NEC Nijmegen and Go Ahead Eagles return to action on Sunday afternoon when they square off in the Eredivisie.

At a time when the visitors sit in fifth position in the standings, their hosts are down in 14th spot, just two points above the relegation zone.

Match preview

After their poor end to 2022-23, NEC were in need of a fast start to the following campaign, but that did not arrive as they lost three of their opening five games.

However, NEC have since responded, even though a large chunk of their games are ending in draws, and it has enabled them to move outside of the bottom three.

Their fixtures have been full of drama and goals, with Rogier Meijer seeing his side score and concede at least three times in their most recent three fixtures in all competitions.

Back-to-back 3-3 draws have been recorded in the Dutch top flight, NEC initially defying a first-half sending off to earn a share of the spoils against FC Volendam in a game that featured three goals in the closing stages.

While that felt like a point gained, it was definitely two lost when NEC gave up a 3-1 advantage over FC Twente before the international break before having to settle for a draw.

From the perspective of Go Ahead Eagles, they continue to be the surprise package - at least in a positive light - in the Eredivisie this season.

After losses to PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord in quick succession, many would have expected Rene Hake's team to fade away, yet the double setback has only made them stronger.

Eleven points have been collected from their last five fixtures in the league, with just the one goal conceded during this run in a 5-1 victory over Vitesse.

Last time out, Go Ahead Eagles posted a 1-0 victory away at RKC Waalwijk, making it their first away win of the season despite their high placing in the table.

Team News

With NEC giving up a lead at FC Twente once substitutions were made, Meijer is likely to stick with the side that started that fixture.

Although Elayis Tavsan is back from a one-match ban, the right-winger may have to settle for a place on the substitutes' bench.

Kas de Wit, Brayann Pereira and Alexis Tibidi all remain unavailable for NEC.

Barring any fitness issues, Hake could also select the same Go Ahead Eagles side from the 1-0 victory over RKC Waalwijk.

Willum Willumsson scored his fifth goal of the season in that contest and should start after representing Iceland during the international break, but Finn Stokkers remains sidelined.

NEC possible starting lineup:
Cillessen; Van Rooij, Ross, Nuytinck, Verdonk; Proper, Schone; Hansen, Mattsson, Baas; Ogawa

Go Ahead Eagles possible starting lineup:
Lange; Deijl, Amofa, Kramer, Kuipers; Linthorst, Rommens; Adekanye, Willumsson, O. Edvardsen; V. Edvardsen

We say: NEC 1-1 Go Ahead Eagles

Although NEC's undefeated streak has comprised of draws, they have still found ways to keep their points tally ticking over. We feel that the international break came at the wrong time for Go Ahead Eagles, leading us to predict a hard-fought draw.


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