League-position context
Heerenveen rank11th
Excelsior rank16th
Heerenveen points41
Excelsior points33
Heerenveen: #11 · 41 pts · GD -9
42 pts off the top 2. 4 pts off the play-off line. 7 pts clear of the relegation zone.
Excelsior: #16 · 33 pts · GD -33
50 pts off the top 2. 12 pts off the play-off line. 5 pts from safety.
8-point gap between the two sides coming into kick-off.