H2H: Sparta Rotterdam vs Heracles Almelo – Prediction (Eredivisie

H2H: Rotterdam v Heracles – Comparison.

Lennart Thy has scored from the spot for Sparta in each of his last two games. He has scored four goals across as many career appearances vs Heracles. Silvester van der Water has scored one of Heracles’ three league goals this term, and is the last current player to score away from home, doing so way back in August 2019. Heracles’ woeful scoreless away run extends over six games and 576 minutes.

Sparta Rotterdam Insights.

Sparta Rotterdam showed particularly strong character last time at home, becoming just the second Eredivisie side to avoid defeat when trailing by a four-goal margin. They’ve now avoided defeat when shipping first in five of the last 11 home league games to see them do so (W1, D4, L6). After a surprise draw vs city rivals Feyenoord (Oct 18), Sparta are favourites to defy rock-bottom status, and break their winless Eredivisie run. Across all venues, their record as league match favourites since the start of 2019/20 stands at a fairly impressive: W8, D3, L2. An element of H2H history somewhat devalues the hosts’ ‘favourites’ status however, as Sparta manager Henk Fraser has won just one of his nine career H2Hs with Heracles (W1, D4, L4). Six of the last seven produced under 2.5 total goals, whilst the last two ended goalless.

Heracles Insights.

Heracles Almelo have, nonetheless, fallen to defeat without reply in three of their last four games. Given that both sides have netted in just one of their games so far, the opener could be crucial, especially with the scorer of the first goal going on to win without reply in eight of their last 11 league games. The visitors’ meagre return of two away league victories attained since the beginning of last season is alarming, but both wins saw them lead at HT/FT. However, they have gone 12 winless away games since then, with six of the eight defeats in that time coming at both HT/FT.