Heerenveen play host to RKC Waalwijk on Thursday evening looking to end a run of three successive defeats in the Eredivisie.
While the home side begin the week in eighth position, the visitors are down in 14th place after losing four games in a row.
Match preview
When Heerenveen started the season with five wins from seven matches, there was genuine hope that the club could make a challenge for the league title.
However, just four points have been recorded from their last eight contests, leaving De Superfriezen cut adrift from the teams challenge for Europa League qualification.
To further complicate matters, boss Johnny Jansen has recorded a positive coronavirus test, leaving him unable to fulfil his duties on the bench for the foreseeable future.
His side followed that development by going 3-0 behind against Fortuna Sittard within 37 minutes, ensuring that confidence continued to drain away from this group of players.
While the upcoming schedule is generous to Heerenveen, Jansen will be aware that getting their first win on the board since November 1 will prove to be a difficult task.
A lack of belief is also a factor at opponents Waalwijk, who have lost each of their last four encounters in the Dutch top flight.
The latest setback came at home to fellow strugglers ADO Den Haag, and Fred Grim knows he is under pressure to deliver a change in fortunes as soon as possible.
With neither Ajax or Feyenoord on their fixture list until April 11 and just six points separating them and ninth-placed Sparta Rotterdam, there is an opportunity to make headway up the standings.
Nevertheless, a fifth successive defeat will leave the Waalwijk hierarchy with decisions to make regarding Grim's long-term future, aware that an extended run without success will inevitably result in a spell in the bottom three.
Heerenveen Eredivisie form: DDDLLL
RKC Waalwijk Eredivisie form: WWLLLL
Team News
Heerenveen delivered an improved second-half showing against Sittard on the back of substitutions being made during the second half.
That could lead to Jansen handing opportunities to Arjen van der Heide and Ibrahim Dresevic on Thursday night.
Grim will also make changes to his Waalwijk XI, which should include Sylla Sow being provided with a chance in the final third.
Vitalie Damascan is also pushing for a recall to the team with James Efmorfidis expected to drop down to the substitutes' bench.
Heerenveen possible starting lineup:
Mulder; Akujobi, Dresevic, Bochniewicz, Woudenberg; Kongolo, J.Veerman, De Jong; Van der Heide, H.Veerman, Van Bergen
RKC Waalwijk possible starting lineup:
Lamprou; Bakari, Meulensteen, Touba, Quasten; Azhil, Anita, Venne; Sow, Stokkers, Daneels
We say: Heerenveen 2-1 RKC Waalwijk
Given their respective losing streaks, do not expect this encounter to be full of quality. Nevertheless, Heerenveen have the better options at their disposal, and this should be the ideal opportunity for the home side to get their season back on track.
Top betting tip
Data Analysis
Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Heerenveen win with a probability of 57.36%. A draw had a probability of 21.8% and a win for RKC Waalwijk had a probability of 20.88%.
The most likely scoreline for a Heerenveen win was 2-1 with a probability of 9.91%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 1-0 (9.21%) and 2-0 (9.02%). The likeliest drawn scoreline was 1-1 (10.11%), while for a RKC Waalwijk win it was 1-2 (5.56%). The actual scoreline of 1-1 was predicted with a 10.1% likelihood.
