Eerste Divisie Preview: Willem II Host Dordrecht in Crucial Playoff Race Clash
In a pivotal Eerste Divisie encounter, Willem II will host Dordrecht. Both teams are closely matched in the standings, vying for promotion playoff spots, making this result crucial for their respective postseason ambitions. Recent form indicates inconsistent performances from both sides, setting the stage for a tight and unpredictable contest.
Match Background & Qualification Scenarios
This Friday, the Eerste Divisie (also known as the Keuken Kampioen Divisie for sponsorship reasons) will feature a key match as Willem II from Tilburg host Dordrecht at the Koning Willem II Stadion. This game holds significant importance for both teams, as they are actively competing for promotion playoff berths. Willem II, having been relegated from the Eredivisie in the 2024-25 season, has a clear objective of returning to the top flight. As of December 2025, Willem II sits 8th in the league standings with 26 points. Visitors Dordrecht are close behind, occupying 10th place with 24 points. A victory for either side would be a crucial step in solidifying or improving their position in the competitive upper-mid table, potentially narrowing the gap to the leading teams and securing a coveted playoff spot.
Recent Form
Both teams have shown inconsistent form in their recent league outings. Home side Willem II has registered two losses, two draws, and one win in their last five league matches, including a 1-2 away loss to Den Bosch on November 28, a 2-0 away win against VVV Venlo on November 21, a 1-1 home draw with Emmen on November 15, a 1-1 home draw with FC Oss on November 7, and a 1-2 away loss to Jong PSV U21 on November 3. Notably, Willem II also secured a dominant 7-0 victory over Dordrecht in the KNVB Cup on October 30, which could add a psychological edge to this upcoming fixture. Visiting side Dordrecht's recent league form is similarly erratic, with one win, two draws, and two losses in their last five league games. Their results include a 1-2 home loss to Jong Utrecht on November 28, a 2-1 away win against Roda JC on November 25, a 1-1 home draw with Vitesse on November 21, a 0-0 away draw against Jong Ajax on November 7, and a 0-1 home loss to Almere City FC on November 3. Both teams possess offensive capabilities, but defensive solidity is likely to be a key factor in determining the outcome of this match.
Key Players & Injury News
For Willem II, striker Devin Haen is the team's top scorer this season, while Gijs Besselink and Justin Hoogma have been notable for their assists. Regarding injuries, Willem II midfielder Amine Lachkar is expected to be out until late January 2025 due to a groin injury, midfielder Jari Schuurman has missed 15 games with a knock, and defender Niels van Berkel is nursing a knee injury. For Dordrecht, Yannick Eduardo and Joep van der Sluijs are key goal scorers for the 2025/2026 season, with Nick Venema and Nicolás Rossi providing important assists. No new significant injury reports have emerged for Dordrecht.