Three points will be at stake when Heracles Almelo host NEC Nijmegen in the second round of the Eredivisie at Erve Asito Stadium on Saturday, 16 August 2025.
View our free Heracles vs NEC predictions below.
Contents
Heracles vs NEC predictions: Goals expected
Key stats
- Heracles Almelo’s last three matches went above the 3.5-goal line.
- At least three goals were scored in five of the last six encounters between these teams.
- NEC Nijmegen won four of their last six trips to this stadium.
Correct score prediction: Heracles 1-2 NEC
Heracles kicked off their campaign with a humiliating 4-0 defeat at Utrecht last weekend, while NEC Nijmegen are in high spirits after cruising to a comfortable 5-0 victory over Excelsior Rotterdam in their Eredivisie opener.
Interestingly, NEC have a 6-1-3 win-draw-loss record in the last 10 meetings between these teams and have won four of their last six trips to Erve Asito Stadium.
Taking everything into account, we are leaning towards the visitors for the win.
Pre-game odds and win probability: NEC Nijmegen are slightly favoured
- HOME: 7/4 (2.75) – 36.4%
- DRAW: 12/5 (3.40) – 29.4%
- AWAY: 29/20 (2.45) – 40.8%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Ahead of this skirmish, NEC Nijmegen are the expected winners at 29/20 (2.45). Teams with these odds generally have a 40.8% probability of winning.
Don’t forget to check out more of our best betting tips and predictions after you’ve dissected our Heracles vs NEC predictions.
It is also important to note that 10 of Heracles Almelo's last 11 matches and each of NEC Nijmegen's last five games went north of the 2.5-goal marker. Keeping in mind that three or more goals were scored in five of the last six clashes between these sides, over 2.5 total goals has an appealing look at 3/4 (1.75). That one has a 57.1% chance of landing.
Most recent H2Hs: An even contest
Recent meetings between NEC Nijmegen and Heracles have not been one-sided, as both teams have three wins apiece in their last six skirmishes.
Netherlands Eredivisie 18/05/25
Heracles
NEC
Netherlands Cup 18/12/24
Heracles
NEC
Netherlands Eredivisie 21/09/24
NEC
Heracles
Netherlands Eredivisie 03/02/24
NEC
Heracles
Netherlands Eredivisie 18/08/23
Heracles
NEC
Heracles Almelo preview: A couple of absentees
Heracles Almelo will seek to earn their first points of the league season following last week's 4-0 defeat to Utrecht as they welcome high-scoring NEC Nijmegen to the Erve Asito this weekend.
The hosts will be without long-term absentee centre-back Sava-Arangel Cestic, who is nursing a broken leg, while newly injured Mario Engels begins his recovery from a hamstring injury sustained in the heavy loss to Utrecht.
Predicted lineup: De Keijzer (GK), Der Kust, Mesik, Mirani, Wieckhoff, Scheperman, Zamburek, Bruns, Van Gilst, Limbombe & Hornkamp.
Netherlands Eredivisie 09/05/25
W
Willem II
1
Heracles
2
Netherlands Eredivisie 03/05/25
L
Feyenoord
4
Heracles
1
Netherlands Eredivisie 23/04/25
L
FC Groningen
4
Heracles
1
Netherlands Eredivisie 13/04/25
W
AZ
0
Heracles
1
Netherlands Eredivisie 06/04/25
D
RKC
0
Heracles
0
NEC Nijmegen preview: A clean bill of health
NEC Nijmegen were one of five teams that did not concede a goal in the opening round of the 2025-26 Eredivisie season, as the Superboeren planted five goals over the goal line of Excelsior, with Koki Ogawa bagging a brace.
With no new injuries for the visitors, Dick Schreuder is expected to stick with last week's starting XI for this game, as NEC aim to start their campaign with back-to-back wins.
Predicted lineup: Crettaz (GK), Pereira, Sandler, Verdonk, Ouaissa, Sano, Proper, Onal, Chery, Linssen & Ogawa.
Netherlands Eredivisie 11/05/25
W
Ajax
0
NEC
3
Netherlands Eredivisie 03/05/25
D
Willem II
1
NEC
1
Netherlands Eredivisie 27/04/25
L
Heerenveen
1
NEC
0
Netherlands Eredivisie 11/04/25
W
RKC
1
NEC
2
Netherlands Eredivisie 06/04/25
L
Sparta Rotterdam
2
NEC
0
Player to watch: Koki Ogawa
Koki Ogawa has been in sensational form, scoring four goals in his last four appearances for NEC Nijmegen. The former Yokohama FC forward is the joint-top scorer in the Eredivisie and will fancy his chances against Heracles Almelo.