Sparta Rotterdam v Groningen: European play-off rivals separated by one point | OneFootball

Sparta Rotterdam host Groningen in the Eredivisie on Saturday, 31 January 2026 at Het Kasteel, with seventh facing eighth and just one point between them in the European play-off race.

Sparta Rotterdam hold the recent edge in this fixture after a 2-0 league win in October away to Groningen and a 5-2 KNVB Beker victory later that month.

Form favours the hosts: three straight league wins over Heracles, Feyenoord and Utrecht. Groningen's last three league games read a draw with NAC Breda, a win at Heerenveen and a home defeat by Fortuna Sittard.

Team news could matter. Sparta are without Vito van Crooy and Giannino Vianello, both injured. Groningen miss Mats Seuntjens (injured), Stije Resink (suspended), Tika de Jonge, Robin Kelder and Yénio Holder, all injured. Resink has five league assists this season, so his absence trims their supply.

Routes to goal may split. Sparta have kept eight clean sheets and average 46% possession, so they may sit compact and look for moments through Tobias Lauritsen, who has nine league goals, and Joshua Kitolano with five. Groningen average 52% possession, have attempted more shots and scored 10 times from outside the box, so they could threaten from range and by sustaining pressure.

A home win would move Sparta Rotterdam to 35 points and could nudge them up the play-off pack. An away victory would take Groningen to 34 points and see them leapfrog the hosts in the chase for European qualification play-offs.