Heracles vs Volendam – News and Probable Lineups

This weekend, Heracles faces a potential loss of their three-year tenure in the Eredivisie if they succumb to FC Volendam at Asito Stadion and other results do not favor them.

The Almelo team finds themselves nine points adrift of safety with only four matches to go, leaving them in a challenging position heading into this crucial game against relegation-threatened opponents in round 31.

Match overview

It appears increasingly inevitable that Heracles will be relegated to the second division, given that they sit six points behind NAC Breda, who are second from bottom, and nine points behind SBV Excelsior, the team currently in the playoff position with 28 points, equal with Volendam (28).

The arrival of Ernest Faber as head coach in December has not altered the unsettling trend many anticipated for 2026, especially after the departure of Jizz Hornkamp, who scored 10 goals, to AZ Alkmaar at the beginning of the year.

Since then, HAFC has managed just one Eredivisie victory—a 2-1 win over Fortuna Sittard in February—underlining the dire circumstances the club faces, with over two months since fans last witnessed a win.

Securing a mere two points from a potential 24 since that last triumph does little to boost confidence regarding a resurgence, further indicating a team headed towards the second division.

Compounding their troubles, they have conceded 77 goals this season, which is 11 more than 13th-placed PEC Zwolle (66) and significantly more than their rival teams—Volendam has allowed 50 goals, while both Excelsior and NAC have let in 51—leading to low expectations for any improvement from the relegation-bound hosts.

In contrast to Heracles, whose relegation seems imminent, Volendam finds itself in a position where they can determine their fate as they approach the final four match weeks.

Rick Kruys’s side is just three points ahead of NAC in the second-bottom position but is level on points with Excelsior in the playoff spot, highlighting the instability of their situation.

Form-wise, they have struggled significantly, being bottom of the form table over the past five game weeks, where they have gathered only a single point, although the teams around them have not been much better, as NAC has acquired three points while both Excelsior and Heracles have each garnered just two.

The drop in results is stark, particularly after a strong stretch that saw them claim victory in three of four league matches from February 7 to March 1; however, four of the following five fixtures have resulted in defeats.

The outlook for this season appears increasingly bleak, particularly considering their poor away performance: just one victory from 15 matches on the road, with a mere eight goals scored and 31 conceded.

Currently enduring a four-match losing streak away from home, traveling fans might rightfully expect further disappointment, as they have watched their team fail to score in three of their last four outings during this losing stretch.

Nevertheless, hopeful Volendam supporters will point to their 22-year unbeaten streak in this matchup as a reason for optimism regarding avoiding defeat and potentially extending their nine-match run against Heracles.

Team News

For Sunday’s match, Heracles will be missing several players, including Fabian de Keijzer, Jan Zamburek, Jeff Reine-Adelaide, Mike te Wierik, and Ajdin Hrustic due to injuries. Additionally, left-back Ivan Mesik is set to undergo evaluation following an injury sustained in the 3-0 defeat to Ajax on April 11.

Luka Kulenovic began last year on a high note but has only found the net once since the start of the new year, leaving him with five Eredivisie goals prior to this weekend.

It is not guaranteed that he will earn a 14th league start; Faber is expected to consider starting Lequincio Zeefuik in round 31 instead.

Volendam’s center-back Nick Verschuren is back from suspension for the match against Heracles, though the visitors will be without Bilal Ould-Chikh and Dave Kwakman this weekend.

Kruys’s squad has seen a mix of goal scorers this season, with neither Brandley Kuwas nor Robert Muhren having scored more than five; Robin van Cruijsen, Aurelio Oehlers, and Henk Veerman have all contributed four goals each.

Heracles probable starting XI:

feather key; Wieckhoff, Mirani, Van Hoorenbeeck, Van der Kust; Bruns, Scheperman; Van Gilst, Engels, Unuvar; Seafish

FC Volendam probable starting XI:

Van Oevelen; Ugwu, Amevor, Verschuren, Leliendal; Van Cruijsen, Yah; Oehlers, Descotte, Ideho; Kuwas

While Heracles has struggled defensively, Volendam’s away statistics do not present enough strength to suggest they will fully take advantage of these defensive vulnerabilities.

This combination hints at a fiercely contested match where both teams may find the back of the net, yet neither could claim all three points.