Heracles vs Groningen
Match recap
Groningen beat Heracles 2–1 in their Eredivisie fixture. van Gilst scored for Heracles; van der Werff and Land replied for Groningen. Expected-goals data put the chance balance at 0.64 for Heracles versus 1.19 for Groningen. Heracles sit 18th in the Eredivisie table while Groningen are 9th.
Analysis
As the Eredivisie season draws to a close, Heracles host Groningen in what promises to be a tightly contested match. With both teams eager to finish on a high note, the clash offers plenty of intrigue.
Heracles sit precariously at 18th with just 19 points, struggling all season with a leaky defence conceding 83 goals. Meanwhile, Groningen enjoy a comfortable 9th place with 45 points and a positive goal difference, reflecting their superior form and consistency.
Groningen's attacking prowess, led by Jizz Hornkamp's 10 goals this season, contrasts sharply with Heracles' scoring woes, having failed to find the net in four of their last five home games. Midfield maestro Ajdin Hrustić's creativity further tilts the balance, exploiting Heracles' defensive frailties. The statistical edge and recent form suggest Groningen will take an early lead, likely heading into halftime 2-0.
Prediction
Expect Groningen to maintain their advantage into the second half, with Heracles managing a consolation goal late on. The predicted final score is 2-1 to Groningen, supported by an 85% confidence level. The match should see around four cards, reflecting a competitive but fair contest.
Outcome probability
Key Insights
Groningen's attacking midfield creativity vs Heracles' weak defense
Groningen's midfielders like Hrustić and van der Werff excel in key passes, exploiting Heracles' poor defensive record (83 goals conceded).
Hornkamp's scoring form boosts Groningen's goal potential
Hornkamp's 10 goals and high shot conversion rate give Groningen a clear edge in attack against Heracles' leaky defense.
Groningen's recent scoring streak contrasts Heracles' scoring struggles
Groningen scored in 4 of last 5 matches away, while Heracles failed to score in 4 of last 5 home games.
No significant injuries affecting key players
Both teams have no reported injuries, so full squads expected, maintaining tactical stability.
Key Takeaways
In summary, Groningen's superior season performance and key players' form make them favourites to edge out Heracles in this season finale. Heracles will need a miracle to overturn the odds, but football is never short of surprises.
- Heracles and Groningen have an even head-to-head record with 8 wins each and 3 draws in 19 meetings.
- Groningen currently rank 9th with 45 points, significantly ahead of Heracles in 18th with 19 points.
- Groningen have a positive goal difference (+3) compared to Heracles' -49 this season.
- Jizz Hornkamp is Groningen's top scorer with 10 goals in 15 appearances, showcasing excellent form.
- Ajdin Hrustić leads Groningen's creativity with 7 assists and high key passes per game.
- Heracles have conceded 83 goals this season, the worst defensive record in the league.
- Groningen have scored in 4 of their last 5 away matches, while Heracles failed to score in 4 of their last 5 home games.
- The predicted total number of cards in the match is 4, indicating a competitive encounter.
Player Insights
Standout players Fipster expects to impact the match — curated highlights, not full squad lists
Home — Heracles
Away — Groningen
Form as the teams went into this match — excludes this result and anything since.
Team Comparison
Season shape — attack, defence, form, clean sheets & win rate
Home vs Away comparison
Goal difference in each of the last few fixtures — above the line is a net win, below is a net loss
Season comparison
Goals scored & conceded, goal difference and clean sheets across the season
Halftime Performance
What each side does once the whistle goes for half time
Streaks
Recent-form runs — each side’s most-recent game meets in the middle
Head to Head
van der Werff
van Gilst
Assist: Benita
Land
Assist: Rente
van der Werff
Land
Engels
Ould-Chikh
Bruns
Benita
Žambůrek
Yellow Card
Žambůrek
Taha
van Bergen
Hernes
Yellow Card
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  PSV Eindhoven | 34 | 27 | 3 | 4 | +56 | 84 |
| 8 |  Heerenveen | 34 | 14 | 9 | 11 | +4 | 51 |
| 9 |  Groningen | 34 | 14 | 6 | 14 | +4 | 48 |
| 10 |  Sparta Rotterdam | 34 | 12 | 7 | 15 | -22 | 43 |
| 17 |  NAC Breda | 34 | 6 | 11 | 17 | -23 | 29 |
| 18 |  Heracles | 34 | 5 | 4 | 25 | -50 | 19 |
Match Statistics
Heracles
4-2-3-1Starting XI
- 2Mimeirhel Obispo BenitaD
- 4Damon MiraniD
- 5Djevencio van der KustD
- 8Mario EngelsF
- 10Thomas BrunsM
- 13Jan ŽambůrekM
- 16Timo JansinkG
- 17Tristan van GilstM
- 23Mike Jarno Maria te WierikD
- 32Sem SchepermanM
- 73Walid Ould-ChikhM
Substitutes
- 3Jannes Luca WieckhoffD
- 6Sava-Arangel ČestićD
- 14Erik Melker AhlstrandM
- 18Alec Van HoorenbeeckD
- 20Rhys BozinovskiM
- 22Remko Jurian PasveerG
- 25Lequincio ZeefuikF
- 27Jop TijinkD
- 30Robin MantelG
- 38J. WijnrederD
- 39S. BlokhuisM
- 41Tarik HamamiogluF
Groningen
4-2-3-1Starting XI
- 1Etienne VaessenG
- 3Thijmen BlokzijlD
- 4Dies JanseD
- 5Marco RenteD
- 8Tika de JongeM
- 10Younes Taha El IdrissiM
- 14Jorg SchreudersM
- 17David van der WerffM
- 18Tygo LandM
- 26Thom van BergenF
- 43Marvin PeersmanD
Substitutes
- 2Wouter PrinsD
- 7Travis Enrique HernesM
- 9Brynjólfur Andersen WillumssonF
- 13Lovro ŠtubljarG
- 15Elvis Arnold van der LaanD
- 16Tyrique MerceraD
- 21Hidde JurjusG
- 22Sven BoulandD
- 27Rui MendesF
- 34R. MetuF
- 44Besnik MashukuM
- 48Petrit PreniqiD
Heracles
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walid Ould-Chikh | M | 76 | 8.5 | — | — | — | — | 5 | 2/2 |
| Thomas Bruns | M | 76 | 7.3 | — | — | — | — | — | 1/1 |
| Tristan van Gilst | M | 94 | 7.2 | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1/3 |
| Sem Scheperman | M | 94 | 6.9 | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — |
| Mike te Wierik | D | 94 | 6.7 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Damon Mirani(C) | D | 94 | 6.3 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — |
| Timo Jansink | G | 94 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Jan Žambůrek | M | 88 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | — | 0/1 |
| Mimeirhel Benita | D | 85 | 6.2 | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1/4 |
| Mario Engels | F | 75 | 6.0 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 0/1 |
| Djevencio van der Kust | D | 94 | 5.9 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1/1 |
| Substitutes | |||||||||
| Sil Blokhuis | M | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Jop Tijink | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Lequincio Zeefuik | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sava Arangel Čestić | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Jannes Wieckhoff | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Remko Pasveer | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Alec Van Hoorenbeeck | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Robin Mantel | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Erik Ahlstrand | M | 19 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| Rhys Bozinovski | M | 18 | 6.7 | — | — | — | — | — | 0/1 |
| Jeppe Wijnreder | D | 9 | 6.6 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Tarik Hamamioglu | F | 18 | 6.2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 0/1 |
Groningen
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tygo Land | M | 74 | 7.9 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| David van der Werff | M | 61 | 7.3 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — |
| Thom van Bergen | F | 89 | 7.0 | — | — | 3 | 1 | — | 0/1 |
| Marvin Peersman | D | 94 | 7.0 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 2/3 |
| Thijmen Blokzijl | D | 94 | 7.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Jorg Schreuders | M | 94 | 6.7 | — | — | — | — | — | 0/1 |
| Dies Janse | D | 94 | 6.6 | — | — | — | — | — | 2/2 |
| Tika de Jonge | M | 94 | 6.3 | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | — |
| Marco Rente(C) | D | 94 | 6.3 | — | 1 | — | — | 4 | 0/1 |
| Younes Taha | M | 89 | 6.2 | — | — | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1/2 |
| Etienne Vaessen | G | 94 | 5.9 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Substitutes | |||||||||
| Elvis Van der Laan | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Hidde Jurjus | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Lovro Štubljar | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Brynjólfur Darri Willumsson | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Robin Kelder | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ryan Metu | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Jismerai Dillema | M | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Wouter Prins | D | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1/1 |
| Tyrique Mercera | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sven Bouland | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Rui Mendes | F | 20 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | — | 0/1 |
| Travis Hernes | M | 33 | 6.3 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |