Heerenveen v FC Groningen

Heerenveen remaining unbeaten in their last four matches – albeit against sides in the relegation scrap – means they have almost avoided a devastating relegation from the Eredivisie. The bottom half is so tightly packed that a win against local rivals Groningen could see them in contention for a European play-off place at the end of the season. I think that is very unlikely, but it has been good to see Heerenveen playing more like a team and they have a bit of promise looking ahead to next season under a new head coach.

Groningen will also be going in a different direction next season, but they have been pretty good of late. Danny Buijs is going to leave the Northern side in a good place after a tricky start to the campaign. Given that the visitors have looked the better team lately, the ball is in their court to avoid defeat in this derby. The last four editions of this fixture in Friesland have ended 1-1; maybe we’ll get a fifth! I will back a Groningen handicap because they will no doubt keep the game tight and I actually think they will pick up a good result for their travelling supporters.

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Vitesse Arnhem v Cambuur

At the end of 2021, Vitesse travelled to Leeuwarden and thrashed this Sunday’s opponents. I think Vitesse will edge a victory here and there should be a few goals to entertain the supporters in this low-stakes end-of-season affair.

Thomas Letsch said after his side’s 3-1 loss to AZ that he felt as though his team were unfortunate to lose and AZ only got the fine details right on their way to victory. With little to play for, I’m hoping Vitesse can let loose their rigid style of play, and Cambuur almost always give you a ‘both teams to score’.

However, Cambuur have failed to score in their previous two away Eredivisie games. They have slipped from almost certain top-half finishers into the bottom half. They won’t be relegated, but their slide has been concerning since that heavy defeat to Vitesse at the beginning of Winter.

Without a win in five, I feel as though it is Vitesse’s time to flex the strength of their forward players, who no longer have to juggle two games in a week. They will be a bit sharper.

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PSV v RKC Waalwijk

PSV looked a good match for Leicester on Thursday in their Europa Conference League encounter. The second leg comes the following Thursday, where they will want all of their best players fit, so I am expecting a bit of rotation from Roger Schmidt. Defensive midfielder Ibrahim Sangaré stood out for his combative performance, but his side will require a different kind of performance on Sunday to break down a low block. It was interesting to see Cody Gakpo – usually so impressive for PSV – so quiet; does he have the quality for the rumoured big-money move to Arsenal this summer?

As I have mentioned several times this season, RKC have a pretty good away record in the Eredivisie. They never know when they are beaten. They might be able to get under PSV’s skin if their thoughts are focused on Thursday, especially with Ajax nearly out of sight at this late stage of the season, taking the focus away from winning the league.

A final note on the Waalwijk side is that they have been picking up lots of points lately, and they are rarely beaten by a wide margin despite their lowly league position. In their last game with Utrecht though (which they drew 1-1), they hardly created any opportunities. Perhaps they will rely upon a big defensive effort in Eindhoven.

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Heracles Almelo v Feyenoord

Feyenoord (like PSV) will also be thinking of their crucial second leg on Thursday as they chase a European semi-final. I think some players will be given a rest because of Feyenoord’s relatively small squad.

Meanwhile, Heracles were just pleased to pick up their first away win of the season last time out. They held on for a bit against Fortuna and struck their goals at the right time. Left-back Giacomo Quagliata, who netted one of the goals in the 0-2 win, mentioned afterward that Heracles have been working really hard on the training pitch to make things right away from home.

I just think Feyenoord aren’t going to find Sunday particularly easy: perhaps without their best eleven; travelling to play on astroturf, and Heracles have a strong home record. It is a difficult match without the confidence of having first-choice goalkeeper Justin Bijlow behind you. Reserve Ofir Marciano has not covered himself in glory since filling in for Bijlow.

If you’re feeling particularly brave, I recommend a Heracles double chance, but my bet of the week would be a +2 handicap for Heracles. Even if Feyenoord do edge a win, it won’t be by a wide margin (in my opinion) and they will want to rest players late into the game when normally they would impress supporters by scoring three or four.

PEC Zwolle v AZ Alkmaar

PEC Zwolle continue to drop points at a crucial stage of the season. Their oomph under Dick Schreuder has been lost. They have been losing games by narrow margins, which must be frustrating for supporters when conceding just once has been enough to inflict the last three defeats by one goal to nil.

Unfortunately for them, I think AZ will turn up and win here. PEC will keep it competitive for long periods, but AZ have too much quality, for me. Getting knocked out of Europe will have left a bitter taste on their season full of growth. A 3-1 win over Vitesse last time out though will have restored some confidence, and AZ do tend to create and score well on the road.

I would say AZ are certain to score in this game. It is difficult to see PEC Zwolle taking part in a high-scoring game, but they are due a goal and their time is running out to get the wins to stay up. AZ will capitalise on any space left by the hosts, so I will plump for over 2.5 goals. 

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