The race to qualify for the promotion play-offs is set for an exciting finish in the Eerste Divisie. Soon, seven teams, six from the second tier and one from the Eredivisie, will battle it out for the chance to either remain or win promotion to the top flight of Dutch football. So far, only Willem II are guaranteed of a spot in the post season. As laid out by ESPN, there are a few variations in who will make the play-offs depending on how the final few games go.
Willem II sit third and on 62 points have a comfortable ride into the play-offs. The side were also awarded a play-off ticket thanks to being awarded the winning position in the third period of the league. As a reminder, the league is split into four periods, with the winners able to claim one of two tickets available for the play-offs. ADO Den Haag won the first two, and as they are already champions their ticket is voided. Their second period win saw the ticket handed to the team that finished behind them that period, which was SC Cambuur. During the third period Cambuur won the period ,so that was transferred to Willem II. Now that Cambuur have also been promoted, they will no longer require their ticket. That leaves one ticket left, with Vitesse currently leading the way in period four.
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Vitesse’s form certainly changes things. The side are currently in 12th, which would mean the side finishing in ninth would miss out on the play-offs. For clarity, Jong PSV being in fifth and unable to win promotion means that the team in ninth, rather than eighth, is the final play-off team. While some may see it as unfair that Vitesse are able to potentially win promotion from 12th, it is worth pointing out that they started this season with a 12 point deficit. If they were awarded those 12 points back, the side would be on 55 points and in the play-offs.
RoYet, Vitesse still needs to win this period to get into the play-offs. The side are level on points for this period with Willem II, who already have a ticket. Therefore, they just need to stay ahead of RKC Waalwijk and FC Den Bosch. RKC Waalwijk are only two points behind, while Den Bosch are further behind but have a game in hand. If they beat Jong Utrecht they will also close to within two points of Vitesse. None of these sides play each other in the final matches of the season.
De Graafschap also look set to play in the play-offs. The side are in fourth on 60 points with two games remaining, and insurmountable lead over those on the outside looking in. The side have been lead by the in form Reuven Niemeijer, who has 20 goals in the league this season. De Graafschap last won promotion in 2018, only to be relegated the following season.
Almere City, RKC Waalwijk, Roda, Den Bosch, Dordrecht and FC Eindhoven all have a chance. The latter are unlikely to make it without winning their final two games and hoping that Vitesse miss out. Almere and RKC Waalwijk should make it to the play-offs, while Roda would also have to lose both their final games to realistically miss out.
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For Den Bosch, finishing above Vitesse in the period form table is the surest way for them to make it to the play-offs. They are the one currently occupying ninth spot in the table and likeliest to miss out.
Last season, Telstar shocked Dutch football by winning the play-offs and earning a spot in the Eredivisie. The side look set for a return to the play-offs in a few weeks in a bid to defend their Eredivisie status.
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