Tilburg, Netherlands (My Sportsbook) - Twente is in second place in the Eredivisie table and the club is on a 16-game unbeaten run in league play, yet they trail leaders AZ Alkmaar by 11 points with just eight games remaining.

The problem is that AZ is on an even more impressive run in the league, putting together a string of 24 games without a loss.

At this point it looks like Steve McClaren's side will have a hard time catching AZ, but they must focus on finishing in second, which would bring them a spot in the qualifying round of the Champions League.

Twente travels to Willem II on Saturday with the hopes of extending their lead over third-place Ajax to six points ahead of the Amsterdam side's home contest on Sunday with Graafschap.

And while Willem II just snapped a six-game losing skid with a 1-0 win over Sparta last time out, McClaren feels as though the result will give Willem confidence, making Saturday's match dangerous.

"The win will give them the necessary self confidence," McClaren said. "They recorded a good victory at Sparta, and the team needed that to take off some of the pressure. Willem II will have nothing to lose on Saturday. This ensures that it is a dangerous game indeed. We well be on our guard."

AZ can take another step towards securing the title with a win at Utrecht, while fourth-place Heerenveen is also in the running for the second spot and hosts Sparta.

PSV Eindhoven is coming off of a 1-1 draw at Twente last time out and they visit Feyenoord, Vitesse hosts NAC, last-place Volendam visits Heracles, and Den Haag entertains NEC.