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RKC - Heracles
Netherlands Eredivisie - Mandemakers Stadion
This will be the first game back following the Eredivisie's winter break, and while it may not be the usual idea of a blockbuster match filled with quality, it's a clash that means a lot to both sides. That's because Waalwijk need to win this one to move out of the bottom three and throw their opponents into it at their expense.
Contents
Waalwijk vs Heracles predictions: Eredivisie relegation battle heats up
⚽ Total goals prediction
Over 2.5
⚽ Correct score prediction
2-1 to Waalwijk
⚽ Anytime goalscorer prediction
Michiel Kramer
The sides are separated by just one point and place in the league table, but confidence in a home win seems very high, even with both sides facing off in a shocking run of form.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Waalwijk clearly favoured by bookies
- HOME: 22/25 (1.88) – 53.2%
- DRAW: 14/5 (3.8) – 26.3%
- AWAY: 5/2 (3.5) – 28.6%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Waalwijk also have the slight edge over the past five meetings. Interestingly, those three wins all saw RKC keep a clean sheet, while beating the -1 handicap in the last two of those. As such, despite the home side being in the relegation zone, everything on paper points to a Waalwijk triumph.
Last five H2Hs: First meeting in eighteen months
Netherlands Eredivisie 05/05/24 Heracles RKC Netherlands Eredivisie 11/05/22 RKC Heracles Netherlands Eredivisie 26/09/21 Heracles RKC Europe Friendlies 30/07/21 Heracles RKC Netherlands Eredivisie 21/02/21 RKC Heracles 
The high incidence of wins to-nil potentially puts a lot of importance on the first goal, meaning this game is likely to be one of tension. But tension often leads to mistakes, so fans can expect a rather high-scoring game as both sides try to force the other into costly mistakes and pick up a much-needed victory.
Team news and form guide
Waalwijk: A must-win clash after just one win in eight
The third-worst team in the Eredivisie have one win in their last eight games, and will have pencilled in this clash as a must-win match.
Predicted lineup: Vaessen – Meijers, Gaari, Adewoye, Lelieveld – Felida, Oukili – Niemeijer – Lokesha, Kramer, Cleonise
Netherlands Eredivisie 10/05/25
W
Heerenveen
1
RKC
3
Netherlands Eredivisie 03/05/25
L
FC Groningen
6
RKC
1
Netherlands Eredivisie 25/04/25
L
FC Utrecht
4
RKC
0
Netherlands Eredivisie 11/04/25
L
NEC
2
RKC
1
Netherlands Eredivisie 06/04/25
D
Heracles
0
RKC
0
Heracles: Coming off the back of three defeats and only two wins since
Heracles started the season in a promising style winning two of their three opening league matches, but since then they have managed to win two further matches, which is why they are staring down the barrel of dropping into the bottom three.
Predicted lineup: Brouwer – Roosken, Hoogma, Sonnenberg, Wieckhoff – De Keersmaecker, Scheperman – Ouahim – Hansson, Sankoh, Limbombe
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
Our free expert picks: 2-1 to Waalwijk with Kramer finding the net
If the outright winner isn't tempting you, we have many more sure-fire free betting tips.
But this game still has plenty to offer. Alternatively, you could opt for the Draw/Waalwijk market at 23/5 (5.6) may be more intriguing, especially with it having a 17.9% chance of landing. However, you could also back the upset and go with Heracles to be winning at half-time only with odds of 14/5 (3.8) which has a more teasing 26.3% chance to come in.
Hot tip – Over 2.5 goals
- Only two of Waalwijk's eight home games have seen under 2.5 goals this season
- Heracles have shipped at least two goals in all but two away games across all competitions
Other tips
Waalwijk 2-1 Heracles
- Waalwijk have scored two goals in three of their four league wins this campaign
- Heracles have won just once away from home all season
Michiel Kramer to score anytime
- Kramer is the club's top-scoring striker this season
- The Dutch striker has two goals in his previous three matches
Player to watch – Micheil Kramer
Micheil Kramer has been a stunning free transfer signing for Waalwijk. Despite being 35 years old, he is still able to lead the line effectively, and a lot of pressure is on his shoulders to drag Waalwijk up the table with his goals. He's been an excellent servant of Waalwijk since scoring on the opening day of 2021/22, netting a total of 77 goals in the famous yellow and blue stripes.
An equaliser from the spot incoming?
Kramer has become something of a saviour in uncomfortable circumstances, with his last two goals serving as equalisers. Meanwhile, three of his four most recent goals have arrived from the penalty spot, contributing to an all-career success rate of 85.7% – 11 conversions from a possible 13.
