Heracles vs Groningen Predictions

High flying Heracles remain fourth in the Eredivisie, despite being thrashed 4-0 by Vitesse before the international break. On Sunday Heracles will be hoping to return to winning ways at home to struggling Groningen who lost at Den Haag last time out and sit second from bottom in the Eredivisie table.

Heracles actually gave a decent account of themselves against Vitesse despite being heavily beaten, but will be disappointed in their defending and lack of a cutting edge in the final third. Foor opened the scoring in the eleventh minute and a strike from Darfalou three minutes before the break saw Vitesse double their advantage.

Darfalou netted his brace in the sixty-sixth minute and seven minutes later former Manchester United full back Büttner converted a penalty to make it 4-0. Büttner was presented with the chance to make it 5-0 in stoppage time when the hosts were awarded their second spot kick, but the Dutchman fluffed his lines and the game ended 4-0.

Heralces might well blame the loss of first choice goalkeeper Blaswich, who was replaced at the break, for their second half collapse, as they ended the game with 49% of the possession and just as many corners as their hosts. However it was in the final third that Heracles flattered to deceive, with just two of their shots in the entire ninety minutes hitting the target.

Swedish striker Peterson is enjoying his best ever start to an Eredivisie season, with eight goals from eight starts he is clearly playing an integral part of Heracles fantastic start to the campaign. Groningen wish they had an in form striker in their ranks, but instead they don’t even have a single player with more than one league goal to their name from the opening eight matches.

The Groningen forward failed to score last time out against Den Haag, with the hosts claiming all three points via a Hooi goal in the thirty-second minute. Groningen gave Den Haag a match, but lacked a creative spark in midfield, which meant their forwards were starved of decent service.

Talented Moroccan international Mahi is yet to register a goal this season, but if he can recapture the form of two seasons ago that saw him net seventeen league goals, then Groningen should have enough to avoid relegation.

We’re confident that Heracles will win to nil on Sunday, with the final score reading 1-0 to the hosts. Heracles have only lost one of their last five matches against Groningen. The visitors have failed to score in four of their last six in all competitions, while Heracles have won five of their last six matches. Groningen have failed to score in their last two away games, and while they haven’t played too badly, they just don’t appear to have enough penetration in the final third.