Separated by just one point in the table, NEC and Ajax are in action at Stadion de Goffert on Saturday as the 2025-26 Eredivisie season reaches its midway point.
The teams have been in good form of late and will both be confident of coming away with maximum points in their final outing of the year.
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NEC vs Ajax prediction: De Godenzonen to continue winning streak
Key stats
- Ajax have won each of their last five matches.
- NEC are currently unbeaten in six games, although they have also conceded in each of their last five affairs.
- Seven of the hosts' last nine matches have yielded fewer than five bookings; the same can be said for seven of the visitors' most recent eight outings.
Correct score prediction: NEC 1-2 Ajax
Ajax have scored 18 goals in five matches since the start of December, during which they have conceded a paltry five goals in comparison.
Still, the Amsterdam-based outfit will be expecting a stern test in Nijmegen, but we fancy them to come out in flying colours at the end of the 90 minutes.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Little to choose between sides
- HOME: 5/4 (2.25) – 44.4%
- DRAW: 29/10 (3.90) – 25.6%
- AWAY: 17/10 (2.7) – 37%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
NEC have picked up the second-most points in the Eredivisie over the last five gameweeks and are narrow favourites to wrap up 2025 on a high this weekend with a 44.4% chance of winning.
Dick Schreuder's men made light work of lower-league side Amsterdamsche in Tuesday's KNVB Beker tie, making it five wins and a draw from their last six matches.
Similarly, Ajax were also victorious on cup duty in midweek, running out 7-2 winners over Excelsior Maassluis.
Frde Grim's men have now won five matches on the bounce for the first time since February, although their chances of making it six consecutive wins appear somewhat slim given their 37% win probability.
For more from the upcoming matches, today’s free football betting tips look at some of the best picks.
Most recent H2Hs: NEC aiming to build on first win in two decades
After going 20 years without a victory in this fixture, NEC cruised to a 3-0 triumph over Ajax in the most recent encounter back in May.
Saturday's hosts will now set out in search of consecutive wins over their visitors for the first time.
Netherlands Eredivisie 11/05/25
Ajax
NEC
Netherlands Eredivisie 01/12/24
NEC
Ajax
Netherlands Eredivisie 18/02/24
Ajax
NEC
Netherlands Eredivisie 03/12/23
NEC
Ajax
Netherlands Eredivisie 05/03/23
Ajax
NEC
NEC preview: Jasper Cillessen could make return against former club
Cillessen has not featured for NEC since October, but the goalkeeper is nearing a comeback and could be in the side this weekend.
However, Youssef El Kachati, Freek Entius and Bram Nuytick are all expected to miss out.
Predicted lineup: Crettaz (GK), Kaplan, Sandler, Dasa, Ouaissa, Sano, Nejasmic, Onal, Chery, Linssen & Ogawa
NEC's last five matches:
- AFC 1-3 NEC (KNVB Beker)
- Telstar 2-2 NEC (Eredivisie)
- Volendam 2-3 NEC (Eredivisie)
- NEC 3-1 Sparta Rotterdam (Eredivisie)
- Feyenoord 2-4 NEC (Eredivisie)
Ajax preview: Kenneth Taylor to continue spell on the sidelines
After taking part in each of Ajax's first 14 league matches of the season, Taylor has missed the last four games across all competitions through injury.
The midfielder is also on course to miss Saturday's game and will be joined out of action by Steven Berghuis, James McConnell, Josip Sutalo and Wout Weghorst.
Predicted lineup: Jaros (GK), Wijndal, Baas, Bouwman, Regeer, Steur, Itakura, Klaassen, Godts, Dolberg & Bounida
Ajax's last five matches:
- Excelsior M 2-7 Ajax (KNVB Beker)
- Ajax 2-0 Feyenoord (Eredivisie)
- Qarabag 2-4 Ajax (Champions League)
- Fortuna 1-3 Ajax (Eredivisie)
- Ajax 2-0 Groningen (Eredivisie)
Player to watch – Mika Godts
Setting up Owen Wijndal's opener in Ajax's KNVB Beker victory on Wednesday, Godts is now up to 14 direct goal contributions in 21 appearances for the season.
This is the same as his tally from the entire last season in 26 fewer games this time around, as the 20-year-old continues to flourish in the first team since gaining promotion.
Godts's six Eredivisie goals and as many assists are both team-highs, and he is definitely one to keep an eye on here.