NEC (home team)
- NEC are flying high at the moment and, after their 4-1 home victory over Heracles Almelo, are second in the Eredivisie with 41 points from 21 matches.
- NEC have won all of their last five matches across all competitions, including their last three at home.
- Dick Schreuder has overseen a remarkable change in the style of play for the hosts since his appointment in July 2025.
- The players are far more patient in possession, building from the back and using their centre-backs and defensive midfielders to control the tempo.
- This, coupled with a solid build-up pressing structure, allows the 3-4-2-1 formation to develop into a 3-1-5-1 in which central overloads are created and the ball is passed through the thirds in a structured way.
- Kento Shiogai is their top scorer with seven goals in 12 Eredivisie appearances, while Victor Jensen has five in eight.
- NEC have averaged 2.90 goals for and 1.40 goals against per Eredivisie home game this season.
FC Utrecht (away team)
- FC Utrecht have failed to win any of their last three away games (D1, L2).
- FC Utrecht are 13th in the Eredivisie with 24 points from 20 games.
- They failed to return from the Netherlands’ international break in good fashion, drawing 1-1 away to SC Heerenveen.
- They have won only one of their 10 Eredivisie away games (D4, L5) and are a big underdog for this fixture.
- Jans’ 4-2-3-1 sides have focused on width, transitions and crossing as their primary means of creating chances.
- Souffian El Karouani is the creative engine in this team, racking up nine assists in 18 Eredivisie games.
Head-to-Head
- Utrecht have won three of the last five meetings between these sides, with NEC claiming two.
- There are no draws on record between the teams in those five meetings.
Key Players
- Kento Shiogai is their top scorer with seven goals in 12 Eredivisie appearances.
- Victor Jensen has been the clinical presence with five goals in eight.
- Souffian El Karouani has contributed nine assists in 18 Eredivisie games.
Betting Insights
- NEC have won their last three Eredivisie home games, while Utrecht have failed to win in their last three away games, making the odds of 1.84 for the home team look very appealing.
- Over 2.5 goals at 1.65 suggests the oddsmakers are anticipating an open, attacking game in which NEC are heavily favoured to win.
Prediction
- NEC Nijmegen are red-hot favourites.
- Expect an open game and consider Over 2.5 goals as a realistic option.
