Eredivisie weekend preview: European spots still up for grabs
The Eredivisie season wraps up this weekend with European issues still to be resolved.
Last Updated: 10/05/13 8:49am
While Ajax's winning of the title was confirmed last weekend, the last two spots in the Europa League play-off are up for grabs and third place also needs sorting out.
Feyenoord are currently third and will stay there if they beat NAC Breda, thereby assuring themselves of a Europa League play-off.
Anything less and Vitesse Arnhem - currently fourth and headed for the third qualifying round - can overtake them by beating VVV.
Beneath them, FC Groningen and Heerenveen are joining the already-qualified FC Utrecht and FC Twente in the play-offs for a qualifying spot, but the former pair are vulnerable.
ADO Den Haag are able to overhaul either of them should they beat PEC Zwolle and one or both of the two lose, while a dramatic goal swing could let AZ Alkmaar in, results permitting.
Feyenoord missed the chance to secure a top-three finish last week when
they lost to ADO, but the damage had already been done by their failure to qualify for the Champions League.
"I'm very disappointed not to be in the Champions League, of course," said Feyenoord boss Ronald Koeman. "We have lost points in away games but are still ahead of where we wanted to be. We have out-performed our target."
Koeman's name has been linked with moves away from the Rotterdam club as a result of that, but he has no interest in leaving. "I have not received any offer and have nothing under consideration," he added. "I will stay at Feyenoord."
AZ at least know they face the league's bottom side, already-relegated Willem II, as they look for a goal rush.
Their difference of plus four is on contrast to the minus 12 of Heerenveen, but with their cup final against PSV Eindhoven set for tonight, it remains to be seen what state of mind they will be in.
Heerenveen face Roda and Groningen take on the champions, meaning ADO do have a chance. "We can only do our best and see what happens," said coach Maurice Steijn. There are no issues to be resolved at the foot of the table.
Willem II have been relegated and sign off with that home clash against AZ, while Roda and VVV are ready to square-off in the relegation play-offs.
In other games of no consequence, NEC meet RKC, Twente and PSV face-off and Heracles are at Utrecht.
