Preview: NAC Breda Hosts NEC in Eredivisie Clash

BREDA, Netherlands (Interstat) — A pair of Dutch clubs trending in opposite directions will meet Saturday when NAC Breda hosts NEC in an Eredivisie match at Rat Verlegh Stadium.

The visitors from Nijmegen enter the contest in strong form, having handed NAC Breda a decisive 3-0 defeat when the teams last met on Aug. 24. NEC (6-8-4) is unbeaten in its last five league matches, a streak highlighted by a 4-2 victory over Feyenoord and a 2-2 draw with powerhouse Ajax in December. Their most recent result was a scoreless draw at Feyenoord on Dec. 23.

In contrast, NAC Breda (2-10-6) is mired in a prolonged scoring drought and sits near the bottom of the table. The home side has failed to win in its last nine matches across all competitions and has not found the net in its last four Eredivisie games, including a 0-0 draw at Groningen on Jan. 10. Its last victory was a 1-0 result against Go Ahead Eagles on Nov. 1.

Recent history heavily favors NEC, which has shown a potent attack led by its performance in the earlier fixture this season. NAC Breda’s struggles are underscored by a league-low goal output, having been shut out in 10 of its 18 matches.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the match is projected to end in a 1-1 draw. This would represent a point gained for NAC Breda’s beleaguered attack but a point dropped for an NEC side with ambitions of climbing the table.

Following this match, NEC will prepare for a home fixture against PEC Zwolle on Jan. 24. NAC Breda faces a daunting trip to league-leader PSV on the same date.

The match kicks off at 8 p.m. local time (1900 GMT) on Saturday.