Preview: VVV-Venlo vs. Emmen - prediction, team news, lineups

VVV-Venlo host Emmen in the last game of the Eredivisie season on Sunday at the De Koel.

The home side are now confirmed as relegated, while their visitors, who currently sit one place above their opponents, occupy the playoff relegation spot but are only one point behind safety.

Match preview

VVV-Venlo were relegated on Thursday after losing 3-1 to the already-confirmed champions Ajax and results failed to go their way, meaning they will be playing in the second division for the first time since gaining promotion in the 2016-17 season.

De Godenzonen took an early lead through a goal from their left-back Devyne Rensch but Venlo were given hope in the second half after Ajax midfielder Kenneth Taylor was sent off having only come onto the pitch 10 minutes before.

However, the gulf in class between the two sides was evident as the 10-men continued to dominate the game with Sebastien Haller making it 2-0. Georgios Giakoumakis got one back for the away side but Mohammed Kudus made it 3-1 one minute later.

That result has made it 13 defeats out of their last 14 league games, with the other result ending in a draw, proving why Venlose Trots are second from bottom going into the last game of the season.

VVV will want to make sure they do not end the season bottom of the league and will be optimistic heading into the game against Emmen after beating them 5-3 in a thrilling game back in September.

However, Emmen are coming into this game knowing they are playing for much more than the hosts as Dick Lukkien's side will want to avoid finishing in the relegation playoff spot.

Guaranteed survival is completely out of their hands, with them not only needing to beat VVV but also being reliant on Willem II losing at home to mid-table side Fortuna Sittard.

Emmen come into the fixture in a great run of form with four wins in their last six and only two defeats in their last 11 league games, which has moved them out of the bottom two and above this Sunday's opponents.

Last time out they secured a 3-1 victory against Heerenveen, who ended the game with two red cards and conceded two penalties, which Sergio Pena converted before assisting Nikolai Laursen for the team's third goal.

Team News

The hosts will be without Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Meritan Shabani, with the attacking midfielder remaining sidelined due to a knee injury.

VVV-Venlo top-scorer Giakoumakis, with 26 league goals, will be looking to increase his tally on the weekend as he faces a side against whom he scored a hat-trick earlier in the season, and will want to impress since he is almost certain to look for a transfer in the summer due to his current side being relegated.

Emmen will be pleased that Luciano Carty has recovered from a shoulder problem which has kept him out of action for the past five months and he may be fit enough to make the bench this weekend.

After an impressive victory last time out, Emmen are likely to start with the same lineup on the weekend.

VVV-Venlo possible starting lineup:
Kirschbaum; Pachonik, Dekker, Graca, Schmitz; Janssen, Machach, Post; Crooij, Giakoumakis, John

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

We say: VVV-Venlo 1-3 Emmen

Emmen will come into this game with great confidence following Thursday's victory and will look to capitalise on an already-relegated VVV-Venlo side.

However, Emmen must improve their away form as they have only won twice in their last 29 away games. Both teams struggle to keep clean sheets and hence there is bound to be goals on Sunday.