Heracles vs NEC Nijmegen: Prediction for the Match on May 18, 2025

Heracles vs NEC Nijmegen: Prediction and odds on the Match on 18 May 2025

Nijmegen hope to finish the season with a chance to play in Europe next season when they travel to the Asito Stadion on Sunday, 18 May 2025. Four of the last five games between Heracles and NEC Nijmegen resulted in both sides finding the back of the net. Can this game follow that direction? Below, I have the team news, possible starting lineup, head-to-head stats, interesting facts, betting tips, and odds.

Heracles: form and statistics

Heracles suffered a 4-1 loss to PSV in their last game, extending their losing run to three in their last four games. They were able to secure a 2-1 win over Willem II during this period. Prior to this run, they were unbeaten in five straight games and are still unbeaten in 13 of their last 15 games at home. Poupers sit 14th on the table with 38 points in 33 games, scoring 41 goals and conceding 61. They are 13 points above the drop zone, and that is the only thing they celebrate this season.

Heracles: Lineup

Heracles will be without the service of five players for this game, with Bryan Limbombe, Nikolai Laursen, Justin Hoogma, Sava-Arangel Cestic, and Jordy Bruijn ruled out of this game due to injuries. However, the coach is expected to use a 3-4-3 formation.

🔖 Heracles starting lineup (3-4-3)

Goalkeeper – Fabian de Keijzer

Defenders – Mimeirhel Benita, Damon Mirani, Ivan Mesik, Mats Rots

Midfielders – Brian De Keersmaecker, Jan Zamburek, Juho Talvitie, Thomas Bruns, Suf Podgoreanu

Attacker — Jizz Hornkamp

⛔️ Out: Bryan Limbombe (inactive), Nikolai Laursen (knee injury), Justin Hoogma (inactive), Sava-Arangel Cestic (ankle injury), Jordy Bruijn (inactive).  

👤 Head coach: Erwin van de Looi

Heracles Latest Games

Heracles

20.12.25

Heracles

0 - 3

Heerenveen

13.12.25

PSV Eindhoven

4 - 3

Heracles

06.12.25

Heracles

1 - 1

Telstar

29.11.25

Fortuna Sittard

1 - 1

Heracles

22.11.25

Heracles

4 - 2

Go Ahead Eagles

08.11.25

Excelsior

1 - 2

Heracles

02.11.25

Heracles

8 - 2

Zwolle

25.10.25

Volendam

3 - 0

Heracles

19.10.25

Heracles

0 - 7

Feyenoord

08.10.25

Heracles

1 - 3

Fortuna Duesseldorf

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NEC Nijmegen Latest Games

NEC Nijmegen

20.12.25

NEC Nijmegen

2 - 2

Ajax

13.12.25

Telstar

2 - 2

NEC Nijmegen

07.12.25

Volendam

2 - 3

NEC Nijmegen

29.11.25

NEC Nijmegen

3 - 1

Sparta Rotterdam

23.11.25

Feyenoord

2 - 4

NEC Nijmegen

09.11.25

NEC Nijmegen

2 - 0

Groningen

02.11.25

FC Utrecht

1 - 0

NEC Nijmegen

25.10.25

Zwolle

2 - 2

NEC Nijmegen

18.10.25

NEC Nijmegen

3 - 3

FC Twente

05.10.25

Go Ahead Eagles

1 - 1

NEC Nijmegen

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NEC Nijmegen: form and statistics

Nijmegen secured a 3-0 win over NAC Breda in their last game to extend their unbeaten run to three games. On the road, they have managed three wins in their previous 12 games in all competitions. NEC sit 8th on the table with 40 points in 33 games, scoring 49 goals and conceding 45. They need to secure a win in this match to confirm their place in the continental playoffs, regardless of other league results.

NEC Nijmegen: Lineup

Nijmegen will be without three players here due to injuries, with Dirk Proper, Koki Ogawa, and Bram Nuytinck ruled out. Coach Rogier Meijer will continue with his 4-3-3 formation that will have Robin Roefs between the woodworks, and Ivan Marquez and Philippe Sandler are expected to partner at the back.

🔖 NEC Nijmegen starting lineup (4-3-3) 

Goalkeeper – Robin Roefs

Defenders – Brayann Pereira, Ivan Marquez, Philippe Sandler, Calvin Verdonk

Midfielders – Kodai Sano, Sami Ouaissa, Lars Olden Larsen

Attackers — Sontje Hansen, Kento Shiogai, Thomas Ouwejan

⛔️ Out: Dirk Proper (head injury), Koki Ogawa (injury), Bram Nuytinck (knee injury). 

👤 Head coach: Rogier Meijer

Heracles vs NEC Nijmegen: head-to-head statistics

History of Head-to-Heads

Eredivisie 2025/2026

16.08.25

Heracles

1 - 4

NEC Nijmegen

Eredivisie 2024/2025

18.05.25

Heracles

1 - 2

NEC Nijmegen

KNVB Cup 2024/2025

18.12.24

Heracles

1 - 0

NEC Nijmegen

Eredivisie 2024/2025

21.09.24

NEC Nijmegen

1 - 2

Heracles

Eredivisie 2023/2024

03.02.24

NEC Nijmegen

3 - 1

Heracles

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Heracles vs NEC Nijmegen: Betting Tips & Odds

• Nijmegen have won three of their last five games against Heracles. 1xBet offers 2.75 for the visitors to win;
• Four of the last five games between Heracles and NEC Nijmegen resulted in both sides finding the back of the net. 1xBet offers 1.533 odds for this game to follow suit;
• More than two goals were scored in Heracles' last four games. This market is available at 1.69 odds on 1xBet.

1X2 DC Handicap O/U BTTS CS O/E HT/FT

Main Time (3) 1st Half (3) 2nd Half (2)

	W1	X	W2
	2.66	2.79	3.19
	2.30	3.50	2.95
	2.34	3.60	3.00

Heracles vs NEC Nijmegen match prediction 18 May 2025

Heracles already know their fate this season, and it is good for them to avoid relegation. However, Nijmegen are still fighting hard to get a continental playoffs spot, which will be their motivation to fight hard for all three points here. With a win, NEC will earn a spot in the Conference League playoffs. However, I expect goals from both sides of the net because both sides are used to scoring in each other’s net.

Our match prediction: Over 2.5 goals for a coefficient of 1.69 in the 1xBet bookmaker.

Our betting tip on the match: Both Teams to Score for a coefficient of 1.60 in the Bet365 bookmaker.

Our final betting tip on the match: A win for the visitors at a coefficient of 2.70 in the Betway bookmaker.