NEC Nijmegen vs Twente Predictions

• NEC took four points from Twente last season.
• Both teams scored in NEC’s final three games last term.
• FC Twente have a Champions League qualifier with Salzburg on the horizon

Back both teams to score at Goffertstadion

The new Eredivisie seasons kicks off this weekend and Twente face a tricky trip to NEC Nijmegen in the opening round of games.

Twente finished in third spot last term, 16 points ahead of their hosts who came in sixth, and that secured a place in Champions League qualifying.

However, NEC had a good record against the visitors last season with four points from the two meetings and Twente’s involvement in Europe could work against them here.

The visitors have a home leg against RB Salzburg on the horizon and they have a one-goal deficit to recover in that tie.

That may well take some of their focus, while NEC’s full concentration will be on this game, but as Twente were decent travellers last season both teams to score rather than a home win is the main bet. There were goals at both ends in NEC’s final three games last season and there have been goals at both ends in each of Twente’s last six competitive games, including a 2-1 loss in Austria in UCL qualifying.

I do feel NEC could pull off a minor upset and that is reflected in a correct score pick of a 2-1 win for the hosts. Twente’s focus will be on Salzburg, and the hosts were a tough side to beat in Nijmegen last term with 28 points from 17 games. They scored on average 2.05 goals per-game at home last term but also conceded 1.5 at Goffertstadion, so a 2-1 win looks about right.