NEC Nijmegen vs Helmond Sport Predictions

Monday night’s clash against Jong PSV was a must win affair for NEC, and the Nijmegen outfit managed to land their first away success in 12 under the guidance of new boss Ron de Groot thanks to goals from Jonathan Okita and the prolific Ferdy Druijf. The result keeps NEC’s hopes of reaching the Play-offs intact, and they will be looking to make up further ground on the top nine this Friday when they entertain second bottom Helmond Sport at Goffertstadion.

A change of manager often sparks a short term improvement and that’s just what happened to NEC on match day 33. Caretaker Manager Ron de Groot took charge of his first game against Jong PSV in Eindhoven following the dismissal of Jack De Gier last week, and NEC raced into a 0-2 lead at half time against the side currently sitting 5^th in Eerste Divisie.

A late Frank Sturing own goal meant it was a nervy final few minutes for the Nijmegen club, but they held on to secure a vital three points which takes them back up to 14^th in the standings and just about keeps them in touch with the Play-off places.

NEC are still four points behind the top nine with five matches of the regular season to go, but they know that they could well sneak in if they manage to win their remaining fixtures. That’s an extremely tall order for a side who have been inconsistent throughout the campaign, but the presence of new boss de Groot may just spark the revival needed to get them over the line.

And NEC should gain some further momentum this Friday at Goffertstadion with a win over lowly Helmond Sport. The visitors are without a victory on the road all season after five draws and 11 defeats from 16 and they have lost 11 of their last 14 Eerste Divisie outings overall following Friday’s 1-3 home defeat to Jong Ajax.

NEC themselves succumbed to Jong Ajax 1-2 when they last turned out in Nijmegen a fortnight ago, but they had previously won four on the spin at home including crushing 5-0 beatings of Almere City and Den Bosch.

A return to that kind of form here would make the hosts far too strong for Sport, and we’re backing them to cover a one goal handicap this Friday. Sport have lost their last six away on the bounce with four of those defeats settled by a three goal margin, whilst five of NEC’s last six home victories have been by a two goal margin or more.

This wager enhances NEC’s odds for simply winning the game to around the even money mark, and we’re also predicting a 3-0 correct score in their favour.