Eredivisie promotion race could cause headaches for a few teams going into final weeks

Eredivisie promotion race could cause headaches for a few teams going into final weeks

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.

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.