Heracles Almelo Strengthen Their Grip on Top Spot After 5-1 Rout of Roda JC
Heracles Almelo took a major step toward strengthening their position at the top of the Keuken Kampioen Divisie with a convincing 5-1 victory over Roda JC Kerkrade. The result became even more valuable when closest challengers VVV-Venlo were held to a 1-1 draw by Jong PSV, leaving Heracles six points clear at the summit.
The latest round offered plenty for fans to discuss: a costly goalkeeping performance in Almelo, a dramatic late winner for FC Volendam, and several tight contests in which one moment proved decisive. For supporters following the promotion race, the results also sharpen the focus on the season’s biggest question: which clubs can maintain their form when the pressure rises? Any football prediction about the final standings remains uncertain, but Heracles have given themselves a significant advantage.
Heracles Almelo 5-1 Roda JC Kerkrade
Heracles made the perfect start after an early mistake from Roda goalkeeper Justin Treichel. He lost his footing while in possession, allowing Tristan van Gilst to collect the loose ball and finish into an unguarded goal. Roda responded by converting a penalty to restore parity, but the visitors struggled to contain Heracles thereafter.
Treichel was unable to hold a long-range effort, and Jean-Paul N’Djoli reacted quickest to turn in the rebound. N’Djoli then added another goal as Heracles began to take control. Van Gilst completed his own brace after capitalising on a further error from the Roda goalkeeper, beating him at the near post. The home side’s fifth goal capped a dominant display and made the scoreline a clear reflection of the difference between the teams on the night.
Beyond the three points, the result gives Heracles a welcome boost in goal difference and confidence. Roda, meanwhile, will need to address the defensive mistakes that transformed a competitive opening into a heavy defeat.
VVV-Venlo 1-1 Jong PSV
VVV-Venlo missed the chance to keep pace with Heracles after drawing with Jong PSV. The visitors took the lead in the 39th minute when Amir Bouhamdi met a cross from the right and headed the ball home.
VVV increased the pressure after the break and found an equaliser in the 66th minute. Edhy Zuliani delivered an excellent cross from the right flank, and Ismail Oulad M’Hand was on hand to head in from close range. Neither side could find a winner, leaving VVV with a point and Heracles with a six-point cushion at the top of the table.
The draw will feel like a missed opportunity for VVV, although recovering from a first-half deficit showed resilience. Jong PSV, for their part, earned a useful result against one of the division’s leading sides.
FC Dordrecht 0-0 NAC Breda
FC Dordrecht and NAC Breda shared the points in a goalless encounter that was more notable for its physical edge than its attacking quality. Fouls and confrontations repeatedly interrupted the flow, while yellow cards added to the tension.
The match was also briefly halted after cups were thrown onto the pitch. Neither team managed to turn the disrupted contest into a decisive scoring opportunity, and the defences ultimately had the final say. The clean sheets may please both sides, but the lack of goals leaves room for improvement in the final third.
Helmond Sport 2-3 FC Volendam
FC Volendam edged a lively five-goal contest, with Henk Veerman delivering the decisive finish late in the match. Volendam went ahead shortly before half-time when a Lovro Golic own goal put the visitors in front.
Helmond responded after the break through Xander van de Velde, whose superb strike made it 1-1. Volendam regained the lead when Precious Ugwu found space in the penalty area and finished unmarked. Michel Ludwig brought Helmond level again with a deflected effort that took an unexpected path toward goal, but the hosts could not hold on for a point.
Veerman settled the contest with an intelligent touch, steering the ball in with the outside of his foot to make it 3-2. The result underlined Volendam’s ability to keep finding answers in an open game, while Helmond will rue defensive lapses that allowed the visitors to score three times.
Jong AZ 1-3 Almere City
Almere City claimed an important away win after combining fast counter-attacks with sharp finishing. Ferdy Cruyff opened the scoring by completing a well-executed first-half break. Druijff then had an opportunity to extend the advantage, but Jong AZ remained within reach.
The hosts drew level after the interval when Jasper Hartog’s free-kick took a heavy deflection and left the goalkeeper with little chance. Almere restored their lead seven minutes later: Byron Burgering reacted quickly in the penalty area and finished at the near post. Marley Dors then completed the scoring following another incisive counter-attack, sealing a 3-1 victory.
Almere’s pace in transition proved crucial. Jong AZ showed they could create danger from set pieces, but the home side struggled to deal with the visitors’ direct attacks once the match opened up.
FC Eindhoven 0-3 Jong Ajax
Jong Ajax earned a comfortable victory after taking advantage of an error during FC Eindhoven’s build-up. A quick passing move created an opening for Emre Ünüvar, who scored at the second attempt after the initial effort was not enough to beat the defence.
Levi Acheampong doubled the advantage in the second half, finishing the rebound into an empty net. Diego Pugno then converted a penalty to complete the 3-0 win. For Jong Ajax, the result offered a strong return from an organised performance; Eindhoven will look back at the opening mistake as a costly turning point.
TOP Oss 1-1 RKC Waalwijk
TOP Oss and RKC Waalwijk shared the points after both teams found the net from familiar attacking situations. Maurilio de Lannoy gave TOP the lead in the 23rd minute, finishing a rapid counter-attack into the bottom-left corner.
RKC levelled in the 58th minute when Jesse van de Haar headed home from a corner. TOP manager Sander Duits responded by adopting a more attacking approach, but goalkeeper Havekotte made several important saves to prevent the visitors from taking the lead. Van de Haar came close to scoring again in the 77th minute, only to head narrowly wide.
What the Results Mean for the Promotion Race
Heracles’ emphatic win was the headline result of the round, particularly because VVV’s draw extended the gap between the two clubs to six points. That margin gives the leaders breathing room, but the season is not decided: consistency, squad depth and performances in head-to-head fixtures can still reshape the table.
Volendam and Almere City also collected valuable victories, while Jong Ajax impressed with a three-goal away win. As the Keuken Kampioen Divisie campaign continues, the competition remains difficult to call. The clearest football prediction for now is that Heracles have placed themselves in a strong position—but their rivals will be watching closely for any sign of a slip.
