Early in the 2026-27 Eredivisie campaign, newly promoted sides ADO Den Haag, Cambuur, and Willem II sit at the foot of the table after four or five matches, collecting just one point each amid heavy defeats and poor goal difference. These clubs face the typical adjustment challenges of stepping up from the Eerste Divisie, where defensive vulnerabilities and squad depth often prove decisive in survival battles. Mid-table sides such as Utrecht, Telstar, and PEC Zwolle have also started slowly, while established teams like AZ, PSV, and Feyenoord have dominated the upper reaches. Relegation will ultimately hinge on form over the full 34-match schedule, with the bottom two dropping automatically and 16th entering play-offs.