Both looking to make it back-to-back successes in the top tier, Heracles and Heerenveen will clash at Asito Stadion in Almelo for an Eredivisie battle on Friday night.
The Poupers were narrow victors at the home of NEC last time out, whilst De Superfriezen were able to get the better of newly-promoted Groningen on home soil.
Match preview
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After a worrying five-game winless run at the start of their 2024-25 Eredivisie schedule, Heracles fought valiantly to collect their first maximum of the campaign on September 21, when Friday's hosts travelled to Goffertstadion, managing to earn a much-needed three points.
The Poupers enjoyed a flying start to the top-flight contest and fired themselves into a two-goal lead after 13 minutes courtesy of strikes from Mario Engels and Luka Kulenovic, meaning that Koki Ogawa's header near the half-time break was a mere consolation for Rogier Meijer's troops.
Following their maiden victory of the league season, Heracles have moved up to 13th in the Eredivisie standings, two points in front of PEC Zwolle, who currently occupy the relegation playoff spot ahead of basement dwellers Almere City and whipping boys RKC Waalwijk.
Making a return to the pitch for the first time this campaign, last season's leading marksman Jizz Hornkamp will be tasked with firing the Poupers to safety once again, with the club hoping to extend their stay in the Eredivisie into a third year following promotion in 2023.
Although their 2023-24 Golden Boot winner remains, Heracles suffered a major transfer blow during the summer window, with chief creator Emil Hansson moving across to England to join Chris Davies's high-flying Birmingham City in League One.
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After a year-long spell as an Under-19s coach at Feyenoord, Robin van Persie has taken his first steps into first-team management at the start of this season, although the former Manchester United and Arsenal great is struggling to get a tune out of his Heerenveen side.
De Superfriezen have enjoyed victory on just two occasions at the beginning of the campaign, but Friday's visitors did manage a positive result last weekend, when Groningen visited Abe Lenstra Stadion and returned home with their tails between their legs.
Due to the second-half dismissals of Marvin Peersman and Brynjolfur Willumsson, the visitors finished the game with nine men, but Heerenveen had already done their damage by the closing stages, with Jacob Trenskow and Ion Nicolaescu both finding the net.
Extending their unbeaten streak at Abe Lenstra Stadion to three goals last time out, De Superfriezen have moved up to 11th in the top-flight rankings, with a win at Asito Stadion on Friday enough to take Van Persie's troops above Feyenoord and into fifth place.
Team News
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Heracles are dealing with somewhat of an injury crisis at the start of this season, with the likes of Jan Zamburek, Nikolai Laursen and Sava Cestic all occupying places in the medical room.
The Poupers also remain without the services of Sem Scheperman, who suffered a knee injury earlier this month and is targeting a return following the October international break.
Last weekend's goalscorer Engels is a doubt for Friday night after coming off with a knock during the closing stages at NEC, meaning that Jordy Bruijn could be promoted from the bench.
Helping to limit Groningen to just one shot on target last time out, Heerenveen duo Nikolai Hopland and Pawel Bochniewicz should retain their spots at the heart of the Heerenveen backline.
Making a positive impact off the bench on the weekend, Daniel Karlsbakk will be pushing for a start, although Moldova international Nicolaescu is set to continue up front.
Heracles possible starting lineup:
De Keijzer; Benita, Mirani, Hoogma, Milani; De Keersmaecker, Van Kaam; Podgoreanu, Engels, Zand; Kulenovic
Heerenveen possible starting lineup:
Van der Hart; Braude, Hopland, Bochniewicz, Kohlert; Van Ee, Olsson, Trenskow, Brouwers, Sebaoui; Nicolaescu
We say: Heracles 1-1 Heerenveen
Collecting four points from their last two matches, Heracles are beginning to build some consistency and should be confident of beating Heerenveen on Friday night.
That being said, the Poupers' injury list is extensive and could hamper their chances of success, so we are predicting that Heerenveen will snatch a point in Almelo.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Carter White
