League-position context
Heerenveen rank8th
Excelsior rank15th
Heerenveen points46
Excelsior points32
Heerenveen: #8 · 46 pts · GD -6
29 pts off the top 2. 5 pts above the play-off edge. 14 pts clear of the relegation zone.
Excelsior: #15 · 32 pts · GD -39
43 pts off the top 2. 14 pts off the play-off line. 4 pts from safety.
14-point gap between the two sides coming into kick-off.