NAC Breda vs Heerenveen Predictions

Eight points and nine places separate second from bottom Breda and their guests this weekend,eighth placed Heerenveen, but we’re expecting an end to end, open game of football that should produce plenty of goals. Both teams form heading into Saturday’s game has been inconsistent of late, but the hosts are unbeaten in their last two Eredivisie games and need to pick up points at home if they are to escape the dreaded drop this season.

Last time out Breda managed to earn a draw away at fellow strugglers Zwolle, in a match that both teams will feel they could, and possible should, have won. Zwolle had 56% of the overall possession and managed one more shot on target than their guests, but Breda had more corners and just as many shots during the ninety minutes. Unfortunately for both teams their finishing was just not up to standard with Zwolle having nine shots going off target and Breda having ten, and that’s why the game ended goalless. A point is always a decent result away from home, even more so when you are struggling at the wrong end of the table, and Breda will be keen to build upon their back to back positive results by beating Heerenveen on Saturday.

Heerenveen found themselves 3-0 down at half time in their own backyard against Utrecht last time out and almost made a comeback in the second forty-five. Goals from Bergström, Kerk, and Tannane proved to be Utrecht’s only three shots on target during the ninety minutes, but it was just enough to earn them all three points. Vlap pulled a goal back for the hosts in the sixty-ninth minute and teammate van Amersfoort made it 3-2 with fifteen minutes still left to play, but the hosts could not find that equalising goal. That defeat leaves Heerenveen three points outside the European places and in danger of slipping down three spots in the table if they fail to beat Breda.

The last time these two clubs met hosts Breda ran out 3-0 winners, despite the game remaining competitive throughout the ninety minutes. Two goals inside the opening twelve minutes from Fernandes and te Vrede set Breda on their way to victory, with Pablo Marí scoring the games third and final goal two minutes into the second half. Both sides shared the possession and Heerenveen had plenty of chances of their own to score, but Breda were clinical on the day and deserved their win.

There is nothing to separate the two clubs in the form guide as each has picked up two wins, one draw, and three defeats from their last six Eredivisie games. Breda’s most likely source of goals this weekend is striker te Vrede who scored when the pair last locked horns and has seven league goals to his name this season. 21-year old midfielder Vlap has been very impressive for Heerenveen and top scores with eight goals in the league this season, double the amount he managed in the previous campaign.

We’re confident that over 2.5 goals will be scored and that both teams will score in Saturday’s game and have backed Heerenveen to claim a 3-2 win. Heerenveen have won three of the last five encounters between the pair, and over 2.5 goals were scored the last time they met in April. Both teams scored and over 2.5 goals were produced in three of Heerenveen’s last six and each of Breda’s last three matches, and we’re expecting more of the same this weekend.