Heracles v Groningen: relegation strugglers meet top-half chasers | OneFootball

Heracles host Groningen in the Eredivisie on Sunday, 17 May 2026 in Almelo, with the bottom club trying to stop the slide and the visitors in ninth aiming to firm up a top half finish.

Groningen won the reverse fixture 4-0 back in August, and arrive with a stronger season picture than the hosts.

Form points the same way. Heracles have lost five league games on the spin. Groningen have taken two wins in their last five, including a 2-1 victory over NEC Nijmegen last time out.

Team news matters. Heracles are without Fabian De Keijzer, Ivan Mesik and Naci Unuvar through injury, while Luka Kulenović is suspended. Groningen list Oskar Zawada and Stije Resink as injured.

Routes to goal could hinge on balance versus resilience. Heracles have conceded 83 league goals and kept just two clean sheets, while Groningen have 10 shutouts, 51% average possession and a 50.93% shot accuracy. Thom van Bergen's nine league goals and Younes Taha's nine assists offer threat, and the visitors' 10 headed goals suggest an aerial avenue.

A home win would lift Heracles to 22 points and offer late season encouragement in the relegation fight. Victory for Groningen would take them to 48 points and could consolidate a top half finish in ninth.