NEC Nijmegen
- NEC Nijmegen are 4th in the Eredivisie on 28 points from 16 games, one point behind 3rd-placed AFC Ajax, ahead of their critical Dutch top-flight showdown on Saturday.
- NEC Nijmegen are unbeaten in five Eredivisie matches (W3, D2).
- Dick Schreuder took over as head coach of NEC in July 2025 and has installed a sophisticated possession-based 3-4-2-1 system that starts from the back, but with a lot more tempo than the traditional Dutch style.
- Kento Shiogai is an excellent creative outlet and top scorer for NEC with seven goals in 11 Eredivisie games, while he has four goals in NEC’s last five matches.
AFC Ajax
- AFC Ajax have won their last four matches in all competitions.
- Fred Grim took over as Ajax’s head coach in November 2025, but has continued the traditional Ajax way of playing with a high tempo.
- He can adjust between 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 systems and demands quick ball circulation, central overloads and aggressive pressing to disrupt opponents and create fast break opportunities.
Head-to-Head
- NEC stung Ajax by taking a shock 3-0 win away from home in Eredivisie 2024/2025, but Ajax have three wins in the last five head-to-head meetings.
- NEC Nijmegen are winless in their last two home games against Ajax.
Key Players
- Kento Shiogai is an excellent creative outlet and top scorer for NEC with seven goals in 11 Eredivisie games, while he has four goals in NEC’s last five matches.
- Oscar Gloukh is a creative engine for the Amsterdam club and has three assists in Ajax’s last five games, helping them to a 4-2 win at FK Qarabag in the Champions League and a 2-0 victory over Feyenoord in their most recent Eredivisie fixture.
Betting Insights
NEC are favorites at 2.32 with the bookmakers, with Ajax listed at 2.79 and the draw at 3.97 .
Prediction
Given the potency of both attacks and both teams’ recent goalscoring form, Over 2.5 goals looks like a good option at 1.36 .
