Preview: Go Ahead Eagles vs. Heracles - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts are now eighth in the table, after a slight dip in form, while the visitors are up in seventh, having taken one more point from their opening seven games.

Match preview

Go Ahead Eagles have made a decent start to the Eredivisie season, having taken 10 points from their opening seven games, and they have been particularly impressive on home soil, which means they should head into Saturday's game full of confidence.

Kowet have won all three of their games at De Adelaarshorst so far this season, and there have been plenty of goals in the process, defeating FC Volendam 4-1, before going on to record a 3-2 victory against Heerenveen, and a 3-0 win against Fortuna Sittard.

The only slight concern manager Rene Hake may have is the fact his side have not been quite as impressive on the road, taking one point from their opening four matches away from home, but it must be noted they have faced some very tough opponents.

On the opening day of the campaign, Go Ahead Eagles lost 5-1 away at AZ Alkmaar, and in their last two matches they have been no match for PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord, losing 3-0 against the former, before falling to a 3-1 defeat against the reigning champions last time out.

However, Hake may be happy his side have got some of their toughest matches out of the way early doors, and they are now set to take on a team they have a solid recent record against, having won two and drawn one of their last three matches against Heracles.

While HAFC have let Kowet get the better of them in their recent encounters, they are currently sitting one place above them in the league table, having collected 11 points from their opening seven games.

Despite only being promoted from the Eerste Divisie last season, the club from Almelo have looked impressive in the opening stages of the campaign, picking up three wins, but all of those came at home, and they are still searching for their first away victory.

That said, John Lammers' side have managed to pick up an impressive result on their travels, drawing 1-1 at AZ Alkmaar at the end of September, with Anas Ouahim getting on the scoresheet early in the second half to cancel out Vangelis Pavlidis' opener.

After recording a 2-1 victory against PEC Zwolle in their last match, Heracles are now on a three-game unbeaten streak in the Eredivisie, and they should fancy their chances this Sunday, despite their poor recent record against Go Ahead Eagles.

Go Ahead Eagles Eredivisie form:

W

W

D

W

L

L

Heracles Eredivisie form:

W

W

L

D

D

W

Advert - content below:

Team News

Go Ahead Eagles may have lost at Feyenoord last time out, but Hake is likely to be impressed with striker Sylla Sow's performance after being brought on as a substitute, scoring his third goal in five games.

As such, the 27-year-old is in line to start this weekend, replacing Victor Edvardsen in the starting lineup, with the 27-year-old still yet to score a goal this season.

Finn Stokkers would normally be another attacking option for Kowet, but the former Waalwijk man remains sidelined with an eye injury, which has caused him to miss the opening seven games.

Heracles have a couple more absentees, with Jizz Hornkamp set to miss out due to an ankle injury, while Nicolai Laursen is still absent with a knee problem, and Antonio Satriano's injury means he is set to miss out for the third game on the spin.

After the impressive 2-1 win against PEC Zwolle, it would be a surprise if Lammers rings the changes, but Mario Engels could replace Mohamed Sankoh at striker, having assisted the winning goal as a second-half substitute in the last match.

Go Ahead Eagles possible starting lineup:

De Lange; Deijl, Amofa, Nauber, Kuipers; Linthorst, Rommens, Adekanye, Willumsson, Edvardsen; Sow

Heracles possible starting lineup:

Brouwer; Bakboord, Bultman, Hoogma, Willems; De Keersmaecker, Bruns, Limbombe, Ouahim, Hansson; Engels

We say: Go Ahead Eagles 1-1 Heracles

Go Ahead Eagles have won their opening three home games, but Heracles proved they are up to the task of maintaining their Eredivisie status with their 1-1 draw at AZ Alkmaar in their last away fixture.

As such, we think the visitors will be able to take a point from this weekend's match, extending their unbeaten run to four games.

Previews by email