Heracles vs Excelsior Prediction and Betting Tips for the Eredivisie showdown on Friday, March 20, 2026. Kick-off is 19:00 GMT at the Asito Stadium in Almelo. Fans can catch every moment live on Canal+ and ESPN. This match looks like a massive relegation six-pointer for both struggling clubs.
Ernest Faber faces a daunting task as Heracles sits dead last in the table. The statistics show they concede 2.15 goals at home on average. Meanwhile, Excelsior arrives with five straight losses and a thin squad. In this article, you will find expert Eredivisie Predictions for this clash.
Heracles vs Excelsior Key Facts and Stats
Heracles has failed to find the net in four of their last five league fixtures.
Excelsior has suffered five consecutive defeats and failed to pick up a single point recently.
The home side possesses the worst defense in the league conceding over two goals daily.
Both teams play with four at the back but struggle significantly with defensive transition phases.
Just one of the last five Heracles games ended with both teams finding the net.
Striker Jizz Hornkamp remains the primary offensive threat for the hosts with ten goals scored.
Active final third play with 12.62 average fouls won per match.
High frequency of shots on target averaging 5.08 per home game.
Spectacular football for fans with 85% of matches over 1.5 goals.
- Heracles Weaknesses
Worst defense in the league conceding 2.15 goals per home match.
Poor home record with only 1.08 average points per game.
Struggling attack with 44% of total matches ending without a goal.
League Position
15
+ Excelsior Strengths
Excellent tactical discipline with only 1.38 cards received per match.
High attacking corner production averaging 4.23 per away game.
Spectacular away style with 92% of matches over 1.5 goals.
- Excelsior Weaknesses
Weak away offensive output averaging just 1.08 goals per game.
Low offensive threat on the road with only 10.77 shots per match.
Match Preview
Heracles is in a real mess right now. They have only picked up 1 point from their last 5 matches. That is a dismal average of 0.2 points per game. Scoring has become a massive headache for the squad as they have failed to find the net in 44% of games.
The absence of Luka Kulenovic is a significant blow for Ernest Faber. He is currently sidelined with an injury and his 0.35 goals per 90 minutes are missing. Jizz Hornkamp will have to carry the entire offensive load. He has scored 10 goals so far this season.
Defensively, things are just as bad at the Asito Stadium. Heracles concedes an average of 2.15 goals when playing at home. Their backline, likely featuring Ivan Mesik and Damon Mirani, looks incredibly vulnerable. Mesik has already picked up 7 yellow cards this season. He needs to stay disciplined.
Excelsior is essentially in a freefall after losing 5 matches in a row. They have not earned a single point in their most recent fixtures. Ruben den Uil needs a miracle to stop the bleeding. Despite the losses, they usually manage to keep their matches quite competitive.
Noah Naujoks remains their best hope for a goal on Friday. He has bagged 8 goals this season with a 0.41 average per 90 minutes. He will likely start in a front 3 alongside De Regt and Fernandes. They will try to exploit the porous Heracles home defense.
Still, with both teams terrified of losing, a cagey affair is expected. Excelsior averages 1.38 cards per game, showing they keep their cool. It will be a tight battle at the bottom. Our final thoughts point toward cautious Eredivisie Predictions given the current poor form of both.
Heracles vs Excelsior Predicted Lineups
Heracles (4-2-3-1)
Ernest Faber
GK
Pasveer
DF
Wieckhoff, Mirani, Van Hoorenbeeck, Mesík
MF
Zamburek, Hrustic Ahlstrand, Bozinovski, Ünüvar
FW
van Gilst
OUT
L. Zeefuik(OUT),
M. Te Wierik(QUES),
W. Ould-Chikh(QUES),
F. de Keijzer(QUES),
J. Reine-Adélaïde(QUES),
L. Kulenovic(QUES)
Excelsior (4-3-3)
Ruben den Uil
GK
van Gassel
DF
Bronkhorst, Widell, Meissen, Zagré
MF
Hartjes Yegoian, Schouten
FW
Fernandes, Naujoks, de Regt
OUT
C. Raatsie(QUES),
H. Akujobi(QUES),
M. Jonathans(OUT)
Prediction
Under 3.5 Goals @1.48
Heracles is currently struggling in front of goal and has failed to score in 12 matches this season. This represents a worrying 44% of their league games. With just 1 goal scored in their last 5 fixtures, it is hard to see them exploding offensively. Missing Luka Kulenovic further limits their options. Expect a very cautious approach from the home manager to avoid another damaging defeat.
Excelsior is not faring much better on the road with an average of only 1.08 goals scored per game. Their attacking statistics are poor as they only manage 10.77 shots per match. While their defense is shaky, the lack of quality in the final third for both sides suggests a low scoring game. Betting on under 3.5 goals seems very safe for this match.
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FAQ – Heracles vs Excelsior Prediction
Who is the favorite to win between Heracles and Excelsior?
Heracles is the slight favorite due to home advantage, but their position at the bottom of the table makes this a very unpredictable match.
Where can I watch the Heracles vs Excelsior live?
The Heracles vs Excelsior Eredivisie match will be broadcast live on Canal+ (Ned) and ESPN (Ned).
What time does Heracles vs Excelsior start?
Kick-off is scheduled for 19:00 (GMT) on Friday, March 20, 2026.
Which players are missing for Heracles?
Heracles will be without the suspended Lequincio Zeefuik and several injured players including Luka Kulenovic and Mike Te Wierik.
Is both teams to score (BTTS) likely?
Statistics suggest caution as Heracles has only seen BTTS in 1 of their last 5 games, despite Excelsior having a higher frequency in their recent losses.
Alexandru Florin is a football betting expert, providing tips and accumulator predictions for xpertstats.com since 2022. With a strong focus on data-driven analysis, he delivers well-researched insights and reliable advice for bettors aiming for long-term profit.
