Eredivisie Preview:Heracles Almelo vs FC Utrecht
- FlashFootball 2025/01/24 10:13
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Eredivisie | Gameweek 20
Jan 24, 2025 at 7pm UK
Erve Asito
Heracles vs Utrecht
Match preview
Heracles have made a good start to the new year with two wins and a draw from three games in all competitions, including a 2-0 win over De Graafschap in the KNVB Beker to set up a quarter-final meeting with their future opponents early next month.
Last weekend, Heraclieden recorded their fourth league win of the season, beating relegation candidates Almere City 2-0 on the road thanks to goals in each half from Mats Rots and Jizz Hornkamp.
However, consistency has been a major problem for Erwin van de Looi's side this season - if they avoid defeat this weekend, it will be only the second time since October 2023 that they have gone three league games without defeat.
They have also struggled in this fixture recently, losing 1-0 in the reverse fixture at the Galgenwaard stadium, their third successive defeat against this opponent dating back to September 2023.
On the positive side, the hosts are a tough side to beat on their home turf, currently unbeaten in their last four, while their only top-flight defeats at the Asito Stadion this season have come against PSV and Ajax.
Meanwhile, Utrecht maintained their unbeaten record in the new year with a goalless draw at home to AZ Alkmaar last weekend, which followed a 2-1 win over RKC Waalwijk in the last 16 of the domestic cup.
The Cupfighters also secured a come-from-behind win over Feyenoord in their first game of the year, bouncing back superbly from a 5-2 shock defeat at the hands of Fortuna Sittard before the December break.
Notably, Utrecht had scored two or more goals in seven consecutive league games before last weekend's stalemate, which was also the first time they had failed to find the net since late October.
The visitors have been in sensational form away from home this season, going unbeaten in the first half of the campaign, while their last away defeat in the top flight came at the end of March.
Recent Performance
Heracles Eredivisie form:DLDLDW
Heracles form (all competitions):DLWDWW
FC Utrecht Eredivisie form:DWDLWD
FC Utrecht form (all competitions):DWLWWD
Team News
Luka Kulenovic has missed the last four games in all competitions after suffering an ankle injury in the defeat at Feyenoord in mid-December and is still a few weeks away from a return.
Nikolai Laursen (cruciate ligament), Sava-Arangel Cestic (fractured ankle) and Stijn Bultman (knee) have not featured for the hosts this season and will remain out for the foreseeable future.
The visitors will be without two players for this weekend's trip to Almelo, with midfielder Can Bodogan and striker Noah Ohio ruled out with shin and foot injuries respectively.
Borussia Dortmund loanee Sebastien Haller made his first league start for Utrecht after scoring a brace in the cup win over RKC, and he is likely to lead the line this time around with Jens Toornstra in the number 10 role.
Possible starting lineup
Heracles possible starting lineup:
De Keijzer; Wieckhoff, Mirani, Mesik, Rots; De Keersmaecker, Scheperman; Engels, Bruns, Podgoreanu; Hornkamp
FC Utrecht possible starting lineup:
Barkas; Horemans, Viergever, Van der Hoorn, El Karouani; Iqbal, Aaronson, Jonathans, Cathline; Toornstra; Haller
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