**Heerenveen's hot streak meets NEC's draw-fest.** One team's on a tear, the other's stuck in neutral — this is your classic momentum clash. 🔥

Heerenveen have won three of their last five and look razor-sharp at home. NEC, meanwhile, have drawn four of their last five and haven't lost but also haven't found a way to *win* lately. The hosts have the tempo advantage here.

Key storylines:

- **Heerenveen's attack** led by D. Vente and J. Trenskow will test NEC's makeshift backline missing B. Nuytinck (ankle) and P. Sandler
- **NEC's defensive shuffle** under T. Storm and G. Brás in a 3-4-2-1 shape needs solidity; draws are fine, but they can't afford to concede on the counter
- **M. Linday and N. Courtens** form the midfield spine for Heerenveen — controlling tempo will be crucial against NEC's compact shape

Expected lineups:

- **SC Heerenveen**: B. Klaverboer, V. Zagaritis, M. Willemsen, S. Kersten, O. Braude, N. Courtens, M. Linday, M. Rivera, R. Meerveld, J. Trenskow, D. Vente
- **NEC Nijmegen**: G. Crettaz, D. Fonville, T. Storm, G. Brás, T. Chery, D. Geiger, D. Nejašmić, N. Lebreton, A. Thomas, B. Linssen, D. Tadić

Prediction:

**Heerenveen 2–1 NEC.** Hosts lean on their form and find the breakthrough; NEC grabs one on the break but runs out of gas.