Excelsior vs NEC Nijmegen Prediction 06.04.2024

• Competition: Dutch - Eredivisie
• Date: Monday, 6th, May 2024
• Kickoff: 19:00 UTC +1 / 20.00 CEST
• Venue: Van Donge & De Roo Stadion (Rotterdam)

Two sides battling at different ends of the table meet at the Van Donge & De Roo Stadium in gameweek 32 of the Eredivisie as relegation-threatened Excelsior welcome Europa League-chasing NEC Nijmegen.

Excelsior seems to have woken up at the right moment, but will need to maintain the momentum it has gained to continue swimming towards calmer waters. After ending their 11-match winless drought in magnificent style by hammering relegation-doomed Volendam 4-0, Marinus Dijkhuizen's troops delivered yet another exceptional showing, holding the faltering Eredivisie giant Ajax to an exciting 2-2 draw. Four crucial points have helped the Kralingers stay above water, but they must remain vigilant as they are just one point ahead of RKC Waalwijk in the relegation playoff spot.

In their path stands NEC, a side enjoying their most successful campaign in the past two decades, but seemingly running out of steam as the end approaches. The Nijmegen-based club, though, struggled to recover from their loss in the KNVB Beker final against Feyenoord, putting on one of their worst performances of the season shorthly after, suffering a 0-3 trashing at the hands of AZ Alkmaar to make it three straight matches without a win. With only three rounds left to play, Rogier Meijer and co are acutely aware of the urgent need for a resurgence to keep their Europa League qualification hopes alive, currently held by Ajax, with just two points separating them.

Excelsior vs NEC Nijmegen Betting Tips: OVER 2.5

With both sides in desperate need of points to keep their aspirations alive at opposite ends of the league table, an enticing contest is expected in Nijmegen. Excelsior are capable of hitting anyone's net, but have often paid the price for a hoorendously leaky backline this term, shipping a devastating 66 goals to date, with only bottom two Vitesse (70) and Volendam (75) letting in more goals. This blend makes them one of the most entertaining sides in the Dutch top-flight, as there have been at least three goals scored in 24 out of their 31 matches. 

There's no doubt that the Kralingers' defense will face a serious test as they take on NEC, a side that is highly dangerous in attack, having scored at least twice in eight of their last 11 Eredivisie visits. What's more, goals are synonymous with the pair's clashes, with three or more goals seen in eight of the past 10 in any competition format, including the first one which saw Ecelsior prevail in a seven-goal thriller (4-3). Considering all these factors, we are convinced that we are in for fireworks at the Van Donge & De Roo Stadion, which could result in an exciting stalemate.