Heracles v NAC Breda: bottom-two rivals in survival fight | OneFootball

Heracles host NAC Breda in the Eredivisie on Saturday, 14 February 2026 in Almelo, with the bottom two separated by one point and both needing a result to boost their survival bids.

Heracles have held the recent edge in this fixture, winning six of the last 10 meetings. The sides split early-season clashes: NAC Breda won 2-1 in September, before Heracles hit back with a 4-1 cup win in October.

Form is fragile on both sides. Heracles have lost four of their past five league games, the exception being a 2-1 home win over Fortuna Sittard. NAC Breda are winless in five but took draws against PSV and FC Twente, and they are yet to win away in the league this season.

Team news tilts towards defensive resources. Heracles list Mario Engels, Fabian De Keijzer and Alec Van Hoorenbeeck as injured. NAC Breda are without Boy Kemper through injury and Rio Hillen is suspended.

Tactically, the hosts must tighten up after conceding 57 league goals and keeping just one clean sheet. Creativity could flow through Ajdin Hrustic, who leads Heracles with six assists according to the league rankings, while Luka Kulenović offers a focal point. NAC Breda have managed only two clean sheets and 23 goals, but they do deliver plenty from wide areas and may look to test a leaky home back line. Notably, neither side has scored from set pieces this season.

In the table, Heracles start 17th on 17 points and NAC Breda 18th on 16. A home win would take Heracles to 20 points and could lift them into 16th. Victory for NAC Breda would move them to 19 points and could also carry them into the relegation play-off spot, easing immediate pressure in the drop zone.