Sunday afternoon will see an 11th vs 12th clash, as Willem II welcome NEC Nijmegen. Read on for our Willem II vs NEC predictions and more.
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Willem II vs NEC prediction: Can the home side break a habit?
Key facts:
- Neither side has been free scoring, with only five and three goals in their last five respective matches.
- NEC have not lost to Willem II in 10 matches.
- However, NEC have just one point from their last five matches.
Correct score prediction: Willem II 1-1 NEC
As the league table would suggest, there has been little to split these two sides this season, and we think that theme will continue into this match.
Willem II come into this one in better form, and have home advantage, but NEC seem to always get the better of them in recent years, so we foresee a stalemate in Tilburg.
Pre-game odds and win probability: NEC edge it
- HOME: 19/10 (2.90) – 34.5%
- DRAW: 9/4 (3.25) – 30.8%
- AWAY: 7/5 (2.40) – 41.7%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
The bookmakers' expected winner in this clash is NEC. The away side have odds of 7/5, which produces an implied 41.7% likelihood of victory.
Feel free to take a look at our football betting tips page to check out our other predictions and tips!
Recent H2Hs: Willem II's NEC hoodoo
Willem II have struggled to get the better of NEC for several seasons now. They have lost three and drawn two of their last five meetings.
Netherlands Eredivisie 22/12/21
Willem II
NEC
Netherlands Eredivisie 12/09/21
NEC
Willem II
Netherlands Eredivisie 15/01/17
Willem II
NEC
Netherlands Eredivisie 25/09/16
NEC
Willem II
Netherlands Eredivisie 17/01/16
NEC
Willem II
Willem II preview: In the midst of an injury crisis
Willem II are enjoying a strong return to the top flight after two seasons away, with the Tilburg club currently sat 11th in the table.
However, their comfortable position could become threatened by a deep injury crisis. They will be without seven first team players for this one, including top scorer Kyle Vaesen.
They are still in better form than their visitors, with two Eredivisie wins in their last five, but alarm bells will be ringing after their KNVB Cup exit to Noordwijk.
Predicted lineup: Didillon (GK), Behounek, St. Jago, Schouten, Doodeman, Bosch, Lachkar, Joosten, Sigurgeirsson, Meerveld, Bokila
Netherlands Eredivisie 09/05/25
L
Heracles
2
Willem II
1
Netherlands Eredivisie 03/05/25
D
NEC
1
Willem II
1
Netherlands Eredivisie 27/04/25
L
Fortuna Sittard
1
Willem II
0
Netherlands Eredivisie 13/04/25
L
Ajax
2
Willem II
1
Netherlands Eredivisie 04/04/25
L
Heerenveen
3
Willem II
1
NEC preview: Can they turn it around on a happy hunting ground?
NEC will be hoping to draw on their strong historic performances against Willem II for this fixture, as their recent form has been wanting.
August and November were very profitable for NEC, but December has been most fallow, and the Gelderland club are winless in their last five.
Last weekend's 1-1 draw with struggling Sparta Rotterdam is a worrying development in their form.
Predicted lineup: Roefs (GK), Pereira, Sandler, Marquez, Verdonk, Sano, Proper, Hansen, Ouaissa, Onal, 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
Player to watch: Jeremy Bokila
The absence of top scorer Willem II's top scorer Vaesen through injury has afforded a fresh opportunity to veteran Congolese striker Jeremy Bokila.
The 36-year-old scored last time out against Noordwijk in the Cup, and netted the winner against NAC Breda a few weeks ago.
Bokila averages an impressive 0.68 goals per 90 minutes since joining Willem II back in 2022. Could he be the hero on Sunday afternoon?