This Sunday's Eredivisie clash between Heracles and Almere City presents a vital opportunity for both sides to finally get their campaigns on track after slow starts to the season.
Despite a winless streak that now extends to 14 matches, the hosts will see this fixture as a chance to turn their fortunes around, especially in front of their home fans.
Match preview
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Currently sitting 16th in the Eredivisie table with just two points from four matches, Erwin van de Looi's side have struggled to find any momentum, with two draws and two defeats to their name in the new season.
The hosts suffered a 3-0 defeat away to PEC Zwolle before the international break, adding to earlier losses against PSV Eindhoven and Sparta Rotterdam, as well as a 1-1 draw with Willem II, leaving them with just two goals scored and seven conceded in a disappointing start to the season.
Offensively, Heracles have struggled to find their rhythm this season, with Juho Talvitie's goal against Willem II being one of the few highlights in a campaign where they have managed only two goals in four matches and created few chances.
Heracles' inability to keep clean sheets has been a significant issue, with their winless streak now at 14 matches across all competitions, making games against fellow strugglers like Almere City crucial for earning vital points and pulling away from the danger zone.
Their home form will be critical for whatever they are trying to achieve this season, as they prepare to face an Almere City side who are similarly struggling, giving Heracles a golden opportunity to pick up their first three points of the campaign.
Almere have struggled to adapt after a respectable 13th-placed finish last season. Their most recent outing before the international break saw them earn a 1-1 draw against high-flying Groningen, which finally got them on the board after three consecutive defeats.
The visitors' defence has been their Achilles' heel this season, conceding 12 goals in four matches, with a 7-1 thrashing by reigning champions PSV Eindhoven — where five goals were conceded in the last 25 minutes — highlighting their vulnerabilities, following earlier defeats to Fortuna Sittard (3-0) and AZ Alkmaar (1-0).
Offensively, Almere have also struggled, scoring only twice this season, with Kornelius Hansen's goal in the 7-1 loss to PSV marking their first breakthrough after consecutive blanks, but it came when the result was already beyond reach.
Almere have struggled against Heracles, with last season's 5-0 defeat still fresh in their memory, though their 2-2 draw in Almelo will provide some confidence as they head into Sunday's match.
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Team News
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Heracles face a challenging selection situation with several key players doubtful for the match. Midfielders Diego van Oorschot, Jan Zamburek and Jizz Hornkamp, as well as Stijn Bultman, are all uncertain due to injuries or unknown fitness issues.
Additionally, defender Sava Cestic is doubtful with a broken ankle and forward Nikolai Laursen faces a knee injury, adding to the team's concerns.
Baptiste Guillaume is expected to retain his starting spot for Almere City after finding the net against Groningen in their previous match.
Thomas Robinet is anticipated to be a key player in this game, with hopes that he will start finding the back of the net again after his impressive scoring form last season.
Heracles possible starting lineup:
De Keijzer; Benita, Mirani, Mesik, Roosken; Talvitie, De Keersmaecker, Van Kaam, Limbombe; Engels, Zand
Almere City possible starting lineup:
Bakker; Akujobi, Jacobs, Visus, Zagaritis; Balboa, Van de Kamp; Hansen, Robinet, Mattoir; Guillaume
We say: Heracles 1-0 Almere City
Heracles should have enough in the tank to edge this game with the home fans behind them, despite their poor form.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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