NEC Nijmegen vs FC Volendam Predictions

Both sides are in mid-table at present, but NEC and Volendam are moving in completely the opposite direction. After four wins and three draws from their first seven matches, NEC have fallen to 10^th having won just two of their last nine, whilst Volendam are now unbeaten in nine after failing to win any of their first seven fixtures. The form book points to three points for the visitors then in Nijmegen this Friday, but can Hans De Koning’s side keep their brilliant run going?

Volendam supporters were hoping for a change of fortune when Hans De Koning replaced Misha Salden at the start of October, and they haven’t been let down so far.

De Koning has made a fabulous impact at the club, and his team are looking more confident and assured by the week. Palingboeren extended their unbeaten streak to nine on match day 15, and although they had to be patient at Kras Stadion against Jong Utrecht, they ultimately won a shade cosily as second half goals from Robin Schouten and Anthony Berenstein secured a 2-0 success.

That was Volendam’s fifth win amidst their unbeaten run, and De Koning’s side are now up to 12^th in the table heading into this week’s clash with NEC in Nijmegen. Another victory here for Palingboeren could lift them into the top half, and they’ll soon have loftier ambitions with just six points separating them from the Play-off places.

Nonetheless, Friday’s fixture represents a tougher test for Volendam who have recorded just one of their five wins on the road, and they’ve shared the spoils with bottom side Helmond Sport (2-2) and 16^th placed FC Eindhoven (1-1) during the past few weeks – form which leaves the potentially vulnerable at Goffertstadion.

That said, NEC haven’t maintained the excellent form they showed in Nijmegen last season where they went unbeaten throughout the campaign, and Jack De Gier’s men have in fact won just two of their eight home fixtures this term.

Whilst Volendam have been shooting up the standings, NEC have been in freefall having won two, drawn two and lost five of their last nine games, and last week’s dismal 1-0 loss at RKC was their third defeat in five.

It leaves De Gier’s side in 10^th going into match day 16, and a further loss here would see the Nijmegen outfit overtaken by Volendam in the table and potentially other teams as well with Telstar, Jong Ajax and MVV not far behind.

So with all things considered, it’s difficult to make a strong case for either team this Friday and a draw definitely looks like the most likely result, with NEC drawing 50% home matches this season and Volendam unbeaten in their last four away.

The visitors have never won in Nijmegen from nine attempts which also deter us from supporting them here, but a stalemate will go down as a decent result for Volendam as going ten without loss will be some achievement.

The hosts will probably also take a point as they seek to steady the ship, and it could be quite a cagey affair with 1-1 the most likely final score.