Vitesse Arnhem appear to be on course for a place in the Europa League, while Willem II are edging towards an immediate return to the Eredivisie.
Vitesse closing on Europa League; All to play for in deciders
Vitesse Arnhem appear to be on course for a place in the Europa League, while Willem II are edging towards an immediate return to the Eredivisie.
VVV Venlo will also fancy their chances of playing top-flight football next season after tasting play-off success on Thursday.
Vitesse Arnhem took a giant stride towards qualification for next season's Europa League with a 3-1 win over RKC Waalwijk in the first leg of their play-off at the Mandemakers Stadium.
Jeroen Zoet had to be alert to push a free-kick wide from Jan-Arie van der Heijden in the 19th minute and following the resultant corner Guram Kashia's shot struck a post as the Vitesse pressure mounted.
It finally told in the 22nd minute as Tomas Kalas' long-range strike, following another corner, gave Zoet no chance.
RKC needed a positive start to the second half and they got it when Krisztian Nemeth headed home a right-wing cross from fellow substitute Furkin Alakmak 10 minutes in.
Vitesse goalkeeper Piet Velthuizen then kept his side on level terms by keeping out Cuco Martina's header from a Sander Duits cross, and it proved a vital intervention as Wilfried Bony restored the visitors' lead in the 69th minute.
Kalas' pass did not reach Bony but the forward seized on an error by Cuco Martina to bear down on goal and beat Zoet in the one-on-one duel.
Zoet then kept out an overhead kick by Bony, but the Ivorian made it 3-1 with nine minutes to go when he headed home a cross from the left.
Deadlock
Willem II edged towards an immediate return to the Eredivisie with a battling goalless draw at FC Den Bosch in the first leg of their relegation play-off.
The winner of the two-legged play-off will compete alongside the elite next season and Willem will be the happier of the two sides ahead of Sunday's return on home soil.
The weekend clash is likely to be a more open affair with both teams erring on the side of caution at the Stadion De Vliert.
Den Bosch's Kevin Begois was the busier of the two goalkeepers with the hosts offering little going forward.
Narrow win
Danny Holla scored a late winner as VVV Venlo took charge of their Eredivisie play-off against Helmond Sport with a narrow 2-1 victory in the first leg.
VVV, looking to retain their place in the top-flight against a Helmond side hoping to earn promotion, went behind when Youssef Koubali broke the deadlock in the 57th minute.
Ismo Vorstermans levelled things with his 73rd-minute effort, paving the way for Holla to snatch the win three minutes from time.
