League-position context
Excelsior rank11th
Heerenveen rank8th
Excelsior points40
Heerenveen points46
Excelsior: #11 · 40 pts · GD -15
39 pts off the top 2. 6 pts off the play-off line. 6 pts clear of the relegation zone.
Heerenveen: #8 · 46 pts · GD -5
33 pts off the top 2. 2 pts above the play-off edge. 12 pts clear of the relegation zone.
6-point gap between the two sides coming into kick-off.