VVV-Venlo and Heracles Almelo meet on Friday, August 7, 2026, in an Eerste Divisie fixture that gives both teams an early opportunity to set a positive tone. Heracles return to the second level after collecting 19 points across 34 Eredivisie matches last season, while VVV-Venlo are looking to improve on a campaign in which they finished 13th, six points short of the play-off places. The available Eerste Divisie ranking lists VVV-Venlo in 12th and Heracles in seventh. Neither side enjoyed a convincing build-up to this encounter, with both recording three defeats across their latest five matches. Their defensive numbers also suggest that preventing chances could be as important as creating them.

VVV-Venlo Recent Form and Key Statistics

VVV-Venlo began their preparation with a 2-2 draw against De Treffers before recording a 2-1 victory over Leuven B. That result was followed by three consecutive defeats: 5-3 against Viktoria Köln, 1-0 against Fortuna Köln and 3-2 against KAS Eupen on August 1. Their latest five-match record therefore stands at one win, one draw and three defeats.

The scoring figures show that VVV-Venlo have still carried a threat despite those disappointing results. They averaged 1.8 goals scored per match during that five-game sequence, but an average of 2.4 goals conceded highlights the difficulty they have experienced at the other end. The three goals scored against Viktoria Köln and the two registered against KAS Eupen were not enough to avoid defeat, underlining how costly their defensive record has been.

Several longer-term trends provide a clearer picture of their matches. At least one team failed to score before half-time in each of VVV-Venlo’s last 21 home games, including their previous 20 home fixtures in the Eerste Divisie. The same outcome occurred in 30 of their last 31 matches overall and in 29 of their previous 30 league games. In addition, under 1.5 first-half goals was recorded in 18 of their last 20 home matches.

The pattern changes after the interval. At least one second-half goal was scored in each of VVV-Venlo’s last 13 home fixtures and in their previous 12 Eerste Divisie home games. Across all venues, the second half produced a goal in 26 of their last 27 matches, including 25 of the latest 26 in this competition. These numbers point toward games that have frequently developed after a restrained opening period.

Heracles Almelo Recent Form and Key Statistics

Heracles Almelo return to the Eerste Divisie following relegation from the top flight. Their preparation offered mixed results. They lost 3-0 to SC Telstar and 2-1 to FC Groningen, then responded with a 2-1 victory against Groningen. A 2-0 result against FC Emmen also went in their favour, but their most recent outing ended in a 5-3 defeat against Excelsior on July 24.

That sequence gives Heracles a record of two wins and three defeats from their last five matches, with no draws. They averaged 1.6 goals scored and 2.2 conceded per game. As with VVV-Venlo, their attacking output has been accompanied by a high rate of goals allowed, and the eight-goal match against Excelsior was the clearest recent example.

The away statistics reinforce that concern. Heracles have conceded at least once in each of their last 21 away matches, while they allowed a goal in 29 of their previous 30 fixtures across all venues. At the same time, more than 1.5 total match goals were recorded in 20 of their last 21 away games and in 37 of their latest 40 matches overall.

Goals have regularly appeared in both halves of their away fixtures. At least one first-half goal and at least one second-half goal were scored in 20 of Heracles’ previous 21 away matches. A second-half goal was also recorded in 37 of their last 40 games overall. Another notable trend is that Heracles were behind at half-time in 10 of their last 12 away matches, giving them a clear incentive to avoid another difficult start on the road.

VVV-Venlo vs Heracles Almelo Match Analysis

The recent results leave this contest finely poised. VVV-Venlo have home advantage but enter the match after three successive losses, while Heracles have won twice in their latest three outings despite suffering a heavy defeat in the most recent one. The five-match averages are also close: VVV-Venlo scored 1.8 and conceded 2.4 per game, compared with 1.6 scored and 2.2 conceded by Heracles.

The strongest shared theme is defensive vulnerability. VVV-Venlo conceded 12 times across their last five matches, based on their average, while Heracles’ long sequence of conceding away from home shows how difficult clean sheets have been for the visitors. The available goal trends indicate that the second half could be particularly significant. VVV-Venlo’s home games have consistently produced goals after the break, and the same is true of almost all recent Heracles away fixtures.

The opening period may offer a contrast between the teams’ respective patterns. VVV-Venlo’s matches have repeatedly featured at least one side failing to score before half-time, whereas 20 of Heracles’ last 21 away games contained a first-half goal. Heracles have also often trailed at the interval on their travels. How those opposing trends interact could shape the match, especially if the hosts are able to take advantage of the visitors’ record of slow away starts.

Previous meetings add another competitive element. From the five-match head-to-head summary provided for VVV-Venlo against Heracles Almelo, VVV recorded three wins and two defeats, with no draws. They averaged 2.0 goals scored and 2.4 conceded in those encounters, while the latest meeting ended 3-1 on February 10, 2023. With both teams arriving after uneven preparations and carrying high recent concession rates, efficiency in each penalty area is likely to be decisive.