Eredivisie week 26

Friday:
Sparta v Willem II
Saturday:
Heerenveen v Groningen
De Graafschap v Heracles
Twente v PSV
Sunday:
Den Haag v Ajax
Volendam v Vitesse
NAC v Feyenoord
Roda v Utrecht
NEC v AZ

Game of the week is at the Arke Stadion in Enschede where PSV roll into town to take on FC Twente. The Eindhoveners were undone by Heerenveen last week after a good run while Twente continue to grind the results out. Steve McClaren doesn't have the biggest squad to work with, but his key players have all remained fit and, so far at least, they've not missed Rob Wielaert too badly at the back. They remain a difficult side to break down, though the likes of Ibrahim Afellay, Nordin Amrabat and Ola Toivonen will test that theory, while remaining dangerous on the counter. This should make for an end-to-end game.

AZ go to Nijmegen still only having dropped points on one occasion since mid-November. Basically, the Eredivisie is just ticking off the games until they hand over the trophy. They shouldn't have an issue here. NEC are a tidy side, but not one that's going to threaten AZ's long unbeaten run. Should PSV do them a favour, Ajax can go back second with a win over Den Haag who need the points to stave off relegation fears. Jan Vertonghen won't play for the Amsterdammers having torn a hamstring in last week's unconvincing win over Utrecht and that's a blow as the young Belgian - an imposing figure at the back is the 21-year old - has been in superb form lately. Heerenveen are looking good at the moment and have a home game against Groningen who have just dropped out of the picture at the top end lately. The Abe Lenstra (capacity larger than the town itself, fact fans) is proving quite the fortress for the Frieslanders and they beat a sorry NEC 3-1 in the cup in midweek. Groningen have had to face up to two of the form sides in the league these last couple of weeks, but need a win here to maintain a push for Europe.

Friday's game sees Sparta take on Willem II. The Tilburgers have been awful recently and Sparta not much better. A win for either side here sees them pull away from immediate danger and Willem II's form suggests it won't be them if there is to be a winner. Heracles walloped Willem II last week to pull themselves out of the drop zone and they can put more distance between them and the bottom three by beating De Graafschap at De Vijverberg. And they will. Well, they should, at least, and if they do, Volendam can finally move off the bottom if they overcome Vitesse at the Kras. Vitesse are no pushovers with Nicky Hofs in particular playing very well indeed, but Volendam have been hard to beat at home since the break and I fancy them to get something out of this one.

A few points here and there have suddenly pulled Feyenoord to seven points clear of immediate danger and they go to Breda this week where their recent revival - such that it is - will get more of a test than it's had lately. NAC are chasing European football and they've sort of sidled up into that position without anyone noticing. They play decent football with no stars. Basically, it's their work ethic that's got them into the position, but a lack of quality in key areas will stymie them at some point. Finally, Utrecht travel to Kerkrade to face Roda JC and in need of points to maintain their own European ambition. Roda are now a feature of the bottom three and Utrecht will be short priced to win this.