FC Twente vs. Groningen – News and Probable Lineups

This Sunday afternoon at De Grolsch Veste, the race for European qualification takes the spotlight as FC Twente welcomes Groningen for matchday 24 of the 2025-26 Eredivisie season.

Both clubs will be eager to secure three points in this critical encounter as they aim to regain their momentum with the season nearing its conclusion.

Match overview

So far this season, Twente has encountered just four league losses—ranking third-best in the league behind PSV Eindhoven (two) and Ajax (three)—yet their campaign has been marred by an excess of draws. The recent stalemate with Telstar marked their 11th draw this season, the highest in the Eredivisie.

In a matchup against a team fighting relegation, John van den Brom’s squad expected to come away with a win from BUKO Stadion. Ultimately, they were fortunate to come back and earn a draw thanks to Marko Pjaca’s equalizer just seven minutes from the end of the match.

A win would have propelled the Tukkers to fifth place in the standings; however, they currently sit in seventh, four points behind Heerenveen in eighth place.

Although somewhat dull, Twente has managed to remain unbeaten in 13 league matches and will be looking to extend their streak against opponents who have not secured victory in the last 13 meetings in all competitions.

With six clean sheets in the past seven home fixtures, Sunday’s hosts have shown resilience in front of their home crowd. Nevertheless, despite a 5-0 victory over Heerenveen in their last home match at De Grolsch Veste, their attacking performance has frequently left something to be desired.

Groningen had an impressive start to the new year, gathering 11 points from five league matches around the holiday period and were firmly in the running for a top-eight finish. However, a recent downturn has jeopardized their continental aspirations.

Unfortunately for Dick Lukkien’s squad, they experienced their fourth consecutive league defeat on Saturday, resulting in a 2-1 loss to Utrecht—their first such streak since November 2024.

As has been the case in their recent defeats to Fortuna Sittard and PSV, Groningen let a one-goal advantage slip for the third time in four fixtures, leading to increased nerves should they manage to take the lead in Sunday’s matchup.

Competing alongside Go Ahead Eagles, Telstar, and Heracles—all battling against relegation—Trots van het Noorden have collected the fewest points in the last five matchweeks (three), causing them to fall outside the top eight, albeit only on goal difference.

Prior to their recent downturn, Groningen boasted the best defensive record in the Eredivisie with only 22 goals conceded and the most clean sheets, totaling seven. They will need to find that defensive strength again, as their attack has only netted 30 goals, the lowest total among the top 11 teams in the league.

Team News

Since November’s fixture against Groningen, Twente’s Taylor Booth has been sidelined and will not be available for the match on Sunday.

Mees Hilgers is also unlikely to return this season due to an ACL injury, and his teammate Ricky van Wolfswinkel is ruled out with a groin issue.

After playing only 28 minutes against Telstar before being substituted due to an injury, Robin Propper is a potential doubt for this match.

Groningen’s 22-year-old Tika de Jong has also missed the last four matches and will be absent again this weekend, joining Mats Seuntjens (groin) on the sidelines.

Midfielder Younes Taha is one to watch as he has scored in both of his last two performances, effectively doubling his season tally.

FC Twente probable starting XI:

Unnerstall; Van Rooij, Lemkin, Nijstad, Rots; Zerrouki, Van den Belt; Rock, Hlynsson, Orjasaeter; Lammers

Groningen probable starting XI:

Vaessen; Peersman, Janse, Blokzijl, Rente; Resink, Country; Schreuders, Taha, Van der Werff; Van Bergen

Twente has achieved victories over Groningen in their last four home encounters by a total score of 11-1, and the visitors head into this match on a downward trajectory.

While we anticipate a closely fought match, the home side is expected to have enough to secure the win.