Preview:RKC Waalwijk vs. Heracles - prediction, team news, lineups

Looking to pull further away from the relegation zone, RKC Waalwijk welcome Heracles to the Mandemakers Stadion on Sunday.

On the other hand, the away side will be aiming to avoid another defeat to their hosts after they lost 1-0 in October's reverse fixture.

Match preview

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Waalwijk were victorious for the first time in 11 Eredivisie matches courtesy of their 1-0 triumph over bottom club Emmen on Friday.

Prior to that, Fred Grim's men last won a league game in December when they overcame VVV-Venlo, coming from behind in the second half to win 3-2.

What followed was a barren run of form which saw them pick up only four of the next 30 available points and as a result, they currently find themselves hovering just above the drop zone.

Friday's victory could not have come at a better time for RKC, who have now moved six points clear of Willem II and ADO Den Haag albeit having played an extra game.

Heracles were beaten 2-0 by Ajax on Saturday, putting an end to their four-match unbeaten streak that yielded 10 points from a possible 12.

The league leaders were simply too good for their hosts on the day, and the points were sealed thanks to a brace from Sebastien Haller, who continues to enjoy life at the Johan Cruyff ArenA.

Frank Wormuth's men have dropped to 11th place in the Eredivisie table as a result of the defeat, but they are only five points away from the top seven.

Despite that aforementioned loss in the reverse fixture, the Heraclieden have enjoyed the better of recent meetings between the sides.

Sunday's visitors have lost on just one of their last five visits to Waalwijk, and they have won 10 of the last 15 in general.

RKC Waalwijk Eredivisie form:

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Heracles Eredivisie form:

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Heracles form (all competitions):

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Team News

Heracles' Giacomo Quagliata picked up his fifth yellow card of the season last time out, and he will be unavailable for the game due to suspension.

Jeff Hardeveld is expected to be handed his 13th league start of the season and a fourth since the turn of the year in Quagliata's absence.

Rai Vloet missed a penalty in October's clash at the Erve Asito, but he is still his side's top scorer, so he will be relied upon once again to lead them to victory.

Cyril Ngonge was enjoying a fine start to his Waalwijk career before he suffered a muscle tear against Fortuna Sittard that has sidelined him since December.

Fred Grim will also be without Morad El Haddouti, who had proven to be a useful option off the bench prior to the ankle injury he picked up in November.

RKC Waalwijk possible starting lineup:

Lamprou; Quasten, Touba, Meulensteen, Bakari; Azhil, Van Der Venne, Tahiri; Oosting, Stokkers, Daneels

Heracles possible starting lineup:

Blaswich; Hardeveld, Propper, Rente, Breukers; Schoofs, Azzaoui, De La Torre; Van De Water, Vloet, Burgzorg

We say: RKC Waalwijk 1-1 Heracles

The home side are unbeaten in three league games, while their visitors have lost only one of the last five. We expect a close game and a share of the spoils in this one.