Preview: Heracles vs. Willem II - prediction, team news, lineups

Meanwhile, the hosts will aim to continue their good streak on home turf where they have come out on top in each of the last two matches.

Match preview

Willem II picked up a third consecutive 2-1 victory in the space of seven days when they saw off the challenge of PSV Eindhoven on Saturday.

Eran Zahavi scored at both ends in the first half to leave the scores level going into the interval, before Che Nunnely got the all-important goal midway through the second period.

Since an opening-day 4-0 loss to Feyenoord, Fred Grim's men are unbeaten in the subsequent six matches, winning five of them and amassing 16 of a possible 18 points.

Following that fine run, Saturday's visitors are just three points adrift of league leaders Ajax at the top of the Eredivisie standings.

Lying in store next for them is a tricky tie against an opposing side who have both won and lost five games apiece in the last 10 meetings between the teams.

Heracles returning to winning ways last time out with a second victory in three games when they narrowly defeated RKC Waalwijk 1-0 on Sunday.

With the scores level at half time, Delano Burgzorg popped up with the winning goal just shy of the hour mark to hand Frank Wormuth's men all three points.

With seven points from their six matches so far, the Heraclieden currently occupy 11th position on the log and are just three points off the top half.

Only four teams have conceded fewer goals this term than Saturday's hosts who also have the joint second-worst attacking record which is an area that needs strengthening going forward.

Heracles Eredivisie form:

Heracles form (all competitions):

Willem II Eredivisie form:

Team News

Wesley Spieringhs and Freek Heerkens continue to battle with knee injuries and are both unavailable for their side's trip to Almelo this weekend.

Leeroy Owusu is ruled out with appendicitis, while first choice goalkeeper Robbin Ruiter remains without an appearance since the opening day due to injury.

Twenty-seven-year-old Kwasi Okyere Wriedt has scored in two of his three games away from home this term making him one to keep an eye on.

Danish midfielder Kasper Jakobsen will not feature as he is yet to recover from a knee injury through which he has missed the last five matches.

Sinan Bakis and Rai Vloet were on song the last time Saturday's opponents faced off and the duo are expected to line up in attack for the hosts.

Heracles possible starting lineup:

Blaswich; Quagliata, Knoester, Rente, Fadiga; De La Torre, Schoofs, Vloet; Basacikoglu, Burgzorg, Bakis

Willem II possible starting lineup:

Wellenreuther; Schippers, Jenssen, Michelis, Kohn; Saglam, Saddiki, Llonch; Kohlert, Okyere Wriedt, Nunnely

We say: Heracles 1-1 Willem II

Willem II are the more in-form team coming into the contest and the onus will be more on them to take the fight to their hosts. However, Heracles have been solid in front of their fans of late and we expect them to secure a point in what should be a keenly-contested affair.