Eredivisie week 32

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

With AZ having wrapped up the championship last week, the next big issue to resolve is the runners up spot. A point still separates Twente and Ajax in second and third respectively and both have tough games on this week. How AZ perform now having claimed the title may have a major bearing on things, but it's unthinkable that any Louis van Gaal side would just turn up for any game. Even so, with Heerenveen - Twente's opponents this week - having something tangible to play for, you can't help wondering if this is the week that Ajax stake a claim on second and the Champions League football that comes with it. Twente also have suspension worries having had two men sent off a week ago. Ajax were routed last time out, handing the silver platter to AZ, but there seems little chance of a favour being returned. Heerenveen had six put past them by Twente earlier in the season but with Steve McClaren having up to half a dozen first choice players unavailable, revenge looks on the cards.

The big game on Friday sees Sparta host De Graafschap. The battle between De Graafschap and Volendam has been see-sawing away for a few months now. Sparta aren't out of danger and De Graafschap will see this as a chance to get off the bottom once again. Volendam go to Kerkrade in another proverbial six-pointer against Roda and it's Volendam who go into it with momentum. Heracles are just about out of trouble, but it's hard to see them getting any change out of PSV this week. If results go against them elsewhere, it'll be a nervy last two weeks in Almelo.

NEC and Breda are involved in what amounts to a play-off for the last Europa League play-off place this week in what promises to be a tight, defensive tussle. Feyenoord aren't out of it either, amazingly since they've been so poor all season long, and can further stake a claim by beating ADO, one of the few sides with almost nothing to play for. Vitesse and Utrecht have mid-table mediocrity written all over them and Groningen should maintain their European push by beating Willem II.