NEC Nijmegen vs Telstar Predictions

NEC and Telstar finished 3^rd and 6^th respectively in Eerste Divisie last season, so the fact they currently sit 15^th and 16^th in the table 20 games in underlines just how much both sides have struggled in this campaign. NEC have now lost their last four after a 3-2 defeat at FC Eindhoven last week, whilst Telstar have won just one in seven following their disappointing 1-1 draw with Helmond Sport. Who can gain a vital three points when the two teams face off at Goffertstadion this Friday night?

NEC appeared to be on course to start the New Year with a victory at FC Eindhoven last week as new man Ferdy Druijf bagged his 15^th goal of the campaign from the penalty spot to put them 1-2 up at Jan Louwers Stadion with half an hour to go, but NEC’s defensive woes continued as they surrendered two late goals to go down 3-2.

The arrival of Druijf on loan from AZ Alkmaar will be a huge boost for NEC for the remainder of this term, but they simply have to tighten up at the back if they’re going to salvage anything from their ailing season. Jack De Gier’s side have conceded nine in their last four league outings which have all ended in defeat, and they’ve shipped 36 overall in their 20 Eerste Divisie fixtures thus far.

The result in Eindhoven means that NEC have now slumped to 15^th in the table, and defeat to Telstar this Friday would see them fall one place further with the IJmuiden outfit moving above them in the standings.

NEC will view this fixture as an absolute must win, and they will at least take some confidence into the game based on their head to head record against Mike Snoei’s men.

NEC have won four and lost one of five previous meetings between the teams including a resounding 0-3 success in October’s reverse fixture – and that has to weigh on the minds of the visitors going into this one.

Telstar returned from the festive period with a tepid and flat display against lowly Helmond Sport in IJmuiden, with Senne Lynen’s injury time strike salvaging an underwhelming 1-1 draw, and boss Snoei is firmly under pressure after picking up just one win from seven.

With Telstar two points behind NEC and six behind the top nine, defeat here in Nijmegen would see the IJmuiden outfit become detached in the Play-off race, and that may signal the end of the road for Snoei and his backroom staff.

It’s difficult to confidently side with either team here based on their recent form and the fact they’ve lost 11 games apiece this season, but NEC definitely hold the advantage after their easy triumph in the reverse fixture.

Nonetheless, we want to bolster their match betting odds of around 4/6, so we’re going with a home win and both teams to score. NEC have kept just two clean sheets from 20 matches this term whilst Telstar have netted in eight of their last ten league fixtures, so we think this has a realistic chance of landing at a decent price. NEC are rarely a team to get behind these days, but we think they’ll find some respite here and run out 3-1 winners  at the expense of their fellow strugglers.