We don't have confirmed formations or coaches from the brief – that's the honest truth. But we can paint the likely picture. Heracles, under their usual setup, tend to favour a compact 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3, looking to press high and win the ball in dangerous areas. They're not a side that sits deep; they want to force errors and break quickly. VVV, on the other hand, often set up in a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3, but their recent friendly suggests defensive fragility. They'll likely try to stay organised, but if they concede early, the shape can crumble.

The midfield battle will be key. Heracles' double pivot – whoever that is – will look to control the tempo and feed the wide men. VVV's full-backs will be tested. If Heracles get their wingers one-on-one, they'll cause chaos. Set pieces could also be a factor; Heracles are typically strong in the air, and VVV's zonal marking has been suspect in recent seasons. Expect Heracles to dominate possession and territory, forcing VVV to defend deep and hit on the counter. That's a game state that suits the away side – they can be patient, then strike.