Heracles vs Excelsior - Friendlies Clubs

There is a notable edge to this Friendlies Clubs fixture. When Heracles meet Excelsior at the home ground on July 24, 2026, both will sense an opportunity to land a telling blow. Chelsea take on Serie A giants Juventus in Hong Kong this morning in the latest fixture on their pre-season tour of Asia.

The two sides arrive with plenty to prove, and the Friendlies Clubs contest at the home ground offers a chance to lay down a marker. The hosts will be looking to find their rhythm and put a run of results together. The visitors will back themselves to cause problems and will not make the trip expecting an easy afternoon. Teams are more likely to allow a defender to bring the ball up the pitch than a winger playing in a far more advanced position.

Stylistically, this is a compelling matchup. Heracles favour a patient, possession-based approach, whereas Excelsior are at their most dangerous when allowed to hit quickly on the counter. It meant City had a three-man defence of Josko Gvardiol, Abdukodir Khusanov and Ruben Dias when in possession.

Game-changers are scattered across both line-ups, and the contest may well be decided by which side's match-winners deliver on the day. Whoever wins the individual duel between the two sides' chief playmakers is likely to dictate the rhythm and, ultimately, the destination of the points. The Lille midfielder excelled in his fledgling role at his first major international tournament, particularly noticeable in a group-stage bout with Brazil.

The fixture has the feel of a coin-flip, and picking a winner with any conviction would require a braver pundit than most. A share of the spoils looks the most probable outcome, with neither side holding a decisive edge — a 1-1 draw feels like a fitting result. More than just three points is on the line at the home ground — this is a fixture that could shape the narrative of both clubs' seasons. In terms of outgoings, Perri seems closest to an exit, but that will likely have to wait until Trafford's mandated holiday after the World Cup is over or a No 2 arrives.