Both looking to maintain their unbeaten status at the beginning of the campaign, Heracles and PSV Eindhoven will lock horns at Asito Stadion in the Eredivisie on Sunday afternoon.
The Poupers shared the spoils at Sparta Rotterdam during their maiden match of the season, whilst Boeren produced a five-star performance to commence their defence of the Dutch crown.
After the title-winning campaign of 2022-23 in the Eerste Divisie - the club's fourth second-tier honour - Heracles successfully completed their primary task last term, securing Eredivisie status for the 2024-25, finishing four points above the relegation playoff spot.
Heracles: Home Advantage Key
The mission now for the Poupers is to push on and potentially fight for a first top-half placement in the Eredivisie since 2021, with Sunday's hosts helping their efforts by picking up an opening-weekend point at Sparta Rotterdam, where Fabian de Keijzer did brilliantly to keep a clean sheet.
As a result of a goalless draw on the first Sunday of the Eredivisie campaign, Heracles currently occupying 10th position in the very early top-flight standings, although that placement is likely to worsen given that the Dutch champions are coming to Asito Stadion this weekend.
The Poupers have lost a number of key men from their relegation-battling term of 2023-24 including six-goal attacker Mohamed Sankoh and Swedish winger Emil Hansson, with the latter providing a team-leading six assists last season before moving to League One Birmingham City over the summer.
Heracles' success this campaign is likely to be reliant on their ability to make Asito Stadion a relative fortress, with 66% of their Eredivisie points in 2023-24 coming in front of their passionate home support, including three points courtesy of a 5-0 thumping of AZ Alkmaar in April.
PSV: Looking to Extend Unbeaten Run
Rather unsurprisingly considering their canter to the Dutch title last season, PSV Eindhoven were the biggest winners on the opening weekend of the 2024-25 term, welcoming top-tier minnows RKC Waalwijk to Philips Stadion and sending them packing with a 5-1 thrashing.
First-half strikes from Johan Bakayoko, Jerdy Schouten and Malik Tillman put the destination of the points beyond doubt in the early stages, but it was an experienced Mexican who stole the headlines, with winger Hirving Lozano arriving off the bench to bag a second-period brace.
Last Saturday's thumping of Waalwijk was the perfect response to a disappointing first dose of competitive action for PSV on August 4, when Boeren conceded the Dutch Super Cup to rivals Feyenoord following a 4-2 penalty-shootout defeat, with Belgium's Bakayoko and Guus Til both failing to hold their nerve from 12 yards out.
Although PSV's invincibility status did not cover Eredivisie away matches last season, Sunday's visitors to Asito Stadion were still a formidable force on their travels during 2023-24, winning 13 and losing just one of 17 contests, a record only Feyenoord could match in the division.
Peter Bosz recently clocked over 50 official matches in charge of the Eindhoven-based club since taking the reins in June 2023, with the 60-year-old hoping to get his 38th win as Boeren head coach as his troops face a Heracles side he managed to the Eerste Divisie title in 2004-05.
Key Injuries and Absences
Heracles
Heracles remain without the services of their leading marksman from last season, with Jizz Hornkamp still recovering from an injury sustained in May.
The Poupers have also suffered a fitness blow to one of their summer arrivals in the form of Jan Zamburek, who picked up a knee issue during the pre-season schedule.
PSV Eindhoven
After a season-long loan at Philips Stadion last term, Sergino Dest has now secured a permanent switch to PSV, although the American is still a while away from action for his new employers due to a knee injury.
Boeren are short of cover on the left side of their backline owing to the absence of Mauro Junior, who is nursing a minor hamstring strain at the start of this campaign.
Turning 34 at the end of the month, Luuk de Jong is ageing like a fine wine at the tip of the PSV attack and will be confident of netting his first Eredivisie goal of the term against Heracles.
Team News and Probable Lineups
Heracles possible starting lineup:
De Keijzer; Benita, Mirani, Mesik, Wieckhoff; De Keersmaecker, Van Kaam, Talvitie, Scheperman, Limbombe; Engels
PSV Eindhoven possible starting lineup:
Benitez; Ledezma, Flamingo, Dams, Oppegard; Tillman, Schouten, Veerman; Bakayoko, Lozano, De Jong
Match Prediction
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
A Tough Test for Heracles
Heracles will be looking to build on their opening day draw and make Asito Stadion a tough place for visiting teams to get a result. However, they face a monumental task against a PSV side brimming with confidence and attacking talent. The Dutch champions will be looking to continue their winning ways and extend their unbeaten run to three matches. With a strong away record last season and a formidable attacking force, PSV look set to secure a comfortable victory.
