Heerenveen v Groningen: play-off push meets mid-table momentum | OneFootball

Heerenveen host Groningen in the Eredivisie on Sunday, 18 January 2026 at the Abe Lenstra Stadion, with the visitors sitting in the qualification play-off places and the hosts aiming to close the gap after a strong recent run.

Groningen won the reverse fixture 2-1 in August and arrive sixth on 28 points, while Heerenveen sit ninth with 24. The margins are tight around the play-off spots, adding weight to this northern meeting.

Heerenveen's form has picked up: a 3-0 win at Heracles and a 2-2 draw with Feyenoord followed a 3-0 victory at Sparta Rotterdam. Groningen beat Excelsior 2-0 and Volendam 3-0 before drawing at Go Ahead Eagles and 0-0 with NAC Breda.

Both sides have absentees. Heerenveen list Vaclav Sejk, Ringo Meerveld, Hristiyan Ivaylov Petrov and Levi Smans as injured. Groningen are without Mats Seuntjens and Yénio Holder.

Routes to goal could hinge on sharp forwards against organised defences. Heerenveen have scored 31 league goals, led by Jacob Trenskow and Dylan Vente with six each, but have yet to score from a set piece. Groningen have conceded only 22, kept six clean sheets, and carry a threat through Brynjolfur Willumsson, who has six league goals, with supply from Stije Resink on five assists. For the hosts, Luuk Brouwers has four assists.

A home win would take Heerenveen to 27 points and could pull them closer to the qualification play-off places. An away victory would move Groningen to 31 points and may strengthen their grip on the play-off positions.