Heracles vs PSV – News and Probable Lineups

Heracles Almelo will welcome league leaders PSV Eindhoven to the Asito Stadion on Saturday for a match on Eredivisie matchday 25.

This matchup features the team at the bottom of the table going up against the title favorites, with a staggering 45 points between the two clubs, highlighting their differing fortunes as the season progresses.

Match overview

Heracles is facing a tough end to the season, and if they can secure a positive result against PSV—who are not in jeopardy of losing the title at this point—they could gain a crucial advantage in their battle for survival.

After suffering a heavy 4-0 defeat to Go Ahead Eagles, followed by a narrow 1-0 loss to struggling NAC Breda, Ernest Faber’s side has dropped to the last position in the table, now five points away from safety as they enter the weekend clash with the league leaders.

It is rare for the team with the worst defensive record in the league to avoid relegation, and with 62 goals conceded—at least 12 more than PEC Zwolle, which has conceded 50—it underscores a critical weakness that has plagued their season.

The Heraclieden have finished in the bottom five during their last three seasons in the top flight, making them familiar with the fight against relegation, but their current predicament is becoming increasingly dire as pressure intensifies.

With six losses in their 12 home league matches already, the Almelo side urgently require better performances at home, although they face a daunting task against a team they have managed to defeat only twice in the last 64 years.

PSV’s quest for an 18th successive away victory was interrupted by relegation-battling Volendam during gameweek 23, but they bounced back emphatically with a 3-1 home victory against Heerenveen last weekend.

Following a loss to Go Ahead Eagles in March 2025 which set the stage for securing last season’s championship, Peter Bosz’s squad embarked on a spectacular streak that included six consecutive away wins to conclude the season, along with an additional 11 away victories this term, allowing them to build a robust 14-point lead at the top of the Eredivisie.

However, Volendam interrupted that winning momentum in a thrilling encounter at the Kras Stadion, where three goals in the second half included an equalizer from Dennis Man sandwiched between goals from Robin van Cruijsen and Aurelio Oehlers for the 14th-placed team.

Despite this setback, PSV has suffered only two losses in the league this season and maintains an impressive away record, having won 11 out of 12 matches, a record that should bolster their confidence as they prepare to face a Heracles side that has achieved just one home victory this season.

Additionally, the reigning champions find encouragement in their historical dominance over this fixture, having triumphed in 41 of the last 50 meetings, drawing seven, and losing merely twice, while also scoring in each of their last nine away league matches against their Saturday opponents.

Team News

Heracles will still be missing former Arsenal midfielder Jeff Reine-Adelaide, who is in recovery from a prolonged knee injury that has affected his debut season at the club.

In addition, Mario Engels, Fabian de Keijzer, and Sem Scheperman are out due to muscle injuries, while Alec van Hoorenbeeck is recuperating from an illness, and Sava-Arangel Cestic is nursing a minor fitness issue.

PSV are set to be without Alassane Plea, Nick Olij, Ricardo Pepi, and Ruben van Bommel due to knee, groin, and fracture problems, while Guus Til is also dealing with an unspecified injury sustained during the week.

Joey Veerman and Til have scored five and four away goals respectively this season, highlighting the attacking options within the PSV squad, which also includes the influential Ismael Saibari.

Heracles probable starting XI:

feather key; Benita, Mesik, Te Wierik, Mirani, Van der Kust; Hrustic, Bozinoxi, Unuvar; Kulenovic, Zeefuik

PSV Eindhoven probable starting XI:

Kovar; Dest, Schouten, Gasiorowski, Junior; Wanner, Veerman, Saibari; Perisic, Man, Boadu

On paper, this match appears to heavily favor PSV and could amplify Heracles’ relegation worries.

Having secured victories in the last eight encounters between these teams, Bosz’s squad will be eager to avoid another away disappointment, and any outcome less than a resounding win would certainly be unexpected.