After a sensational 2023-24 season in which they narrowly missed out on European qualification - falling just two points short - NEC would have entered the current campaign with high hopes.

However, the reality has been a stark contrast - with just 30 points to their name and six games left to play, the Nijmegen side find themselves firmly in the lower half of the table and just six points above the relegation playoff spot.

Rogier Meijer's side earned a gritty against-the-odds victory over FC Utrecht and followed up with a dramatic comeback to snatch a point against AZ either side of the international break, which hinted at a possible late-season revival.

Unfortunately, NEC were brought crashing back down to earth last weekend when they suffered a 2-0 away defeat to Sparta Rotterdam, who also leapfrogged them into 12th place in the league standings.

The hosts will now return to Goffertstadion, where they have been tough to beat, drawing four and winning one of their last six matches (L1), while having also made a bit of a habit of scoring late goals, netting in the final 20 minutes in each of their last six games at this venue.

Meanwhile, after flirting with relegation last season, RKC Waalwijk are now in deep trouble this term, currently on just 19 points and rapidly running out of time to pull themselves to safety.

After picking up 10 points between the end of January and early February, things have taken a major downturn for RKC, as they are now winless in their last six league games following their goalless draw at home to Heracles last week.

Notably, that result also marked the fourth time in the last six games that Henk Fraser's side failed to find the back of the net, which is a major drop-off after scoring 14 goals in the six matches prior.

While three points will be massive for the visitors this week, their away form this season does not inspire much confidence in their chances, as they have only won one of their 14 away games to date and have yet to keep a clean sheet on their travels.

NEC possible starting lineup:

Roefs; Lyratzis, Sandler, Nuytinck, Verdonk; Proper, Sano; Hansen, Darelas, Ouwejan; Linssen

RKC Waalwijk possible starting lineup:

Houwen; Al Mazyani, Lelieveld, Van Gelderen, Felida; Van de Loo, Oukili, Familia-Castillo, Ihattaren; Margaret, Zawada