Nijmegen vs Go Ahead Eagles – News and Probable Lineups

In a crucial match needed to keep their Champions League aspirations intact, NEC will conclude their 2025–26 Eredivisie season against Go Ahead Eagles on Sunday.

With no significant stakes for the visitors, Go Ahead heads to Stadion de Goffert with minimal pressure, although the opportunity to break a four-match winless streak and finish the season positively remains an intriguing proposition.

Match overview

It was less than a month ago when NEC seemed poised for KNVB Beker success and a top-three finish in the Eredivisie. However, a series of five matches without a win across all competitions has dampened what was anticipated to be an exhilarating season in Nijmegen.

Following a 5-1 loss to AZ Alkmaar in the Dutch Cup final, Dick Schreuder’s team has garnered only two points from a possible nine after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Groningen last time, leaving them fourth in the league, just two points behind FC Twente and only one ahead of Ajax.

A win on Sunday would provide NEC with a chance to climb to third place and secure a spot in the UCL play-offs, a scenario they might consider feasible with Twente visiting the Philips Stadion to face league champions PSV Eindhoven.

Nevertheless, NEC must first focus solely on their own performance. While they enter the weekend eight places and 18 points clear of their rivals, those anticipating an easy match could be in for a surprise: Go Ahead Eagles has remained unbeaten in their last five encounters.

NEC’s recent home performances raise concerns, as they have achieved only one victory in their last six league games at home.

Go Ahead Eagles are without a win in their last four Eredivisie matches, accumulating merely three points during this period, with Sunday’s comprehensive 4-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven marking their first loss in five outings since April 5.

Melvin Boel’s side has only experienced back-to-back defeats once in 2026 and will be optimistic about causing an upset against NEC, as they seek to extend their unbeaten streak over their Nijmegen rivals to a fourth consecutive season after losing both encounters in 2021–22.

Initially climbing to ninth place in the standings after their first 12 matches, the Pride of the IJssel Kowet likely believed they could secure European football for the second year running.

However, an uninspiring second half of the season has extinguished those hopes, although Go Ahead did achieve their three most substantial victories—4-0 against Heracles, 5-0 against PEC Zwolle, and 6-0 against NAC Breda—during that time.

In summary, the 2025–26 campaign could feel lackluster for Sunday’s guests. Conversely, they have managed to spend five consecutive years in the top division without facing relegation for the first time since 1986, reinforcing their position as a firmly established Eredivisie club.