Groningen vs NAC Breda Predictions

Both Groningen and Breda suffered defeats last weekend, but Groningen only narrowly lost 1-0 away at Feyenoord while Breda were beaten 3-0 in their own backyard by Ajax. Both of these teams sit in the relegation zone heading into their match against one another on Sunday, but with two more points to their name it’s Groningen who sit higher in the Eredivisie table.

Feyenoord took a very early lead against Groningen last weekend when Toornstra scored in the seventh minute and many expected the flood gates to open at that point, but Groningen regrouped well and remained disciplined. Just one goal separated the two teams at the break and in the second half Feyenoord continued to control the game, but failed to increase their tally any further. Unfortunately for Groningen, despite putting in a decent display, they never really looked likely to score and only had 39% of the overall possession.

Groningen are likely to take plenty of positives from their narrow defeat in Rotterdam last weekend, and will be hoping to return to winning ways against the divisions bottom club on Sunday. Japanese youngster Doan continues to top score in the league for Groningen this season with three goals to his name, but Morocco’s Mahi is just one goal behind on two. Mahi provides the main creative force in the hosts squad having setup three goals already this season, and Breda will need to play close attention to the winger on Sunday.

With five league goals to his name, te Vrede top scores for the visitors this season, but former Feyenoord front man has failed to score in his last two appearances for the club. Ilić, Nijholt, and Rosheuvel have all chipped in with two goals each so far, and it is the latter with four assists that has provided the teams creative spark from midfield.

However, there was nothing any of the Breda players could do to stop Ajax last weekend, and it was one of their own that gave the visitors a helping hand as Mashart scored an own goal in the fortieth minute to hand Ajax a half time lead. Ajax brought Labyad on at the break and within nine minutes the Moroccan scored to make it 2-0 and a third goal from another of the visitors subs Huntelaar wrapped up a convincing 3-0 win.

Ajax had 72% of the overall possession against Breda, as well as more shots and more corners and thoroughly deserved the three points after a dominating display. We’re obviously expecting a much closer game this weekend between two teams that have struggled in the league this season and are certainly in danger of being involved in a relegation battle if their form doesn’t turnaround in the second half of the season.

We’re confident that Groningen will win and that both teams will score on Sunday, with the final scoreline reading 2-1. Groningen have won three of their last six matches against Breda, and both teams have scored in four of the last six matches between the pair. Both teams have scored in three of Groningen’s last five matches, as well as in four of Breda’s last six matches and we expect both teams to score on Sunday.