Feyenoord play host to FC Twente on Sunday afternoon looking for the win that they realistically require to remain competitive in the Eredivisie title race.
At a time when the home side sit second and 10 points adrift of leaders PSV Eindhoven, the visitors are just five points adrift of their next opponents in the standings.
Match preview
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During the first half of the season, defending champions Feyenoord found themselves playing second fiddle to a PSV side that won each of their opening 17 matches.
However, for the first time this campaign, there are signs of a momentum shift, PSV being held by lowly FC Utrecht in their most recent Eredivisie fixture.
Just days later, Feyenoord were able to knock PSV out of the KNVB Beker, recording a 1-0 triumph at De Kuip, and it felt like a victory that has the potential to make a difference.
Arne Slot's side still need to take care of their upcoming fixtures to hold any genuine hope of chasing down a 10-point deficit before they travel to PSV on March 3.
Nevertheless, games such as this one will sharpen their focus, Feyenoord aware that maximum points will create a nine-point cushion in the race to seal one of two Champions League spots.
From the perspective of Twente, this game is perhaps coming at the wrong time, a consequence of suffering back-to-back defeats since January 17.
Joseph Oosting watched his side lose 3-1 to PSV in the cup before going down 1-0 at seventh-placed NEC Nijmegen last time out, their first league defeat in five matches.
With Ajax just six points adrift, Twente can ill-afford further slip-ups, although defeat here would not be classed as that in the short term.
All things considered, though, Twente possess a poor away record for a team that sits in third spot in the table. Just four wins have come from nine trips, including just one in five such encounters.
Team News
With changes having been kept to a minimum for the KNVB-Beker clash with PSV, Slot must decide whether or not to freshen up his Feyenoord XI.
Javairo Dilrosun dropped down to the substitutes' bench for that contest and is expected to return in place of Bart Nieuwkoop on the right flank.
Although Ondrej Lingr made an impression as a replacement against Vitesse last weekend, the Czech midfielder will likely be kept in reserve.
Oosting will make at least one change to his Twente side with defender Max Bruns having been sent off during the defeat at NEC.
With Robin Propper available again after suspension, he should act as a direct alternative, while Michel Vlap will be considered for a recall in midfield.
Feyenoord possible starting lineup:
Bijlow; Geertruida, Trauner, Hancko, Hartman; Wieffer, Timber; Dilrosun, Stengs, Paixao; Gimenez
FC Twente possible starting lineup:
Unnerstall; Brenet, Propper, Van Hoorenbeeck, Smal; Sadilek, Eiting; Rots, Steijn, Taha; Ugalde
We say: Feyenoord 2-0 FC Twente
The stakes are high ahead of this contest for several reasons, giving Twente more of a chance than they may have had in other scenarios. Nevertheless, we feel that Feyenoord will ultimately come through with maximum points, potentially with a clean sheet, too.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
