Liam Duckstein
Heracles host Groningen at Polman Stadion on July 8 in what is a familiar Dutch rivalry dressed up in preseason clothing. These two sides have met five times in their last recorded head-to-head fixtures, and Groningen have won four of those meetings. Heracles have not beaten Groningen in any of those five encounters, which gives this friendly a sharp edge despite the low-stakes context.
Groningen midfielder play has been one of their stronger suits in recent months, and keeping an eye on their creative output through the middle will be telling. For Heracles, the attacking unit has struggled badly for goals, and a forward capable of changing that trend will need to step up under Ernest Faber’s watch. Neither side has had a standout last 30 days, with both recording zero matches in that window, so this fixture effectively serves as a competitive warm-up for both camps heading deeper into July.
Hot stat: In their most recent head-to-head meeting, Groningen beat Heracles 2-1, and across the last five clashes between the sides, Groningen have scored 13 goals to Heracles’ 3. That goal difference of 10 in Groningen’s favor is a striking number and hard to ignore when assessing who carries the momentum into this friendly.
| 🏆 Tournament: | International Club Friendly 2026, July Phase |
| 🏟 Venue: | Polman Stadion, Almelo |
| 🗓️ Date: | 08.07.2026 |
| ⏰ Time: | 19:00 CEST |
Heracles vs Groningen Prediction
Groningen are the clear pick here. Their head-to-head dominance over Heracles is not a one-match blip. They have won four of the last five meetings, scored freely in each, and carried a higher world club ranking into this fixture. Heracles sit at 1663 in the global rankings compared to Groningen’s 417, a gap that reflects the genuine quality difference between these two squads right now.
Heracles’ form over their last 15 matches has been poor. They have recorded just one win across 18 matches this year at a 6% win rate. Their recent sequence tells the same story, with losses dominating and only the occasional draw offering any relief. Groningen, by contrast, have managed four wins from 19 matches this year at a 21% win rate, and their recent form shows a more balanced pattern with several wins mixed in. In a preseason context, the better-ranked, more confident side typically asserts itself, and Groningen fit that description.
We predict Groningen to win this match. The value lies with the away side, and given the pattern of high-scoring meetings between these clubs, goals are expected on both ends.
| 🔥Hot Tip: | Groningen to score in both halves |
| ⚽Total Goals: | Over 2.5 |
| 💥Both Teams To Score: | Yes |
| 🎯Total Corners: | Over 7.5 |
Heracles. Source: Official Facebook
Team Analysis
Heracles have been in a difficult stretch. Their last five matches before this friendly produced nothing but defeats, with losses to Groningen (1-2), Telstar (0-3), PEC Zwolle (0-1), Volendam (0-2), and Ajax (0-3). That run of five straight losses without scoring a single goal is alarming. Ernest Faber’s side have been unable to find the net across those fixtures, and the defensive side has conceded 11 goals in that same period. The Telstar result in particular, a 3-0 loss to a side ranked significantly lower than Ajax or Groningen, shows the depth of the problem. This is a team that needs a confidence boost, and a home friendly is the opportunity, but their recent performances do not suggest one is coming easily.
Groningen enter this match off the back of a 2-0 defeat to Ajax, which ended a decent run that included wins over Heracles (2-1) and Nijmegen (2-1). Their earlier loss to Feyenoord (1-3) and a defeat to Excelsior (2-3) show they are not without defensive vulnerabilities. Dick Lukkien’s side have shown they can produce results against Dutch opposition at a similar level, and the wins over Heracles and Nijmegen are the most relevant data points heading into this fixture. Their ability to control matches through midfield and convert chances has been evident in those wins.
Most Recent Head-to-Head Matches
| Statistic | Heracles | Groningen |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 3 | 13 |
🚨Check out our dedicated Heracles vs Groningen stats page for more info.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Groningen the favourite
No bookmaker odds were available for this fixture at the time of writing. Based on the head-to-head record, the world club ranking gap, and recent form, Groningen would be heavy favorites in any market. Heracles’ inability to score in their last five matches makes them a difficult side to back, even at home. The value in this match points toward Groningen and goals.
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Groningen. Source: Official Facebook
TipsGG Match Prediction
Groningen win is the call from our team. The evidence across five head-to-head meetings is consistent: Groningen score goals, Heracles do not. In their most recent clash, Groningen won 2-1, and before that it was 4-0 and 4-1. Heracles have not managed more than one goal in any of those five meetings.
Heracles’ five-match losing streak without a goal scored makes it hard to build any case for them, even at home. Groningen’s form is not perfect, but their wins over Heracles and Nijmegen show they can perform against Dutch opposition. We predict a Groningen win, over 2.5 goals in the match, and both teams to score, with Groningen likely finding the net in both halves based on their recent output in this fixture.
