It might be early in the Eredivisie season, but a few teams are already battling to clear the dreaded drop zone. NEC Nijmegen and Heerenveen are two of these teams, and they are set to face off this Saturday. Let’s have a look at the way this game could go.
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NEC vs Heerenveen prediction: Score draw on the cards between these two
Key stats
- NEC have conceded 9 goals in 8 games this season
- Heerenveen have scored in their last 3 Eredivisie games
- NEC has scored in every home game this season
- Heerenveen haven’t won an away game so far in the 24/25 Eredivisie season
Correct score prediction: NEC 1-1 Heerenveen
With no clear winner here, but with both teams clearly able to find the back of the net, we believe a 1-1 scoreline could materialise. Furthermore, both teams are very similar in terms of ability and recent form.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Bookies backing NEC
- HOME: 10/11 (1.91) – 52.40%
- DRAW: 11/4 (3.75) – 26.70%
- AWAY: 27/10 (4.10) – 24.40%
NEC seem to be heavily favoured for the win here with a 52.40% chance of victory as per the latest odds. However, Heerenveen appears to be overlooked with just a 24.40% probability. That said, these odds seem unfairly skewed in favour of NEC.
Check out our football betting tips page if you’d like more predictions for the weekend’s football.
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Most recent H2Hs: Relatively balanced
In their last five meetings, NEC have managed to secure two wins over Heerenveen. These came by score lines of 2-0 at home and 1-0 away. As for the other three games, Heerenveen earned a single 3-2 win away from home over NEC while the other two games finished as draws.
This still gives NEC a slight edge based on the last five, as they have two wins vs just one for Heerenveen.
Netherlands Eredivisie 10/03/24
NEC
Heerenveen
Netherlands Eredivisie 07/10/23
Heerenveen
NEC
Netherlands Eredivisie 06/05/23
NEC
Heerenveen
Netherlands Eredivisie 04/09/22
Heerenveen
NEC
Netherlands Eredivisie 13/02/22
Heerenveen
NEC
NEC preview: Struggling in 16th place
NEC has taken two wins from eight Eredivisie games this season, but these were a fair while ago. In fact, they last picked up an Eredivisie win in August. And for their last four games, they’ve lost three and drawn one.
Predicted Lineup: Cillessen (GK); Van Rooij, Nuytinck, Verdonk; Schone, Hoedemakers; Rober, Sano, Hansen; Ogawa
Netherlands Eredivisie 11/05/25
W
Ajax
0
NEC
3
Netherlands Eredivisie 03/05/25
D
Willem II
1
NEC
1
Netherlands Eredivisie 27/04/25
L
Heerenveen
1
NEC
0
Netherlands Eredivisie 11/04/25
W
RKC
1
NEC
2
Netherlands Eredivisie 06/04/25
L
Sparta Rotterdam
2
NEC
0
Heerenveen preview: Avoiding the drop zone by the thinnest of margins
Heerenveen also have two wins from eight, but both of these wins came at home. They’ve actually lost every away game this season, although they haven’t faced a team as weak as NEC on the road so far. That said, we’re not sure they have enough in the tank to steal a win here.
Predicted Lineup: Van der Hart (GK); Kohlert, Bochniewicz, Hopland, Braude; Olsson, Conde; Sebaoui, Brouwers, Trenskow; Rallis
Netherlands Eredivisie 10/05/25
L
RKC
3
Heerenveen
1
Netherlands Eredivisie 27/04/25
W
NEC
0
Heerenveen
1
Netherlands Eredivisie 19/04/25
W
Almere City FC
1
Heerenveen
2
Netherlands Eredivisie 12/04/25
L
Sparta Rotterdam
3
Heerenveen
1
Netherlands Eredivisie 04/04/25
W
Willem II
1
Heerenveen
3
Player to watch – Luuk Brouwers (Heerenveen)
Brouwers is the second best scorer for Heerenveen in the Eredivisie this season. And since Heerenveen will be missing their top scorer, Nicolaescu, on Saturday, Brouwers will be looking to step up and make his mark.
Of course, this means NEC could make extra efforts to try and contain Brouwers, which should make the game interesting!