Sports Mole previews Sunday’s Eredivisie clash between Heracles and RKC Waalwijk, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Heracles will be seeking to avoid a third consecutive defeat when they welcome RKC Waalwijk to the Erve Asito in round 32 of the 2023-24 Eredivisie season.
Waalwijk, meanwhile, head to Almelo this weekend aiming to end a six-game winless streak and exact revenge on their hosts for a 2-1 defeat in the reverse fixture.
Match preview
Heracles were on the receiving end of a 3-1 defeat against PEC Zwolle when the teams went head to head at the MAC3PARK Stadion on Sunday.
Erwin van de Looi‘s men trailed to Lennart Thy‘s opener but dragged themselves level on the stroke of half time thanks to Marko Vejinovic before second-half strikes from Silvester van der Water and Filip Krastev decided the game.
As a result, the Heraclieden remain 14th in the Eredivisie table but still hold a healthy seven-point lead over the sides in relegation danger.
Coming up next is the challenge of an opposing outfit with little to choose over the last eight meetings which have yielded four wins apiece.
Having been recently beaten in front of their fans for the first time since January, Sunday’s hosts now set out to avoid back to back defeats on home turf.
Waalwijk had to make do with a share of the spoils following a 2-2 draw against FC Utrecht at the Mandemakers Stadion on Sunday afternoon.
Henk Fraser‘s men led 1-0 and 2-1 through goals from David Min and Richonell Margaret but were pegged back on either occasion by Can Bozdogan and Sam Lammers.
With 25 points amassed from 31 matches so far, RKC sit 16th in the standings, one point adrift of safety heading into the final three games of the current campaign.
Off the back of six defeats from their last seven away outings, Sunday’s visitors go in search of a much-needed victory on the road as they look to beat the drop.
Heracles Eredivisie form:
Team News
Heracles’ Sava-Arangel Cestic is currently ruled out with an ankle injury, while defender Stijn Bultman misses out with a knee problem.
The home side will also be without the services of Sven Sonnenberg and Emil Hansson, although the latter is closing in on making his return to action.
Nouri El Harmazi is Waalwijk’s only guaranteed absentee for this one as the 21-year-old continues to nurse a long-term shoulder problem.
Dutchman David Min has been directly involved in all of his side’s last four goals and is definitely one to keep an eye on here.
Heracles possible starting lineup:
Brouwer; Oppegard, Hoogman, Leerdam, Bakboord; Vejinovic, De Keersmaecker; Hrustic, Scheperman, Limbombe; Hornkamp
RKC Waalwijk possible starting lineup:
Vaessen; Gaari, Adewoye, Van den Buijs, Lutonda; Oukili, Roemeratoe; Lokesa, Niemeijer, Seuntjens; Min
We say: Heracles 2-1 RKC Waalwijk
Waalwijk have been in good scoring form of late but their defensive porosity has often let them down in matches. We are expecting an entertaining clash once again with the hosts just about emerging victorious in the end.
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