Two teams whose fates have already been sealed clash on Sunday afternoon at the Goffertstadion in the penultimate matchday of the Eredivisie season.

NEC Nijmegen have guaranteed themselves a place in the top six, ensuring they earn a spot in the qualification playoffs for a chance to compete in Europe next season, and Feyenoord are unable to move up or down the table with a second-place finish ensured.

Match preview

An impressive season for NEC Nijmegen has seen them climb from a 12th-placed finish last year to now guaranteeing themselves a place in the top six.

While a sixth-placed finish would be a fantastic achievement for the side that was relegated from the Eredivisie just three years ago, Rogier Meijer, who has engineered NEC's rise from the Eerste Divisie to the top half of the Eredivisie, will be looking to go one step further and match the club's best-ever finish of fifth.

NEC have been at their best in their home ground, picking up 28 of their 50 points at the Goffertstadion, and they will be relying on their home advantage once again in this one.

They have failed to beat Feyenoord in any of the last 10 meetings between the two clubs, last recording a victory in December 2015 when they ran out 3-1 winners at home.

One of those losses to Feyenoord came exactly three weeks before this game takes place when they met in the KNVB-Beker final, a match that saw NEC's wait for a first-ever major trophy continue as they were defeated 1-0.

Arne Slot's side have been a force to be reckoned with this year, only bested in the league standings by an outstanding PSV Eindhoven team that have lost just once so far.

While there is nothing remaining for Feyenoord to achieve this season, a second-placed finish already being guaranteed, Slot will be looking to make his potential move to Liverpool with a good run of form under his belt.

The visitors have not lost since a penalty defeat to Roma in late February leaving them unbeaten in normal time for 24 straight games, since a 2-1 loss to Celtic in December.

That run extends even further in the Eredivisie with their last loss coming at the hands of the champions in early December, while they last lost on the road to FC Twente in October.

Team News

The hosts are set to be without up to six players for this game as they look to push Ajax all the way for a potential fifth-place finish.

Philippe Sandler, Bart van Rooij, Yvandro Borges Sanches, Jasper Cillessen and Kas de Wit are all out with injuries.

Bas Dost is also set to remain absent with heart problems that have seen him fail to make an appearance since a 2-1 win over AZ Alkmaar in December.

As for the visitors, no fewer than four players are ruled out for this outing.

Bart Nieuwkoop, Mats Wieffer, Gjivai Zechiel and Quilindschy Hartman are all out with injuries.

NEC possible starting lineup:
Roefs; Pereira, Ross, Nuytinck, Bass; Hoedemakers, Sano; Rober, Chery, Sow; Ogawa

Feyenoord possible starting lineup:
Wellenreuther; Geertruida, Beelen, Hancko, Lopez; Timber, Zerrouki; Minteh, Stengs, Ivanusec; Ueda

We say: NEC 1-3 Feyenoord

While NEC are still fighting for a joint-best fifth-placed finish in the league and Feyenoord's second place is already guaranteed, Slot will be looking to extend his side's unbeaten run into the end of the season, and we expect the visitors to comfortably win this one.


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