Heerenveen, Netherlands (My Sportsbook) - Heerenveen will try to get back into the win column on Saturday when NAC makes the trip to Abe Lenstra Stadion in a matchup of top-half teams.

The home side took a four-game winning streak into Wednesday's match with Vitesse, but an 84th-minute goal by Nicky Hofs dealt the team its first loss since December 20.

The result leaves Heerenveen 15 points behind leaders AZ Alkmaar, and they will be without goalkeeper Kenny Steppe because of a back injury while both Geert-Arend Roorda and Mika Vayrynen are out with knee problems.

NAC is only two spots behind Heerenveen but they have a six-point deficit to make up after losing 4-1 to second-place Twente on Wednesday.

Manager Robert Maaskant's team has not won in its last five games, but much of their troubles can be attributed to a lengthy injury list that includes Tommie van der Leegte (hamstring), Matthew Amoah, Kurt Elshot (both knee), Rob Penders (hamstring), Edwin de Graaf (ankle), Tim Gilissen and Patrick Mtiliga (both groin).

NAC's next three games following Heerenveen are against bottom-half teams, which should provide opportunities to pick up points, but a win in Saturday's match might prove to be a lot to ask.

AZ Alkmaar will be trying to extend its nine-point lead at the top of the table with three more points at home against Willem II, while second-place Twente visits second-from-the-bottom Graafschap.

Third-place Ajax is winless in three games and looks to get back on track at Vitesse, while Sparta travels to Roda and Heracles hosts NEC.

PSV Eindhoven sits in fourth place and recorded a 6-0 win over Den Haag last time out. The defending champions will be looking for another big result when they visit last-place Volendam, while Den Haag tries to bounce back at Utrecht and Feyenoord plays host to Groningen.