Heerenveen vs Sparta – News and Probable Lineups

On Saturday evening, two clubs aiming for European qualification will meet at the Abe Lenstra Stadion, with Heerenveen taking on Sparta Rotterdam.

Both sides are looking to recover from defeats in their latest outings, as Heerenveen suffered a 3-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven, while Sparta also fell to the same scoreline away at AZ Alkmaar.

Match overview

Heerenveen, energized by consecutive victories against Go Ahead Eagles and PEC Zwolle, seemed ready to achieve one of the season’s biggest upsets when Lasse Nordas scored to give them the lead against league-leaders PSV just before the half-hour mark last Saturday.

However, goals from Ivan Perisic, Myron Boadu, and Ricardo Pepi meant that Robin Veldman’s team left the Philips Stadion without any points, extending their winless streak there back to 2009.

FC Utrecht and Groningen also failed to secure victories, meaning that De Superfriezen’s only small consolation from matchday 24 was that their loss in Eindhoven did not impede their chances of a top-eight finish. They are positioned 10th in the Eredivisie table, just outside the European qualification spots on goal difference.

A victory on Saturday would see Heerenveen rise to eighth place, even if only temporarily, and although their 3-0 win in the reverse fixture last December should instill some confidence, the hosts have not secured back-to-back wins in this matchup since 2020.

Additionally, Heerenveen’s defensive vulnerabilities are a concern, having gone nine matches without a clean sheet—conceding first in six of them—and allowing 42 goals this season, which is the fourth-highest in the league.

After five consecutive victories in the Eredivisie, Sparta’s momentum has dipped recently, with Sunday’s defeat to AZ marking the end of a seven-match unbeaten run and extending their winless streak to three matches.

Maurice Steijn’s team conceded three goals during their defeat at the AFAS Stadion last time out and they cannot afford a repeat performance in Heerenveen, where they have been goalless in three of their last four contests.

Currently sitting seventh in the table with 37 points, De Kasteelheren are six points ahead of the three teams chasing them, but a loss in this upcoming fixture could see that advantage reduced.

Despite struggling in their last away match, Sparta have still gathered 19 points from their travels—surpassed only by three other clubs in the Dutch top division—and they will be looking to get back to winning ways this weekend.

With tough matches against Ajax and PSV approaching after Saturday, they will need a positive result to boost their confidence as the season nears its conclusion.

Team News

Heerenveen’s Levi Smans has been out of action with a knee injury since the season’s opening weekend and is not expected to return before April.

Nikolai Soyset Hopland is also out for the hosts due to illness, while Sam Kersten (muscle) faces a late fitness assessment.

Twenty-four-year-old Lasse Nordas has scored in each of his last three matches and continues to shine since his loan move from Luton Town.

Vito van Crooij is set to miss his eighth consecutive match as he recuperates from a knee injury sustained against Heracles six weeks ago.

Winter loan signing Milan Zonneveld found the net in his first outing for Sparta with a consolation goal against AZ, which might earn him a starting position this weekend.

Heerenveen probable starting XI:

Clover Jack; Petrov, Willemsen, Kersten, Braude; Van Overeem, Linday; Oyen, Meerveld, Trenskow; Nordas

Sparta Rotterdam probable starting XI:

drum; Quintero, Martins Indi, Young, Martes; Clement, Kitolano; Mito, Santos, Van Bergen; Lauritsen

Both teams have conceded six goals in their last three fixtures, meaning that neither will feel confident of maintaining a clean sheet on Saturday.

Considering their league standing and the home advantage, it’s up to Heerenveen to take the initiative, and we are predicting a tight victory for the hosts that would significantly boost their hopes for European qualification.