NEC welcome Heracles Almelo to the Goffertstadion to contest a Dutch Eredivisie fixture on Saturday, 21 September. Read our Eredivisie tips for the encounter below.
Contents
NEC vs Heracles Almelo prediction: Home advantage could be key
Key Stats
- NEC beat Heracles 3-1 when the teams last met at the Goffertstadion in February
- Both teams scored in each of the two meetings between NEC and Heracles last season.
- Heracles are still winless after five matches of the new Eredivisie campaign.
- NEC managed to win two of their last three Eredivisie fixtures.
Correct score prediction: NEC 3-1 Heracles Almelo
Heracles conceded three goals in two of their first four Eredivisie fixtures and they shipped another three when they lost 3-1 on their last visit to the Goffertstadion in February. A repeat of that scoreline could be worth backing when the teams meet at that venue again on Saturday.
Pre-game odds and win probability: NEC are clear favourites
- HOME: 3/5 (1.60) – 62.5%
- DRAW: 16/5 (4.20) – 23.8%
- AWAY: 15/4 (4.75) – 21.1%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Ten-man NEC lost 2-0 at champions PSV last time out, though Nijmegen won back-to-back victories over Zwolle and Fortuna Sittard before that and they look like an attractive option at 3/5 to bounce back against Heracles.
Heracles have collected just three points in five games in the Eredivisie since the summer and the 15/4 underdogs could toil again in a tough test at NEC on Saturday. Head over to our free football predictions page for more analysis and tips.
Most recent H2Hs: NEC have had the upper hand
NEC beat Heracles 3-1 in the teams’ last encounter and Nijmegen have lost only one of the last five editions of this fixture in the Eredivisie since March 2017.
Netherlands Eredivisie 03/02/24
NEC
Heracles
Netherlands Eredivisie 18/08/23
Heracles
NEC
Europe Friendlies 29/07/22
Heracles
NEC
Netherlands Eredivisie 15/01/22
NEC
Heracles
Netherlands Eredivisie 29/08/21
Heracles
NEC
NEC preview: Roefs is still missing
Robin Roefs is still out of contention for NEC, while Kodai Sano, who was sent off against PSV last weekend, will sit Saturday's game out through suspension. NEC could move into the top four with a victory over Heracles.
Predicted lineup: Benitez (GK), Ledezma, Flamingo, Boscagli, Dams, Til, Schouten, Veerman, Bakayoko, Tillman, De Jong
Netherlands Eredivisie 28/09/24
D
Feyenoord
1
NEC
1
Netherlands Eredivisie 21/09/24
L
Heracles
2
NEC
1
Netherlands Eredivisie 14/09/24
L
PSV
2
NEC
0
Netherlands Eredivisie 31/08/24
W
Fortuna Sittard
0
NEC
3
Netherlands Eredivisie 24/08/24
W
PEC Zwolle
0
NEC
1
Heracles Almelo preview: Six players could be out
Jannes Wieckhoff is in the treatment room for Heracles while Jan Zamburek, Jizz Horncamp, Stijn Bultman, Sava Cestic and Nikolai Laursen are all considered doubtful ahead of the weekend for the winless visitors.
Predicted lineup: De Keijzer (GK), Benita, Mirani, Mesik, Roosken, De Keersmaecker, Scheperman, Podgoreanu, Zand, Engels, Kulenovic
Netherlands Eredivisie 27/09/24
W
Heerenveen
1
Heracles
2
Netherlands Eredivisie 21/09/24
W
NEC
1
Heracles
2
Netherlands Eredivisie 15/09/24
D
Almere City FC
0
Heracles
0
Netherlands Eredivisie 01/09/24
L
PEC Zwolle
3
Heracles
0
Netherlands Eredivisie 25/08/24
D
Willem II
1
Heracles
1
Player to watch – Rober
Spanish winger Rober spent a successful season on loan with NEC last season and his performances earned a permanent move to the club in the summer after Nijmegen trigged an option to clinch the deal.
Rober has started brightly
Rober has been in good goal-scoring fettle so far this season and has scored twice in his last three outings in the Eredivisie. The 23-year-old could be a goal threat again on Saturday.
