Match preview: two contrasting rhythms meet at De Herdgang
Jong PSV return to Sportcomplex De Herdgang on 12/12/2025 hoping to repair the damage of last week’s heavy defeat, while Almere City travel north on the crest of a lively run of results. The fixture reads like a classic Eerste Divisie encounter: a young, attack-minded PSV side that can be brittle at the back against an Almere team that arrives with confidence and an appetite for chances. Jong PSV sit fourth in the table after 19 matches and have shown they can score — 37 goals in the campaign — but their recent 4-0 reverse to FC Eindhoven underlines a vulnerability that Almere will try to exploit. Almere City are eighth with 26 points and bring a streak that includes several high-scoring wins; their last outing produced a 3-2 victory over Jong Ajax where Milan de Haan earned plaudits.
Tactical themes and form lines to watch
This game is likely to hinge on two clear themes: tempo and finishing. Almere average more shots and corners per game than Jong PSV and their attacking numbers suggest they will not be content to sit back. Jong PSV’s home numbers show potency going forward but a tendency to concede — they have let in 35 goals so far — and their most recent form is patchy. Both teams have produced plenty of goal action this season; over 2.5 goals has landed consistently in both sides’ matches, and the underlying shot counts favor an open game. The young PSV side can spring forward quickly, but Almere’s sharper edge in recent weeks makes them dangerous on the break and from set plays. The H2H earlier this season saw goals too, with Jong PSV taking a 4-2 win in September; that result shows neither side is immune to defensive lapses or explosive attacking spells.
Players and moments likely to decide the tie
Individual names from recent matches give narrative context: Ayodele Thomas stood out for FC Eindhoven in that 4-0 rout of Jong PSV, while Milan de Haan was the standout performer for Almere in their last win. Those performances highlight how quickly the match narrative can swing — a potent finisher or a defensive error can change the complexion of this fixture inside 45 minutes. Expect both teams to chase the game at different stages, and anticipate set-pieces and transitional play to be decisive.
Betting is as much about timing as it is about selection; if you’re looking to refine your approach there are useful reads on broader strategies such as Soccer betting tips and the choice of markets and, more generally, perspectives on league dynamics like How the interference of billionaire investors in football clubs messes with the betting.
Betting suggestion Given the attacking profiles, recent form, and the strong over-2.5 record for both sides this season, the clearest value play for this fixture is the goal market: back Over 2.5 goals. The statistical signals — high percentages for over 2.5 in both teams’ matches, elevated shot counts and Almere’s forward momentum — point to a lively, goal-heavy evening at De Herdgang.