Volendam vs Heerenveen – News and Probable Lineups

FC Volendam, facing relegation concerns, seeks to distance itself from the drop zone as they host Heerenveen, who are in pursuit of European qualification, at the Kras Stadion on Sunday.

Both sides enjoyed notable wins in their respective matchday 31 fixtures and will aim to transfer that positive energy into this matchup.

Match overview

After enduring a five-game winless streak leading up to their visit to the AFAS Stadion on April 12, Heerenveen’s 3-0 loss against AZ Alkmaar was a significant setback. Following a 1-0 deficit against Fortuna Sittard last weekend, back-to-back defeats for the first time in 2026 seemed inevitable.

Nevertheless, goals from Ringo Meerveld and Marcus Linday in each half turned the tide, propelling Robin Veldman’s team into seventh in the Eredivisie with 47 points, above FC Utrecht.

Considering the tightly contested league standings, Heerenveen still has considerable work ahead if they hope to break a 16-year drought from continental competitions. However, their upcoming matches against teams battling relegation present an excellent opportunity to ascend into sixth place, particularly with AZ facing Twente and Feyenoord.

De Superfriezen have accumulated the most points in the last five gameweeks with 10, and only league champions PSV Eindhoven have outscored their 11 goals in that period.

Heerenveen’s comeback victory has reinforced their tendency to concede first—an occurrence seen in four of their last five matches.

In pursuit of their first 50-point season since 2014-15, Heerenveen now travels to Volendam, where they have enjoyed a five-match winning streak, including a 4-0 rout recently in February 2024.

After a streak of six matches without a win, Volendam visited the Asito Stadion to take on Eredivisie relegation contenders Heracles, seizing a significant opportunity to turn their fortunes around, achieving a 2-0 victory.

Under the guidance of Rick Kruys, the team remains just a point above the relegation zone and is likely pleased to have their future in their control as they enter the final three matches, two of which are against rivals fighting against relegation—SBV Excelsior in 14th and Telstar in 16th.

Having gone unbeaten in five of their six league home matches this year, Het Andere Oranje has proved challenging to overcome on their home ground, with Fortuna Sittard being the only team to claim an away victory at the Kras Stadion in 2026.

Volendam will sense a significant opportunity to create more distance from relegation perils this weekend, especially given Telstar’s difficult upcoming match against third-placed NEC.

Much like Heerenveen, who has scored 31 of their 55 goals in the second half, the hosts have also found greater success in attack following halftime.

Nevertheless, it’s crucial for them to start positively against a team that has led at the break in five of their last seven appearances.

Team News

Volendam will be without Dave Kwakman and Silvinho Esajas, as well as Benjamin Pauwels.

Gibson Yah left the field with an injury during his side’s match against Heracles, putting his availability in doubt for this fixture.

Having scored the decisive goal last time out, Robert Muhren now boasts four direct goal contributions in his last seven substitute appearances and could earn a starting role.

Andries Noppert remains sidelined due to a back injury that has kept him out of the last three fixtures for Heerenveen.

Injuries have also sidelined Dutch players Levi Smans (knee) and Amourricho van Axel-Dongen (thigh) for the weekend encounter.

Maxence Rivera’s participation is uncertain after he sustained a hamstring issue shortly before halftime in Heerenveen’s latest match.

FC Volendam probable starting XI:

Van Oevelen; Meijers, Verschuren, Amevor, Ugwu; Bukala, Bacuna; Descotte, Van Cruijsen, Ould-Chikh; Ferryman

Heerenveen probable starting XI:

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

While Heerenveen may be in better form than their opponents, Volendam’s resilience at home should not be underestimated.

Consequently, a draw is forecasted, with both teams likely to settle for a point come the final whistle.