This season, the Eredivisie is characterized by a wide middle group. For a long time, there was a gap between the sixth and fifteenth place in the Eredivisie that could be bridged with a few victories. Go Ahead Eagles is one of the few teams outside the current top-4 that has been found in the left column of the Eredivisie standings from almost the beginning of the competition. In recent weeks, Go Ahead has even been pulling away from its pursuers and might even start looking upwards. The team, led by René Hake, is reviving old times in Deventer and has a view of the best season in a very long time.
Historic away series for Go Ahead Eagles
Of the last five Eredivisie matches, Go Ahead Eagles managed to win three and draw two. In these five rounds, the Deventenarians gathered as many points as PSV and FC Utrecht, with only Feyenoord securing more points (13). Remarkably, all three victories of Go Ahead in this series came in away games. It was the first time since April-May 1995 that the Eagles won three away matches in a row in the Eredivisie, with the team only winning more consecutive away games at the top level once before, in April-August 1966 (7 times). Moreover, the current winning streak is the first time ever that Go Ahead won three consecutive away matches without conceding a goal outside Deventer.

Victor Edvardsen celebrates his goal against Heracles (07-10-2023)
A record-breaking season in the making
The results of the past few weeks certainly didn't come out of nowhere, as Go Ahead Eagles has been performing well throughout the season. Where this century has mostly seen them fighting against relegation, Hake's men have now, after 22 rounds, reached the magical barrier of 34 points that is crucial for many relegation candidates. In the club's history, Go Ahead had only achieved as many points after 22 matches in five of the previous 33 Eredivisie seasons (converted to the three-point system), with the last time being in 1983/84 (35 points). Last season, Go Ahead Eagles had their best Eredivisie season in 36 years with an eleventh place and forty points. They need just one more win to match last season's number of victories and only six points to reach at least the same total of points. With twelve rounds to go, this seems only a matter of time.
A season of purposeful attacks
Both in attack and defense, there are reasons to point out why Go Ahead Eagles is performing so well. First and foremost, their aim upfront is precise. Out of 316 shots from Go Ahead Eagles, 134 were on target: only the traditional top-3 had more shots on goal this Eredivisie season, while only N.E.C. surpassed Go Ahead in terms of shooting accuracy.
Shots on target
Team | Shots | Shots on target |
---|---|---|
PSV |
534 |
205 |
Feyenoord |
461 |
174 |
Ajax |
367 |
153 |
Go Ahead Eagles |
316 |
134 |
N.E.C. |
278 |
126 |
Sparta Rotterdam |
297 |
121 |
AZ |
310 |
112 |
FC Twente |
370 |
107 |
Goalkeeper performs at top level
At the same time, the defense of the Eagles is also solid, as only the current top-4 of the Eredivisie has conceded fewer goals. This is partly thanks to goalkeeper Jeffrey de Lange, who, among all goalkeepers with at least five matches, has the fourth-best save percentage, trailing only the goalkeepers from AZ, PSV, and FC Twente.

Jeffrey de Lange celebrates keeping a clean sheet against Sparta (22-10-2023)
Save percentage
Player | Team | Savings |
---|---|---|
Mathew Ryan |
AZ |
78,9% |
Walter Benítez |
PSV |
77,8% |
Lars Unnerstall |
FC Twente |
76,8% |
Jeffrey de Lange |
Go Ahead Eagles |
74,8% |
Vasilios Barkas |
FC Utrecht |
73,3% |
Nick Olij |
Sparta Rotterdam |
71,3% |
Nordin Bakker |
Almere City FC |
70,9% |
Jasper Schendelaar |
Pec Zwolle |
69,9% |
Crucial points at stake in exciting match round
With these impressive away performances, a sharp frontline, and a dependable goalkeeper, Sunday's visit to FC Twente could turn into a highly attractive match. Additionally, with a game between the fourth and fifth-ranked teams, AZ and Ajax, taking place in the same round, there are crucial points up for grabs for both sides.
Follow the Overijssel Derby FC Twente vs. Go Ahead Eagles live on ESPN this Sunday at 14:30!
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