Volendam vs Groningen – News and Probable Lineups

Heading into the 25th round of the Eredivisie, FC Volendam finds itself in peril facing off against a struggling Groningen at Kras Stadion this Sunday.

The guests have faced defeat in five consecutive league games after a five-match unbeaten streak, yet they will aim to turn things around against one of the league’s more competent sides, who narrowly stand outside the relegation playoff zone.

Match overview

Having remained unbeaten throughout February, Volendam was aiming to avoid a loss in the Eredivisie for the fourth consecutive match, repeating a feat from early in the season; however, Rick Kruys’s squad fell short against NAC Breda, who sit just below them in the standings.

While the Other Oranje hold a six-point lead over Telstar, Het Nieuwe Oranje are two points ahead of NAC, who are in the relegation playoff zone, a position they wish to avoid as the season nears its end.

With the potential of slipping into that spot, the hosts must aim to equal or outdo NAC’s result against Telstar to prevent falling to 16th place.

As NAC’s match unfolds on Friday, Kruys and his squad may find themselves in a position of having been outpaced by the club pursuing them.

However, supporters at Kras Stadion should feel encouraged heading into the weekend, with the team gaining seven points from their last three home outings, including a noteworthy 2-1 victory over likely champions PSV.

Chasing their fourth straight match without a loss at home, the Other Oranje may find themselves seven points and six places beneath their opponents this weekend, yet Groningen’s current losing streak renders them susceptible in North Holland.

Indeed, Dick Lukkien’s squad has succumbed to defeat in five straight Eredivisie games following a period in which they accumulated 11 points from 15 available.

The last of those successes was a 2-0 victory against Heerenveen on January 16; since then, the Pride of the North has struggled to secure victories, suffering four 2-1 losses to Fortuna Sittard, PSV, FC Utrecht, and FC Twente, along with a 2-0 defeat at Sparta Rotterdam.

Notably, during this current losing stretch, the team has struggled to maintain leads, as four of these losses came after Lukkien’s men initially went ahead, highlighting vulnerabilities in the team’s defense.

The recent outcomes place De FC at the bottom of the form standings over the last five matches, a stretch during which they netted only four goals while conceding 10.

This contrasts with their North Holland counterparts, who hold 10th place in the same five-match timeframe, improving their chances of survival before hosting a faltering Groningen side.

Even though the Pride of the North has triumphed in five of the last seven encounters against Volendam, the current dismal form of FC puts them at risk of experiencing only their second defeat in eight meetings with this rival.

Team News

Given that Volendam did not encounter any new injury issues during last weekend’s defeat in Breda, the absentees for the Other Oranje continue to be Anthony Descotte, Gibson Yah, and Henk Veerman.

Robin van Cruijsen and Brandley Kuwas have now matched Veerman’s tally at the top of the team’s goalscoring chart in the Eredivisie, and both players aim to extend their four top-flight goals this Sunday.

Even with Yah sidelined, Van Cruijsen and Kuwas pose a creative threat, demonstrated by their three assists, which they aspire to improve upon when Groningen comes calling.

While the away side’s form has dipped over the past month, Younes Taha has consistently contributed, scoring two goals and providing two assists in four of the five losses De FC has sustained.

With nine goal contributions now tied with Stije Resink, Taha could establish himself as Groningen’s leading goal contributor if he manages to score or assist at Kras Stadion.

Although Lukkien’s group is largely fit, the Pride of the North will approach Sunday’s match without the services of Mats Seuntjens and Tika de Jonge.

FC Volendam probable starting XI:

Van Oevelen; Ugwu, Amevor, Verschuren, Leliendal; Van Cruijsen, Kwakman, Kokcu; Ould-Chikh, Kuwas, Paywels

Groningen probable starting XI:

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

Volendam’s recent defensive fortitude at home and impressive win against PSV indicate they are well poised to exploit the psychological weaknesses of a faltering Groningen side.

Considering the visitors’ pattern of relinquishing leads, the Other Oranje should have enough to secure a crucial three points in their fight for survival.