Nijmegen vs Go Ahead Eagles – News and Probable Lineups

NEC Nijmegen will face off against Go Ahead Eagles at the Goffertstadion in Nijmegen this Sunday during the seventh round of the Eredivisie.

Dick Schreuder’s team currently holds the 10th position in the Eredivisie standings, accumulating seven points from their first six matches, and have unfortunately conceded eight goals without scoring in their last two games. Meanwhile, Joseph Oosting’s Go Ahead Eagles are sitting in ninth place with nine points, following two consecutive draws.

Match overview

NEC enters this match after suffering a 3-0 defeat away against Cambuur in their last league game, during which Ilyes Hamache netted twice, followed by a stoppage-time goal from Iwan Henstra.

That match was succeeded by a 5-0 loss in the Europa League at the hands of Juventus, where NEC managed 497 passes with an impressive 91% success rate, but only managed two shots on target from a total of 11 attempts.

The trend in both fixtures was similar: a high defensive line was frequently vulnerable, while the forwards failed to capitalize on their possession.

NEC has not found the back of the net in their last two matches, which notably coincides with uncertainty regarding the fitness of winger Clement Bischoff, a player who has previously been a key creative force for the team.

Club captain Tjaronn Chery remains the top scorer for NEC with three league goals, and the team has been awarded two penalties this season, the highest in the division.

Dick Schreuder’s squad reached the Champions League qualifying rounds during the summer, and the resulting fixture congestion has left them with a lack of squad depth as September progresses.

In their last match, Go Ahead Eagles ended in a 1-1 draw at home against Groningen, where they delivered 35 crosses and managed to equalize through Soren Tengstedt in the 82nd minute.

Stefan Sigurdarson then squandered a clear opportunity to secure a victory late in that match, which highlighted a broader issue for Go Ahead Eagles, who create many chances but often fail to convert.

Prior to this draw, Oosting’s squad played out a 3-3 thriller against FC Utrecht and suffered a heavy 5-2 defeat at AZ Alkmaar, sandwiched by a 3-1 home victory over ADO Den Haag.

Tengstedt stands out in the division, leading the scoring charts with five goals and two assists, demonstrating his knack for finding space between defenders.

Victor Edvardsen was instrumental in the draw against Groningen, crafting seven chances himself, showcasing his vital role in linking the midfield and forward line of Go Ahead Eagles.

Despite their attacking prowess, Go Ahead Eagles have conceded 13 goals over six matches, meaning they have often relied on outscoring opponents instead of securing clean sheets.

Captain Joris Kramer stabilizes the back four in front of goalkeeper Kjetil Haug, and his ability to distribute the ball effectively from deeper positions has become a critical aspect as Go Ahead Eagles aim to handle pressure through football rather than playing around it.

Team News

Emre Mor is sidelined due to a groin injury and is not expected to return until mid-October, while Deveron Fonville is also out with an ankle injury until early October.

Ahmetcan Kaplan is a doubt with a knee issue and is being assessed on a daily basis, while pre-match updates have also mentioned Clement Bischoff as a potential fitness concern following the match in Turin, although this has not been officially confirmed by NEC as of now.

For Go Ahead Eagles, Oosting will once again be without Gerrit Nauber, who is still nursing a leg injury, being evaluated daily for his return.

Pim Saathof remains out with a knee issue, but Oosting generally has a stable squad to choose from.

NEC probable starting XI:

pad; Kabar, Storm, Sandler; Tahaui, Geiger, Nejasmic, Thomas; Chery, Tadic; Ornamental house

Go Ahead Eagles probable starting XI:

Bunch; Sampsted, Dirksen, Kramer, James; Meulensteen, Linthorst; Tengstedt, Edvardsen, Suray; Sigurdarson

NEC has shown enough attacking quality through Chery and Tadic to pose a challenge to most Eredivisie defenses, yet conceding eight goals without scoring in two matches indicates that a defensive solution will be necessary before Sunday arrives.

Similarly, Go Ahead Eagles have not achieved a clean sheet in six league encounters, suggesting that an open match is the most likely scenario. Tengstedt’s impressive tally of five goals and two assists provides the visitors with a sharper attacking edge.

The home advantage and NEC’s own attacking abilities might well see them find the net from either Chery or Tadic, but Go Ahead Eagles’ more consistent finishing could be decisive in a closely contested, high-scoring affair.