Our prediction for this Netherlands Eredivisie match:
Utrecht will look to make amends for back-to-back losses to Vitesse and Cambuur when they host Heracles to their Stadion Galgenwaard on Matchday 14. Rene Hake’s troops suffered a dip in form, but Sunday’s clash could be the turning point for the home team. All Mike van der Hoorn, Christopher Mamengi, and Tommy St. Jago are rated doubtful for the match, while midfielder Adam Maher returns from suspension.
The Black and Whites, on the other hand, aim to build on a 3-1 win over Fortuna Sittard. Heracles regained a much-needed confidence at the weekend, but seeing that Utrecht are a real force to be reckoned with at home, we do not believe that the visitors are capable of grabbing something from the match. In their last meeting at the venue Utrecht defeated Heracles 2-0, and we predict that the history is going to repeat itself. Defender Giacomo Quagliata is back from suspension for the away team.
Highlighted Player (Willem Janssen):
After starting his senior career at VVV-Venlo, Willem Janssen joined fellow Dutch club Roda JC in 2007. The 186-cm-tall centre-back scored 22 goals in 129 appearances for the Black and Yellows in the Eredivisie, and in 2011 he moved to Twente.
After ending his loan spell with Utrecht in 2014, he signed a permanent deal with the Stadion Galgenwaard outfit, and he has been playing for the club ever since. He scored his first league goal for Utrecht in a 1-1 draw with Zwolle on September 1, 2013. Willem Janseen was born in Nijmegen, Netherlands on July 4, 1986, but he has yet to earn a call-up for the national team. Janssen, though, has two caps with the Netherlands U21 team.
His main position is centre-back, but he is used as both defensive midfielder and central midfielder as well. His preferred foot is right. In the 2015/16 season he helped Utrecht make it to the Dutch Cup final, but Feyenoord proved to be a big catch for them in the title game.
Highlighted Team (Heracles):
Heracles is a professional Dutch club based in Almelo. The club was formed back in May 1903 and named after Heracles, the demigod son of Zeus. From 1974 to 1998 the club played under the name of SC Heracles ’74. The Heraclieden’s home colours are black and white, while blue is the dominant colour of their away shirt.
Twente are considered one of the club’s main rivals in the Netherlands. Speaking of the club’s achievements, it has to be noted that Heracles have won two Eredivisie trophies (1926/27, 1940/41). In the 2011/12 season they made it to the Dutch Cup final. Heracles faced PSV in the title game, with the Dutch giants proving to be a big catch for the underdogs.
PSV won the game 3-0. In the 2016/17 season Heracles participated in the Europa League, with the team suffering elimination to Arouca in the third qualifying round. Everton is leading the club’s all-time goal-scoring chart with 77 goals.