Eredivisie | Gameweek 11

Nov 3, 2024 at 1.30pm UK

Goffertstadion

Nijmegen vs Groningen

Match preview

NEC Nijmegen showed great determination as they narrowly edged out PEC Zwolle to book their place in the next round of the Dutch Eredivisie Cup with a 4-3 victory in Tuesday's thrilling encounter.

Koki Ogawa was the star of the show for Rogier Meijer's men, netting twice, including a crucial equaliser in normal time and the winner in extra time minutes after Kento Shiogai had put his side 3-2 up.

The Eniesee have now won two of their last three games, with Sunday's 1-0 defeat at Almere City the only setback coming when Thomas Ouwejan put the ball past his own goalkeeper with 11 minutes remaining.

With 10 points from as many league games, NEC are currently 13th in the standings, just two points above the relegation zone at the end of the first third of the season.

Having conceded the fewest goals of any team in the bottom half of the table (10), Sunday's hosts have often let themselves down at the top end of the pitch, conceding 10 goals, the fourth-worst tally in the league.

In search of their first win since August, Groningen made light work of lowly Kolping Boys in Tuesday's cup tie at the AFAS Training Complex, running out 5-1 winners.

After taking the lead through Stije Resink, Dick Lukkien's men were pegged back by Joreno Mandjes, but not for long as Rui Mendes restored his side's lead just before the hour mark before Thijs Oosting stole the show with a hat-trick.

It was only the first win in nine competitive matches for Trots van het Noorden, who had started the new season on a high with 4-1 and 2-1 victories over NAC Breda and RKC Waalwijk respectively.

Groningen's return to the top flight has not gone as planned so far, although they are currently outside the drop zone by three points ahead of their trip to Nijmegen this weekend in search of what would be only a second away league win of the campaign.

Managing just one win from the last six meetings between the teams, Sunday's visitors have not fared well in recent clashes against the hosts and will need to up the ante to stand any chance of coming away with a positive result.

Recent Performance

NEC Eredivisie form:LLDLWL

Groningen Eredivisie form:DLLLLL

Team News

NEC midfielder Dirk Proper will miss his fifth match of the season with a shoulder problem he picked up against Feyenoord at the end of September.

The hosts will also be without 27-year-old Philippe Sandler, who is still recovering from a long-term muscle problem.

Koki Ogawa's double last time out took his tally for club and country to six this term, and he will be one to watch.

Hat-trick hero Thijs Oosting has made just one league start this season, but his goalscoring exploits on Tuesday could see him rewarded with a place in the Groningen XI.

Leandro Bacuna, who has already picked up four yellow cards, is walking a tightrope ahead of Sunday's game as he is one booking away from a ban.

Possible starting lineups

NEC possible starting lineup:

Roefs; Ouwejan, Nuytinck, Alvarez, Pereira; Sano, Hoedemakers; Onal, Ouaissa, Van Crooy; Ogawa

Groningen possible starting lineup:

Vaessen; Prins, Peersman, Rente, Bacuna; Schreuders, Valente, De Jonge, Hove; Van Bergen, Postema