Highlighted: The battle at the bottom is tighter than ever
While the fight for the title and European spots grabs most of the attention, the battle in the bottom half of the Eredivisie is just as intense. The margins are razor-thin—one week a team is fighting relegation, and with two wins, they could suddenly be in the race for a European play-off spot. This weekend, key clashes such as NAC Breda vs. Sparta Rotterdam and Fortuna Sittard vs. Heracles Almelo could have major implications, as these teams are separated by the slimmest of margins.
The bottom half is wide open
The gap between eighth-placed sc Heerenveen and Sparta Rotterdam in 16th is just seven points. Even more remarkably, no team in between is more than a single point apart from the one above or below them. Looking at Eredivisie history, this is only the fourth time ever that, with ten games to go, the difference between eighth and 16th place has been this small.
Form is everything in the survival battle
With such fine margins, the next few weeks will be crucial. A team that seems safe today could suddenly find itself in trouble. In that sense, Heracles Almelo will take confidence from their strong form. So far in 2024, only Ajax (21 points) have collected more points than Heracles (13, the same as Go Ahead Eagles). FC Groningen (12) and Sparta Rotterdam (11) have also made a strong start to the year.
At the other end of the scale, NAC Breda, Fortuna Sittard, and Willem II have reason to worry. Based on results in 2024, they occupy the bottom three spots, with just five, four, and two points, respectively.
| Team | Point after winterbreak |
|---|---|
|
Heracles Almelo |
13 |
|
FC Groningen |
12 |
|
Sparta Rotterdam |
11 |
|
sc Heerenveen |
9 |
|
N.E.C. |
9 |
|
PEC Zwolle |
8 |
|
NAC Breda |
5 |
|
Fortuna Sittard |
4 |
|
Willem II |
2 |
Sparta on the rise, NAC struggling for goals
Sparta Rotterdam seem to be finding their feet. The Rotterdammers have picked up almost as many points in their seven matches in 2025 (11) as they did in the entire first half of the season before the winter break (12 in 17 matches). Even more promising is their attacking output—they scored four goals in their last match, something they hadn’t managed all season. In fact, across their previous 23 league games, they had never scored more than twice (19 goals in total).
Their upcoming opponents, NAC Breda, are having the opposite problem. Goals have been hard to come by, with the team failing to score in any of their last three Eredivisie matches. Friday’s showdown will be crucial for both sides.
ROTTERDAM, 2-2-2025, Stadion Het Kasteel – Sparta forward Tobias Lauritsen celebrates his 1-0 goal in the relegation battle against Willem II.
Fortuna inconsistent, Heracles on form
On Saturday, Fortuna Sittard and Heracles Almelo go head-to-head in another key battle. As mentioned earlier, Heracles have hit their stride, while Fortuna have struggled for consistency. They did beat RKC Waalwijk last weekend, but their home form has been a major concern—losing each of their last three matches on home soil.
If they suffer another defeat this weekend, Fortuna will equal an unwanted club record. The last time they lost four consecutive home matches in a single Eredivisie season was between August and October 2000.
ALMELO, 07-12-2024, Stadion Asito – Heracles Almelo player Kulenovic scores the 1-0 during their home game against Fortuna Sittard (2-2).
The bottom half is on edge: who will keep their cool?
The relegation battle is as unpredictable as ever. Ten clubs are still unsure whether they will be playing in the Eredivisie next season. Who will crumble under pressure, and who will climb towards safety or even the play-offs? The next few weeks will be decisive.🔥 Don’t miss a moment of Matchweek 25—watch all the action live on ESPN Netherlands or check your local broadcaster! 🎥⚽
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