Vitesse play host to Heracles on Sunday afternoon knowing that victory could go a long way to getting out of trouble in the Eredivisie.
At a time when the home side sit in 17th position in the standings, Heracles are 13th, just seven points above their upcoming opponents.
Match preview
While Vitesse are generally known for competing for places in the top half of the table, their solitary aim this campaign is to remain in the Eredivisie.
Just eight points have been collected from their 14 matches thus far, each of their two wins coming away from the GelreDome.
When they were losing during the early weeks of the campaign, their defensive record was respectable enough, but 16 goals have been conceded in their most recent four fixtures.
Five goals were shipped in separate matches against Go Ahead Eagles and Ajax, while their last encounter ended in a 3-1 reverse at Fortuna Sittard.
Edward Sturing has since been placed in caretaker charge and this feels like it could be a pivotal game in Vitesse's season.
That view is formed on a trip to 16th-placed Almere City coming next and Heracles heading into this contest having won just one of their last seven games.
Coincidentally, that was a mammoth 5-0 success at Almere City on November 26, before John Lammers witnessed his team lose 1-0 at home to Sparta Rotterdam in their most recent match.
Despite that disappointment, positives can be taken from just one goal being conceded in two matches. In the previous five games, they have shipped 19 strikes.
Although Lammers will be wary of a relegation battle, Heracles remain just four points adrift of eighth position, highlighting the possibility of moving clear of trouble with victory on Sunday.
Team News
Vitesse will be forced into at least one change with Melle Meulensteen being dismissed for two yellow cards against Fortuna Sittard.
Nicolas Isimat-Mirin is in line to replace him in the centre of defence, while Ramon Hendriks could move inside to partner him due to Dominik Oroz also being suspended.
Marco van Ginkel may retain his spot down the centre of the attack, rather than in a midfield role.
Fewer changes are expected to be made to the Heracles XI, Lammers potentially going with an unchanged team.
If an alteration is made, Thomas Bruns or Abed Nankishi are most likely to be introduced in central midfield or on the flank respectively.
Vitesse possible starting lineup:
Room; Arcus, Isimat-Mirin, Oroz, Symons; Domgioni, Cornelisse, Tielemans; Manhoef, Van Ginkel, Boutrah
Heracles possible starting lineup:
Brouwer; Wieckhoff, Sonnenberg, Hoogma; Roosken; Keersmaecker, Engels, Ouahim; Limbombe, Sankoh, Hansson
We say: Vitesse 1-1 Heracles
With Heracles thrashing Almere City not so long ago, they will back themselves to record another notable win on their travels. However, despite their recent rut, we are backing Vitesse to earn a share of the spoils, the bare minimum that they can realistically afford if they wish to get out of trouble as soon as possible.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
