Two teams who could really do with a victory face off at the Abe Lenstra Stadion on Saturday, as Heerenveen entertain the challenge of Heracles.

The home side are winless in their last seven matches heading into this weekend's encounter, while the visitors have come out on top only once in that time.

Match preview

Heerenveen came away empty-handed from their clash against AZ Alkmaar on Saturday in a comprehensive 3-0 thrashing at the AFAS Stadion.

Kees van Wonderen's men fell behind to Vangelis Pavlidis's opener 11 minutes in, which turned out to be the first of three goals for the striker on the day.

As a result, De Superfriezen have dropped down to 15th place in the Eredivisie table, just a point clear of the bottom three as things stand.

Next up is the challenge of an opposing outfit who were beaten in both of last season's league clashes without them finding the back of the net.

Ahead of a KNVB-Beker encounter against VVV-Venlo to come three days later, Saturday's hosts set out to secure a much-needed return to winning ways.

Heracles showed great resolve to secure a hard-fought point against FC Twente when the sides went head-to-head at Erve Asito on Sunday afternoon.

Dan Hillhouse's men found themselves two down at half time thanks to strikes from Daan Rots and Sem Steijn before Mario Engels and Sven Sonnenberg netted in the second period to restore parity.

With 12 points amassed from nine matches this term, the Heraclieden sit eighth in the standings and have made a fine start to life back in the top flight.

Winless in their last seven matches on the road, the visitors will be looking to turn their away fortunes around, starting with this weekend's affair.

Team News

Hercales' Diego van Oorschot remains out of contention with a broken leg, while Jizz Hornkamp continues to nurse a long-term ankle problem.

The visiting team will also be without the services of Nicolai Laursen who remains without an appearance since late March due to a knee injury.

Osame Sahraoui has been directly involved in four of Heerenveen's 10 goals so far, making the Norway international one to keep an eye on here.

Twenty-five-year-old Ion Nicolaescu could make his return to action this weekend after missing the hosts' last involvement through a knock.

Heerenveen possible starting lineup:
Noppert; Kohlert, Bochniewicz, Van Beek, Ali; Olsson, Haye, Brouwers; Sahraoui, Van Amersfoort, Walemark

Heracles possible starting lineup:
Brouwer; Roosken, Hoogma, Bultman, Wieckhoff; Bruns, De Keersmaecker; Hansson, Ouahim, Wehmeyer; Sankoh

We say: Heerenveen 2-1 Heracles

With two of the Eredivisie's leakiest defences going head-to-head, we are anticipating an exciting clash with chances at both ends. That said, we just about fancy the hosts to emerge victorious come the end of the 90 minutes.


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