Struggling Heerenveen welcome the high-flying Go Ahead Eagles this Sunday afternoon, as the Frisians attempt to stop their steady slide down the table under new boss Robin van Persie. Read on for our Heerenveen vs Go Ahead Eagles predictions.
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Heerenveen vs Go Ahead Eagles prediction: A tricky home assignment
Key stats
- Only one Eredivisie side has conceded more than Heerenveen's 23.
- Go Ahead Eagles have steadily improved, their current eighth position would represent their best league finish in over 50 years.
- Despite historically dominating this fixture, Go Ahead Eagles did the double over Heerenveen last season.
Correct score prediction: Heerenveen 1-2 Go Ahead Eagles
Despite Heerenveen being the bigger name, once having been Europa League regulars, and boasting internationals like Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Adries Noppert, not to mention the legendary Robin van Persie in the dugout, all signs point to an away win here.
Go Ahead Eagles beat Heerenveen twice last season, are in better form and are climbing the league table, having improved their position the last three seasons. Heerenveen have done the opposite.
Pre-game odds and win probability:
HOME: 7/5 (2.40) – 41.7%
DRAW: 17/10 (2.70) – 37.0%
AWAY: 13/5 (3.60) – 27.6%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
The bookmakers' expected winner in this clash is Heerenveen. Their odds of 7/5 imply a 41.7% likelihood of victory.
Feel free to take a look at our football betting tips page to check out our other predictions and tips!
Last five H2Hs: An even split
Heerenveen and Go Ahead Eagles are well-acquainted at this point, with 12 meetings since 2010. Of those 12, Heerenveen have won six.
However, things have been more balanced in recent times, with the last five consisting of two wins each and a draw. As mentioned above though, Go Ahead Eagles did the double over their hosts last season.
Netherlands Eredivisie 17/02/24
Heerenveen
Go Ahead Eagles
Netherlands Eredivisie 02/09/23
Go Ahead Eagles
Heerenveen
Netherlands Eredivisie 28/05/23
Heerenveen
Go Ahead Eagles
Netherlands Eredivisie 15/10/22
Go Ahead Eagles
Heerenveen
Netherlands Eredivisie 15/05/22
Heerenveen
Go Ahead Eagles
Heerenveen preview: Trouble in Friesland
There was much optimism at Heerenveen when van Persie was appointed head in the summer. Since his retirement in 2019, the iconic striker worked his way up the ranks at boyhood club Feyenoord, impressing along the way.
Things have not gone smoothly in Friesland though, with a 9-1 defeat at Alkmaar going down in infamy. The ship has steadied somewhat since, with two wins in their last three, but he will be desperate to correct course.
Predicted lineup: Noppert (GK), Braude, Bochniewicz, Hopland, Kohlert, Conde, Olsson, Trenskow, Brouwers, Sebaoui, Nicolaescu
Netherlands Eredivisie 10/05/25
L
RKC
3
Heerenveen
1
Netherlands Eredivisie 27/04/25
W
NEC
0
Heerenveen
1
Netherlands Eredivisie 19/04/25
W
Almere City FC
1
Heerenveen
2
Netherlands Eredivisie 12/04/25
L
Sparta Rotterdam
3
Heerenveen
1
Netherlands Eredivisie 04/04/25
W
Willem II
1
Heerenveen
3
Go Ahead Eagles preview: A historic high
Since promotion to the Eredivisie in 2021, Go Ahead Eagles have quietly established themselves as a very solid mid-table side, impressive given that they have spent much of their recent history in the Eerste Divisie.
Their current eighth place would be their best league finish since 1971, a remarkable achievement for the Deventer club. A win here would further consolidate their place as an Eredivisie club.
Predicted lineup: Plogman (GK), Deijl, Nauber, Kramer, Adelgaard, Linthorst, Llansana, Adekanye, Breum, Edvardsen, Edvardsen
Netherlands Eredivisie 11/05/25
D
PEC Zwolle
1
Go Ahead Eagles
1
Netherlands Eredivisie 04/05/25
L
AZ
3
Go Ahead Eagles
0
Netherlands Eredivisie 27/04/25
D
Almere City FC
0
Go Ahead Eagles
0
Netherlands Cup 21/04/25
W
AZ
1 (2)
Go Ahead Eagles
1 (4)
Netherlands Eredivisie 12/04/25
D
NAC
1
Go Ahead Eagles
1
Player to watch: Oliver Edvardsen
Despite a foot injury keeping him out of the start of the season, Norwegian winger Oliver Edvardsen has stepped up another level in 2024/25.
The 25-year-old had been going steady, with seven goals and an assist in both 2022/23 and 2023/24. But this campaign, he already has three goals and two assists, despite starting just two games.
The former Stabaek man is scoring or assisting every 51 minutes in the Eredivisie. He'll be keen to keep that record up against a leaky Heerenveen defence.