Heracles Almelo vs Excelsior Rotterdam

It doesn't get much bigger in the bottom half than this. Heracles sit rock bottom of the Eredivisie on 18 points, eight adrift of 15th-placed Excelsior, making tonight at the Asito Stadion a genuine relegation six-pointer. Neither side brings much confidence into this one. Heracles have managed just one draw in five, shipping 12 goals including a 4-0 hammering at AZ. Excelsior are on a five-game losing streak themselves, most recently falling 2-1 at Feyenoord. Heracles are without suspended Lequincio Zeefuik and several injured players including Jeff Reine-Adélaide, putting the creative burden on Ajdin Hrustic and Naci Ünüvar. Excelsior's main threat is top scorer Noah Naujoks with eight goals, while keeper Stijn van Gassel leads the Eredivisie in saves per match. Two teams starved of confidence rarely produce fireworks — this has nervy, low-scoring affair written all over it. Our prediction: 1-1