NEC Nijmegen vs Go Ahead Eagles Predictions

There can be no doubt that NEC vs Go Ahead Eagles is the standout fixture of match day seven in Eerste Divisie, as the 3^rd placed hosts look to overhaul the visitors at the top of the league. Go Ahead have been a revelation so far this term after a disappointing 2017/18 campaign, but will their bubble burst at Goffertstadion this Friday?

Just a single point currently separates these sides at the head of affairs and with only one automatic promotion spot up for grabs this season, Friday’s result could be absolutely crucial in determining who takes pole position in the race to reach the Eredivisie.

Go Ahead Eagles lead the way at the moment, and they fully deserve to be where they are after winning five of their opening six league outings.

Eagles endured a torrid season in 2017/18 on their return to the Dutch second tier, finishing a lowly 17^th after losing 50% of their games. No one really expected them to challenge this term, but the appointment of former Heracles boss John Stegeman, combined with some shrewd summer acquisitions, has led to a dramatic turn-around in their fortunes.

A surprise 3-2 defeat to Jong AZ aside on match day five, Go Ahead have been pretty faultless in notching 15 points from a possible 18, and they responded brilliantly to that reversal last week by overcoming reigning champions Jong Ajax 2-1 at De Adelaarshorst, courtesy of strikes from prolific pair Thomas Verheydt and Richard van der Venne, who already have nine goals between them this term.

Go Ahead face their sternest test of the season to date though this Friday, against an unbeaten NEC side who are notoriously difficult to beat at home.

NEC haven’t lost at Goffertstadion since the 2016/17 campaign, and that’s why they are odds-on favourites to land the spoils this Friday, despite the fact they’re hosting a very accomplished team.

Jack De Gier’s side have won four and drawn two of their six league fixtures this season, but they have had a couple of unconvincing results over the last fortnight.

They turned in a really messy display against Jong PSV at home on match day five, tossing away a two goal lead and only just salvaging a 4-4 draw in the dying seconds, and last week they barely managed to see off strugglers Helmond Sport, but eventually ran out 2-3 winners at SolarUnie Stadion.

This is a tough one to call, with NEC difficult to oppose based on their home advantage and unbeaten streak in Nijmegen, however Go Ahead have clearly been the more impressive of the two sides across the first half dozen matches of the campaign.

One key thing to note is that both teams have scored in the last six meetings between the sides, with over 2.5 goals also a feature in four of those clashes. Over 2.5 goals and both teams to score has also featured in four of the last five Eerste Divisie fixtures for both teams this season, so that’s our confident bet here with a 2-2 score line fancied as well.