Eredivisie | Gameweek 34

May 18, 2025 at 1.30pm UK

Abe Lenstra Stadion

Heerenveen vs Feyenoord

Match preview

After Go Ahead Eagles claimed their first-ever KNVB Beker title, nine Eredivisie teams now have a chance of playing in Europe next season. Remarkably, seven of these teams are still mathematically in contention as they head into the final matchday.

Heerenveen currently occupy the final Conference League play-off spot, but it is a tight race, as they are level on points with 10th-placed Fortuna Sittard and only two ahead of 14^(th)-placed Heracles, setting the stage for a dramatic final day.

De Superfriezen could have secured their position by now had they not stumbled in their last two matches, suffering a costly defeat to relegation-threatened RKC Waalwijk last week, followed by a midweek loss to Go Ahead Eagles.

Robin Veldman's side now find themselves in a must-win position as they prepare for their final match of the season. However, they will be concerned by the fact that they lost 3–0 to Feyenoord in the reverse fixture and have not beaten the Rotterdam giants in their last seven meetings.

The biggest positive, though, is the hosts' impressive record at the Abe Lenstra Stadion. They are currently on a three-match winning streak and are unbeaten in their last seven matches. They have only suffered one defeat all season (W9 D6 L1).

Meanwhile, Feyenoord head into their final match of the season with little at stake, as their third-place finish has already been secured, guaranteeing them a spot in next term's Champions League qualifiers.

De club aan de Maas secured their 20^(th) win of the season in midweek with a professional 2–0 victory over RKC Waalwijk, with Igor Paixão and Ayase Ueda finding the net on either side of half time.

Robin van Persie has led his new team in ten league matches, winning eight. That dramatic late defeat to PSV last weekend is the only league loss he has experienced since arriving in Rotterdam at the start of March.

Van Persie is set to face his former employers for the first time since leaving, and while there may be a few pleasantries exchanged after the match, he will be fully focused on maintaining his perfect away record — he has won all four games on the road with his new team.

Recent Performance

Heerenveen Eredivisie form:WLWWLL

Feyenoord Eredivisie form:WWWWLW

Team News

Alireza Jahanbakhsh has been absent from the squad for the last two matches due to an unspecified injury. Recent reports suggest that the Iranian may have played his final game for the team, as his contract is set to expire at the end of this season.

Che Nunnely sustained an injury ahead of the midweek fixture against Go Ahead Eagles and may not play in this match, while Mickey van der Hart, Jordy de Wijs and Paweł Bochniewicz are ruled out this weekend due to injury.

However, Feyenoord will be able to welcome Givairo Read back into the squad for this match, as the teenage full-back has now completed his suspension following the red card he received against PSV last week.

However, the visitors are still expected to be without at least four players due to injury: Justin Bijlow, Bart Nieuwkoop, Chris-Kevin Nadje and the long-term absentee, Jordan Lotomba.

Possible starting lineup

Heerenveen possible starting lineup:

Noppert; Braude, Kersten, Hopland, Petrov; Trenskow, Brouwers, Smans; Kohlert, Lukovic, Gurbuz

Feyenoord possible starting lineup:

Wellenreuther; Read, Trauner, Hancko, Hartman; Targhalline, Moder; Moussa, Stengs, Paixao; Ueda