cerny and Jody Lukoki are ruled out with knee injuries and will both miss their side's trip to Heerenveen this weekend.

The visitors will also be without the services of Dutch defender Kik Pierie who remains without an appearance so far as he is currently nursing a back problem.

Heerenveen possible starting lineup:
Mulder; Dresevic, Woudenberg, Van Beek, Van Ewijk; J.Veerman, Halilovic, Madsen; De Jong, H.Veerman, Musaba

FC Twente possible starting lineup:
Unnerstall; Sadilek, Hilgers, Propper, Troupee; Brama, Zerrouki, Vlap; Rots, Van Wolfswinkel, Limnios

We say: Heerenveen 1-1 FC Twente

Twente have kick-started their season in recent weeks following a rough start and will fancy themselves to claim all three points in this one, but we are backing a share of the spoils with both sides settling for a point apiece in the end.