FC Groningen vs Heerenveen Prediction: Both Sides Have Been Plagued With A Shaky Defense

For the 26th round of the Eredivisie, Heerenveen will make the trip to Groningen to lock horns with FC Groningen at the Hitachi Capital Mobility Stadium.

With both sides having had inconsistencies in their respective games, will either side be content with a draw in this match, or will they be aiming for far more than a point?

Let's have a look at the latest Netherlands Eredivisie predictions between FC Groningen vs Heerenveen, team news, probable lineups, match facts and up to date betting odds for you to consider!

FC Groningen

Form: LLWDL

The Trots van het Noorden have seen their form deteriorate since their demoralizing 6:0 road loss to PSV Eindhoven about two weeks ago. Not that it was any better before that loss, as they were on a nine-match winless streak during which they recorded two draws and seven losses.

With a 1:0 loss against title-chasing AZ Alkmaar in their most recent away game, they suffered their second straight road loss. Their previous loss was an away loss to League leaders Feyenoord with a similar score.

The only two positive outcomes they've had in their last five games were a 3:0 home victory over Excelsior and a 1:1 home draw with FC Emmen. The other three games all ended in crushing defeats, resulting in only four points overall.

They currently hold the 17th spot with 17 points, meaning they need four more points to avoid the drop zone.

Team News

FC Groningen will be without a number of players due to injuries, including Mads Bech Sorensen (broken hand), Paulos Abraham, and Daleho Irandust, who will not be available for selection.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 4-3-3

Verrips; Willems, Balker, Blokzijl, Van Gelderen; Hove, Duarte, Suslov; Manu, Pepi, Bergen

Heerenveen

Form: LDLWL

De Superfriezen enter this match after suffering a crushing 4:2 home defeat to Ajax Amsterdam. Goals from Pelle van Amersfoort and Sydney van Hooijdonk ensured that they would receive the sought-after consolation they needed to lessen the disappointment of dropping all three points.

While it is obvious that they are currently out of form due to their inconsistent play, the main worry is that they haven't worked hard enough to secure enough victories in their last five matches, recording only one win, three losses, and one draw, which has undoubtedly dampened their spirit of performing to the best of their abilities.

They have had a difficult time on the road, winning just one of their last five away games, a 2:1 victory over Cambuur, while also recording two draws and two losses. They have also struggled to play a rock-solid defense during that time, keeping just one clean sheet, which is an area of concern they should focus on going forward.

They currently hold the tenth spot with 31 points, are level in points with NEC Nijmegen in ninth, and are just one point out of eighth place.

Team News

Heerenveen is dealing with a slew of injuries in their camp ahead of this match, leaving Kees van Wonderen with few options for selecting his starting eleven.

Timo Zaal, who has a muscle injury; Andries Noppert, who has a hip injury; Sven van Beek, who has a torn Achilles; and Daniel Karlsbakk, who has an illness, will all be unavailable for selection ahead of this match.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 4-3-3

Mous; Van Ewijk, Bruma, Kohlert, Bochniewicz; Olsson, Al Hajj, Tahiri; Nunnely, Van Amersfoort, Sahraoui

Match Facts

• FC Groningen has only kept one clean sheet in their last five Eredivisie games.
• Heerenveen has not won in their last three Eredivisie games.
• Heerenveen has won two consecutive matches against FC Groningen
• When playing at home, FC Groningen averages 1.42 goals per game, while Heerenveen averages 1.17 goals per game when playing away.

Head-To-Head

In the last 55 meetings, FC Groningen has won 12 times, Heerenveen has won 26 times, and there have been 17 draws, with Heerenveen winning by a goal difference of 90-60.

Expert Betting Tips

With 50 goals conceded in 25 games (an average of 2 goals per game), FC Groningen has the third-worst defense work rate in the Eredivisie. In their last five games, they have allowed nine goals, largely as a result of their crushing defeat to PSV Eindhoven (6:0). Despite the difficult task ahead of them, FC Groningen will be hoping that their shaky defense doesn't cost them the match.

Heerenveen has not lacked for efficiency in front of goal, as they have scored in five straight Eredivisie games, but as their opponent in this game, their defense has been the root of their downfall and their inability to seize victories when placed in a favorable position.

De Superfriezen has been the dominant team in this match, triumphing in three of their previous five meetings with FC Groningen, with the other two games ending in 1:1 draws. In four of those meetings, both teams scored, and the same trend is likely to be expected here. As such, back both teams to score.

• Both Teams To Score - Yes for 1.75
• Full-time Result - Heerenveen for 2.55
• Total 2 - Over 1.5 for 2.39