VVV Venlo and Heracles get the Eerste Divisie season underway in what has historically been a goal-laden fixture, with the last five meetings all producing at least three goals. Heracles return to the second tier with a squad that still carries quality from their time in the…
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Sign inVVV Venlo kick off their Eerste Divisie campaign against Heracles Almelo on Friday, 7 August 2026, as both sides look to set the tone for a promotion-chasing season in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie.
Heracles, who dropped out of the Eredivisie last season, are determined to bounce back immediately under manager John Lammers. The Almelo outfit carried a distinct top‑flight pedigree into the second tier and will view an instant return as non‑negotiable. VVV Venlo, meanwhile, have been steadily rebuilding since their last Eredivisie appearance in 2021 and are eager to improve on consecutive mid‑table finishes. Both clubs regard the opening round as a chance to stamp early authority on a division where a strong start often shapes the promotion picture.
Head coach Rick Kruys has embedded a high‑pressing, possession‑oriented style, with the energetic Joep Kluskens pulling strings in midfield. Kluskens, whose late runs from deep were a feature of Venlo’s play last term, will again be asked to bridge defence and attack. Behind him, goalkeeper Delano van Crooij provides a reliable last line; his distribution is key to launching quick transitions. The hosts are likely to field a fluid front three designed to overload wide areas when possession is secured in the opposition half.
Lammers’ side prioritises verticality and direct counter‑strikes, relying on the physical presence of striker Jizz Hornkamp to hold up the ball and finish chances. Heracles are expected to defend in a compact mid‑block before springing Hornkamp and supporting runners into space. The pace of their wide forwards gives them an outlet to punish any Venlo over‑commitment, a tactic that proved effective even during the club’s recent Eredivisie spell.
The duel between Heracles’ leading marksman and VVV’s experienced goalkeeper is set to be a decisive sub‑plot. Hornkamp’s instinctive movement inside the box will test van Crooij’s command of his area, while Venlo’s centre‑backs must cut off the supply lines that feed the striker. If van Crooij can organise his backline to deny clear sights of goal, the home side’s control in midfield may tip the contest.
A first‑day victory for either side would inject genuine momentum into a long season. For Venlo, a home win signals they are serious about escaping the mid‑table logjam; for Heracles, three points on the road would underscore their credentials as frontrunners in the promotion race.
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