Feyenoord is nine points ahead of FC Twente and nine points behind leader PSV in no man's land. A week after the cup triumph, a point against Go Ahead Eagles is enough for the Rotterdam team to secure second place. Feyenoord will not have Igor Paixão available in Deventer on Thursday, while there is a question mark behind the name of Calvin Stengs.

After winning the TOTO KNVB Cup final against NEC (1-0), coach Arne Slot did not want to reveal whether he would choose Timon Wellenreuther or Justin Bijlow against Go Ahead. “We can conclude that we have two first goalkeepers,” Slot cleverly avoided questions about the goalkeeper issue. Feyenoord needs one point against Go Ahead to secure second place, so Slot will probably only make any changes after the showdown in Deventer. will implement.

No changes are expected in defense. The center will most likely consist of Thomas Beelen and Dávid Hancko. In that case, Gernot Trauner would have to settle for a reserve role. The back positions are held by Bart Nieuwkoop (right) and Lutsharel Geertruida (left).

It is unlikely that Stengs will start in midfield. The creative is a big question mark for the duel in the Adelaarshorst. Especially now that Feyenoord can afford to lose points with a view to second place, Stengs seems to start on the bench. Antoni Milambo proved his worth earlier this season and seems to be replacing Stengs. Quinten Timber and Ramiz Zerrouki, replacing Mats Wieffer, complete the midfield.

Slot has to make do without Paixão up front. The Brazilian has suffered hamstring problems from the final against NEC. Luka Ivanusec is the designated replacement for Paixão in the left winger position. Yankuba Minteh must provide a threat in the right front. The Gambian must deliver useful balls to striker Santiago Gimenez.

Go Ahead Eagles

Go Ahead is currently eighth in the Eredivisie and will take a huge step towards participation in the Conference League play-offs with a win over Feyenoord. A big windfall for trainer René Hake is the return of Philippe Rommens. “Everyone is fit for tomorrow's game, including Philippe. Compliments for this also go to himself and the medical staff. Philippe is also fit enough to start and will do so,” the coach revealed on the club website.

Probable line-up of Go Ahead Eagles: The long; Deijl, Nauber, Kramer, Kuipers; Linthorst, Willumsson, Rommens; Adekanye, Baeten, O. Edvardsen.

Presumed Feyenoord line-up: Wellenreuther; Nieuwkoop, Beelen, Hancko, Geertruida; Zerrouki, Milambo, Timber; Minteh, Gimenez, Ivanusec.

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