Heracles Almelo vs Fortuna Sittard on 1 February
The Eredivisie is heating up as Heracles Almelo and Fortuna Sittard prepare to face off on February 1st, 2026, in what promises to be an intense encounter. Both teams are sitting at opposite ends of the table, but with much at stake, this match could prove pivotal for both sides as they look to bolster their position in the league. Heracles, with a mid-table standing, are targeting European spots, while Fortuna Sittard, hovering dangerously near the relegation zone, are desperate for points to avoid a season-long scrap for survival. The match will be held at the Erve Asito in Almelo, and while the weather looks clear, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The match will certainly bring out the best of both teams' tactical approaches and individual performances, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown.
Heracles Almelo: Tactical Approach and Current Form
Heracles Almelo come into this match with an impressive recent record, having collected 10 points from their last five matches. Their style of play is built around high pressing and rapid transitions, particularly exploiting spaces on the counter-attack. The team often looks to get the ball into wide areas quickly, utilizing their full-backs and wingers to create overloads and stretch the opposition's defensive structure. This season, they have averaged 54% possession in their recent matches, with a pass accuracy rate of 83%, highlighting their efficiency in build-up play. Their pressing intensity has been one of their standout features, with 15 successful pressing actions per game. However, one weakness remains: they struggle with maintaining possession in the final third, averaging just 2.8 shots on target per game. This could be problematic against a team like Fortuna, who might look to counter that pressing with quick passes and vertical runs.
In terms of personnel, Heracles’ midfield dynamo, Ibrahim Kone, has been the engine of their system. His ability to break up opposition attacks and transition play has been vital to Heracles' recent success. With 3 assists in their last five matches, he’s one to watch for creating key passes and linking the defensive and offensive lines. Heracles will miss the services of veteran defender Giovanni Troupée, who is sidelined with an injury. His absence could affect their defensive stability, especially on set pieces where he is a key aerial threat. Heracles will look to their prolific forward, Yassin Ayoub, to continue his solid form up top, as he remains crucial in converting half-chances into goals.
Fortuna Sittard: Tactical Approach and Current Form
Fortuna Sittard are in a dire position, with just 4 points from their last five matches, and their tactical setup has been one of the primary reasons for their struggles this season. They tend to adopt a more conservative approach, focusing on a compact 4-4-2 defensive shape and trying to frustrate their opponents with organized, disciplined defending. However, they have struggled to create consistent offensive opportunities, averaging just 43% possession and a low 75% pass accuracy. Fortuna rely heavily on counter-attacks, but their execution has been lacking, as shown by their average of 1.3 shots on target per game. Their biggest threat comes from winger Zian Flemming, who is capable of unlocking defenses with his pace and dribbling skills. The team also looks to capitalize on set pieces, with central defender Leandro Kargbo being a major aerial presence in the box.
Fortuna's attacking unit will be boosted by the return of forward Samuel Adegbenro, who missed their last match due to suspension. His pace and directness could be crucial in exploiting any space left by Heracles’ high defensive line. With a goal-scoring return to fitness, Adegbenro’s link-up play with Flemming will be key to Fortuna’s hopes of finding the back of the net. Adegbenro's direct dribbling and ability to beat defenders in one-on-one situations could expose Heracles' defenders if they’re caught out of position. However, Fortuna will be without experienced midfielder Alex Mendez, who remains sidelined with a knee injury. His absence robs Fortuna of much-needed creativity in the middle of the park.
Head-to-Head: History and Psychology
In their last five encounters, Fortuna Sittard have had the edge over Heracles Almelo, winning three of the matches and drawing two. The most recent fixture saw Fortuna Sittard secure a 2-1 victory, with Heracles failing to respond after going behind in the second half. Historically, these matches have been tightly contested affairs, with Fortuna often taking advantage of Heracles' defensive lapses. However, Heracles have been much improved this season under their new manager, and they’ll be looking to put a stop to Fortuna’s recent dominance. In fact, Heracles will be hoping to make a statement at home, especially given their current push for a top-half finish and European qualification. Fortuna, on the other hand, will be desperate to avoid defeat, as another loss could see them slip further into the relegation zone.
Key Battles and Critical Zones
The key battle in this match will likely be in the midfield, where Heracles’ high press will come up against Fortuna’s deep-lying, counter-attacking system. Ibrahim Kone will have a significant role to play in breaking up Fortuna’s play and preventing their dangerous wingers, especially Flemming, from exploiting space on the break. Kone’s positional awareness and ball-winning abilities will be crucial in stifling any counter-attacks and ensuring Heracles can maintain a solid defensive shape.
Another critical battle will be between Heracles’ full-backs and Fortuna’s wingers. With both teams looking to exploit the flanks, Heracles’ defensive stability will be tested by the pace of Adegbenro and Flemming. Fortuna’s wingers will look to stretch Heracles’ back four, which can sometimes be vulnerable to pace and direct running. The battle between the wingers and full-backs will likely decide which team controls possession in the wide areas, and ultimately, the tempo of the match.
Match Scenario and Prediction
Given both teams' current form, the match is likely to follow a pattern where Heracles dominate possession and put pressure on Fortuna’s backline, while the latter will look to defend deep and hit on the counter. With the absence of Mendez in midfield for Fortuna and Troupée for Heracles, both teams will need to rely on their remaining key players to step up. Heracles will have the upper hand, especially at home, where their high pressing game could overwhelm Fortuna’s disjointed attack. While Fortuna will look to keep it tight and potentially nick a goal on the counter, Heracles' attacking quality, spearheaded by Ayoub, should be enough to see them over the line. Expect Heracles to edge a 2-1 victory, with both teams finding the net.
Final Thoughts
The clash between Heracles Almelo and Fortuna Sittard is a high-stakes encounter for both teams, and the tactical battle will be fascinating to watch. Heracles will look to impose their attacking game on Fortuna, while the latter will hope to exploit any space left behind by the hosts' high defensive line. This match will answer the question: Can Fortuna Sittard survive Heracles' high press, or will the hosts extend their unbeaten run and push towards the European spots?
