Heracles Almelo vs Feyenoord Rotterdam Best odds and tips

Feyenoord Rotterdam enter this Eredivisie clash with Heracles Almelo in 3rd place with 62 points from 30 games while the hosts are 12th with 35 points from the same number of games. Every point is vital for the visitors as they chase down the top two, but Heracles will be aiming to finish as high as possible in the table too. Feyenoord are heavy favourites to win this game at 1.38 with Heracles listed as big outsiders at 7.00 and the draw at 5.20. That’s because Rotterdam have won their last five Eredivisie games in a row, including a 4-0 thumping of PEC Zwolle just days ago, while Heracles have been inconsistent of late.

Erwin van de Looi took over as Heracles Almelo boss in December 2023 and has brought a greater sense of defensive organisation and discipline to the club since his appointment. Heracles are a pragmatic 4-2-3-1 team that can be tough to beat, particularly at home, where they have won two and drawn one of their last three games. Heracles have conceded 21 goals in 15 Eredivisie home games this season, an average of 1.40 per game, which will be a number that Feyenoord’s potent attack will be looking to exploit. Heracles’ last home game was a superb 1-0 win over AZ Alkmaar a fortnight ago, but they were thumped 4-1 by FC Groningen five days later. Jizz Hornkamp has been in great form for Heracles recently, scoring three of the team’s last four goals and looks a good shout for an anytime goal on Saturday.

Luka Kulenovic is the top scorer for Heracles with eight Eredivisie goals in 20 appearances, providing a physical presence up front for a team that can be quite light in the attacking areas. Feyenoord’s Igor Paixao is the Eredivisie’s third-leading scorer with 14 goals in 30 games and has netted 5 times during Feyenoord’s recent winning spree. Paixao’s firepower is part of a frontline that has scored 13 goals in the last five league games. Robin van Persie has overseen a perfect start to his reign at Feyenoord, making a few tactical tweaks that have resulted in consecutive wins. The 4-3-3 is a high-octane system that demands ball retention, fluid attacking movement and high pressing to dominate territory and possession. Heracles will set up to resist Feyenoord’s onslaught and hope to hit on the counter-attack. Feyenoord’s head-to-head dominance, recent form and attacking potency should see them to a comfortable away win, but Heracles are a stubborn opponent at home and can keep things closer than the odds suggest, at least early on. Backing over 2.5 goals could provide value.