Nijmegen vs Volendam – News and Probable Lineups

NEC and FC Volendam will conclude round 26 of the 2025-26 Eredivisie season with a clash at Goffertstadion on Sunday evening.

Both sides are vying for crucial points, albeit for differing motives: the home team is aiming for a top-three finish, while the visitors are focused on avoiding relegation.

Match overview

On track for their highest league finish ever and competing in the KNVB Beker final, few teams have surpassed expectations like NEC this season.

Dick Schreuder’s squad ended a four-match winless streak with a nail-biting 3-2 victory over PSV in Tuesday’s semi-final, adding yet another remarkable chapter to what has been an impressive campaign.

The cup final next month marks NEC’s most significant fixture left in the season. However, they will be keen to secure another league victory this weekend, potentially moving to third place if Ajax does not secure all three points against Groningen.

Having already defeated Volendam twice this season, NEC is confident about making it three in a row and extending their winning streak against them to four matches, the last time they faced off ending in a 3-3 draw in November 2023, which is the only occasion in the last eight meetings where Volendam avoided defeat.

With 61 goals scored, only league leaders PSV (73) have netted more in the Eredivisie, but defensive weaknesses have hampered NEC’s progress, having conceded 43 goals in 25 outings, tied for the most among top-half teams.

After facing relegation fears at the beginning of February, Volendam has crafted a commendable run, securing three wins and a draw from five league matches to regain their footing.

Amidst those Eredivisie fixtures, they suffered a KNVB Beker elimination at the hands of NEC, but Rick Kruys’s team will be pleased to have pulled five points clear of the relegation zone after a gritty 3-2 victory over Groningen, thanks to Robert Muhren’s dramatic 98th-minute goal.

While Het Andere Oranje can take encouragement from their recent form, they remain cautious about how swiftly circumstances can shift in a relegation battle, stressing the need to maintain consistent performances.

Despite occupying a lower position in the table by ten places, Volendam has conceded fewer goals than NEC; however, it’s unlikely the visitors will depend on their defense for a clean sheet given they’ve gone 11 matches without one.

Volendam has also allowed the first goal in six of their last seven matches – a trend that will be significantly challenged by opponents who are known for starting strong, scoring eight times in the first 15 minutes of matches this season.

Team News

Gonzalo Alejandro Crettaz missed NEC’s win over PSV due to injury and is not anticipated to recover in time for the weekend’s match.

Nineteen-year-old Freek Entius is also still recovering from a knee injury, further limiting the home team’s goalkeeping options.

After a challenging first season in Nijmegen, Bryan Linssen currently boasts 15 direct goal contributions in 26 matches this term, making him a player to monitor closely.

Brandley Kuwas and Benjamin Pauwels were both substituted due to injuries in Volendam’s 3-2 success over Groningen, raising doubts about their availability for Sunday.

Additionally, long-term absentees Anthony Descotte (hamstring) and Henk Veerman (ankle) will remain sidelined, while Gibson Yah (knee) and Nordin Bukala (muscle) are also out.

NEC probable starting XI:

Cillessen; Pereira, Kaplan, Fonville; Ouaissa, Sano, Nejasmic, Onal; Chery, Linssen, Ogawa

FC Volendam probable starting XI:

Van Oevelen; Leliendal, Verschuren, Amevor, Ugwu; Van Cruijsen, Kwakman, Kokcu; Ould-Chikh, Muhren, Oehlers

With their second cup final in three years bringing them momentum, NEC approaches Sunday’s match with great enthusiasm.

While Volendam has displayed signs of improvement lately, it is expected that the visitors may struggle against the hosts, who should secure a convincing win.