Heracles vs Ajax: Preview, Prediction, Team News & Lineups

The Eredivisie returns to Asito Stadion on Saturday. Heracles will host Ajax with five rounds left to play.

Match context

Heracles sit bottom of the table. They have 19 points from 29 matches and trail safety by eight points.

The hosts have conceded a league-high 74 goals this season. Their last league win came on February 1, a 2-1 victory over Fortuna Sittard.

Since that win, Heracles have managed two draws and suffered six defeats in eight Eredivisie games. Their most recent loss was a 4-1 defeat at Heerenveen.

Home form offers some comfort. Four of their five league wins came at Asito Stadion. They are unbeaten in their last two home matches, drawing 0-0 with FC Utrecht and 1-1 with Excelsior.

In head-to-head terms, Ajax have dominated. Heracles have not beaten Ajax at home since 2020. Ajax hold a six-match winning run against Heracles and are unbeaten in nine meetings.

Ajax outlook

Ajax are in a tight race for European qualification. They sit fifth, two points behind Twente for the final Europa League spot.

They trail third-placed NEC Nijmegen by five points. Several teams sit close together between fifth and eighth.

The club appointed Oscar Garcia at the start of last month. His early results included a 4-0 win over Sparta Rotterdam and a 1-1 draw with Feyenoord.

Garcia suffered his first defeat in charge recently as Ajax lost 2-1 at home to Twente. The team has one victory in its last six matches, plus three draws and two defeats.

Team news and possible lineups

This preview covers Heracles vs Ajax, prediction, team news and lineups. Injury and suspension lists shape both selections.

Heracles

• Unavailable: Mike te Wierik, Fabian de Keijzer, Jeff Reine-Adelaide (injuries).
• Suspended: Mimeirhel Benita (yellow card accumulation).
• Doubtful: Ajdin Hrustic (missed previous match through injury).

Probable starting XI (reported): Pasveer; Benita, Mirani, Hoorenbeeck, Mesik; Bozinovski, Zamburek; Ahlstrand, Bruns, Unuvar; Zeefuik.

Ajax

• Injured: Oleksandr Zinchenko (knee), Vitezslav Jaros (back), Youri Regeer (hamstring).
• Doubtful: Takehiro Tomiyasu (suspected hamstring), Kian Fitz-Jim (missed last game).

Probable starting XI (reported): Paes; Rosa, Sutalo, Baas, Wijndal; Klaasen, Mokio, Steur; Berghuis, Weghorst, Godts.

Prediction

Filmogaz.com predicts a narrow away win. Ajax are favoured to exploit Heracles’ defensive issues.

Projected score: Heracles 0-2 Ajax. Ajax’s recent dominance in this fixture supports that call. Heracles need points, but their leaky defence is a major concern.