- League positions: NEC Nijmegen are 10th in the Eredivisie 2026-2027 with three points from two matches. Excelsior Rotterdam are 9th with the same points tally.
- Head-to-head: NEC have won four of the last five head-to-head matches (Excelsior the other), no draws. No draws in NEC's two Eredivisie 2026-2027 matches so far.
- Recent form: NEC have won their last two matches, but Excelsior have four wins and just one defeat in their last five games.
A classic press vs counter clash
NEC Nijmegen are the favorite for this game, which is being held at Stadion De Goffert, at 1.4, Excelsior Rotterdam are 6.2 and the draw is 5.1. NEC have the home field advantage, but the visitors are no mugs and will make this a competitive game.
Dick Schreuder's NEC have started the Eredivisie 2026-2027 campaign with zero draws and one defeat after a solid season opener. However, the Nijmegen outfit are currently on a two-match winning streak after trouncing Willem II 4-1 away and coming back to win 2-1 in extra-time at Olympiakos Piraeus FC in UEFA Champions League qualifying.
Excelsior Rotterdam are unbeaten away from home, winning once in their one away match so far, while NEC have lost one at home. So, the visitors can keep this competitive.
NEC the likelier winner, but Excelsior will not give up easily
NEC are the likelier winners here as they are the more dynamic team at both ends of the field with an aggressive system, but they have been conceding too many goals at home. Excelsior should be good enough to make the stats tell the story as a close contest.
There has been no sign of a Dutch defensive resurgence in the Eredivisie 2026-2027 and NEC's record of 1.00 goals per game scored and 2.00 goals per game conceded at home is no exception. Excelsior have already hit four away goals in 2026-2027 and they have the quality in the final third to seriously trouble NEC's back line.
BTTS a better option than the odds suggest
Tactical approaches
NEC will need to play on the front foot for most of the game to break the visiting team down and that means that Excelsior's defensive structure will be under pressure for a long time.
- NEC are a high-tempo team which plays a 3-at-the-back system that relies on the wing-backs pushing up, the high press and lots of fast, vertical combinations.
- Excelsior are set up to be more pragmatic, which is evident in the different approaches of their two coaches.
- Ruben den Uil's team are happy to sit in a compact, flexible shape and wait for their moments to pounce on a counter attack when gaps open up.
Recent trends and goals
NEC have averaged 4.0 goals per home match against Excelsior across their last five meetings, so there is a recent trend of action here. Both teams to score is 1.6 in this clash between a pressing side and a counter-attacking one, and there should be plenty of chances to go around for both teams to get on the board.
