Currently separated by one point in the Eredivisie table, NEC and Groningen will do battle at Stadion de Goffert on Sunday afternoon in round 11 of the 2024-25 Eredivisie table.
Both teams recorded KNVB-Beker victories in midweek but were on the receiving end of respective defeats in their most recent league outings in matchday 10.
Match preview
NEC Nijmegen showed great resolve to narrowly edge out PEC Zwolle and secure safe passage into the next round of the Dutch Cup courtesy of a 4-3 triumph in Tuesday's thrilling encounter between the sides.
Koki Ogawa was the star of the show for Rogier Meijer's men as he found the back of the net twice, including a crunch equaliser in normal time and the clincher in extra time a few minutes after Kento Shiogai had put his side 3-2 up.
Consequently, the Eniesee have won two of their last three matches either side of a 1-0 defeat to Almere City on Sunday, when Thomas Ouwejan suffered the agony of putting the ball past his own goalkeeper 11 minutes from time to settle matters.
With 10 points on the board from as many league matches so far, NEC are currently 13th in the standings, just two points ahead of the relegation playoff spot as the first third of the campaign comes to an end.
Having conceded the fewest goals of all the teams in the bottom half (10), Sunday's hosts have often let themselves down at the top end of the pitch, as their tally of 10 goals scored currently ranks fourth-worst in the division.
Looking for a first win since August, Groningen made light work of the challenge of lower league outfit Kolping Boys in Tuesday's cup tie at the AFAS Training Complex, cruising to an emphatic 5-1 victory.
After taking the lead through Stije Resink, Dick Lukkien's men were pegged back by Joreno Mandjes, but not for long as Rui Mendes struck just shy of the hour mark to restore his side's lead, after which Thijs Oosting stole the show with a hat-trick.
That was only a first triumph in nine competitive outings for Trots van het Noorden since picking up 4-1 and 2-1 victories over NAC Breda and RKC Waalwijk respectively to kick off the new campaign on a high.
Groningen's return to the top flight has not gone as planned so far, although they are currently outside the drop zone by three points ahead of their trip to Nijmegen this weekend in search of what would be only a second away league win of the campaign.
Managing just one win from the last six meetings between the teams, Sunday's visitors have not fared well in recent clashes against the hosts and will need to up the ante to stand any chance of coming away with a positive result.
Team News
NEC midfielder Dirk Proper is set to sit out a fifth game on the bounce with a shoulder problem he suffered against Feyenoord towards the back end of September.
This weekend's hosts will also have to make do with the absence of 27-year-old Philippe Sandler, who is yet to fully recuperate from a long-term muscle problem.
Koki Ogawa's double last time out means he has now scored six times for club and country this term, making him one to keep a close watch on here.
Hat-trick hero Thijs Oosting has made only one league start this season, but his goalscoring exploits on Tuesday could see him rewarded with a place in the Groningen XI.
The recipient of four yellow cards already, Leandro Bacuna is walking a suspension tightrope ahead of Sunday's game as he is now just one booking away from a ban.
NEC possible starting lineup:
Roefs; Ouwejan, Nuytinck, Alvarez, Pereira; Sano, Hoedemakers; Onal, Ouaissa, Van Crooy; Ogawa
Groningen possible starting lineup:
Vaessen; Prins, Peersman, Rente, Bacuna; Schreuders, Valente, De Jonge, Hove; Van Bergen, Postema
We say: NEC 2-1 Groningen
Buoyed by their cup wins in midweek, both teams will head into Sunday's game on a high which should make for an exciting contest.
That said, we are backing NEC to make home advantage count and get the job done in the end.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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