League-position context
Heerenveen rank11th
Excelsior rank16th
Heerenveen points37
Excelsior points29
Heerenveen: #11 · 37 pts · GD -17
47 pts off the top 2. 12 pts off the play-off line. 8 pts clear of the relegation zone.
Excelsior: #16 · 29 pts · GD -23
55 pts off the top 2. 20 pts off the play-off line. 4 pts from safety.
8-point gap between the two sides coming into kick-off.