PSV hosts Heracles Almelo on Saturday in a duel that historically seems to have little suspense. PSV has been unbeaten at home against the club from Almelo for 61 years and is once again in scoring form this season. For its part, Heracles is on a tentative upswing, in which they are unbeaten in the last five games.
The 23 previous meetings in Eindhoven ended in twenty wins for PSV, two draws and only one defeat. That unique loss dates back to November 1, 1964, when Heracles managed to win 0-1. Since then, the Philips Stadium has been an impregnable fortress for the Almeloans. The total goal difference is 67 goals for and 14 against, which amounts to an average scoring rate of almost three PSV goals per match.
The most recent meetings are clearly in PSV’s favor. In 2022 the team won 3-1, in January 2024 it was 2-0 and in May of this year the game ended in a convincing 4-1 victory. That last match will be fresh in the minds of many PSV supporters: it was the afternoon PSV regained the lead after Ajax dropped points earlier in the day against FC Groningen (2-2).
Heracles Almelo
Saturday Ernest Faber returns to Eindhoven, where he was recently appointed PSV’s Member of Merit. The former player, head of youth training and interim coach of PSV is now in charge of Heracles Almelo, which is having a difficult season. The team currently occupies the sixteenth place with fourteen points and especially away from home the results are poor: six of the eight away games were lost, one draw and only one win.
Nevertheless, Heracles starts the match with a little more confidence. The team is unbeaten five games in a row, three of which were won. Defensively, however, it remains unstable: Heracles has already had 37 goals this season, the most of any team in the VriendenLoterij Eredivisie. That compares sharply with PSV, which is the league’s most productive team with 46 goals.
Most prolific PSV players
PSV can count on several players who are in excellent form this season. Ricardo Pepi is proving his worth as an accurate striker with eight goals and two assists, while Joey Veerman is once again showing how important he is for PSV’s midfield. With seven goals and seven assists, he is significant both as a playmaker and finisher. Ismael Saibari is developing into one of the most dynamic players in the selection this season; his ten goals and four assists underline his value within the team. The most prolific PSV player so far, however, is Guus Til, who is a key engine in the attack with twelve goals and three assists.
