Vitesse vs Nijmegen prediction: NETHERLANDS: Eredivisie betting tips on match 2023-01-14 11:15.
Fans had to wait until the new calendar year for the first Gelderland derby of the season, but it is finally upon us – and with both teams far from assured of survival, it will be a high stakes affair. Vitesse Arnhem have managed to win their last three meetings with arch-rivals NEC Nijmegen, but as they continue to struggle through their worst start to an Eredivisie season of the last decade, they’re in a much less authoritative position this time around.
Their early elimination from the KNVB Cup, whilst not ideal, gave Vitesse some extra preparation time to get themselves ready for perhaps their most important clash of the season. Vitesse are now four Eredivisie games without victory (D3, L1), but draws against prominent top half clubs such as Ajax and AZ should leave them confident of going one step further here. Maximilian Wittek will be available for selection, but following Mitchell Dijks’ strong performance against AZ, manager Phillip Cocu has kept his lips tight about who will be preferred come Sunday.
The visitors from Nijmegen, unlike their rivals, had KNVB Cup duties during the week. It was a comfortable and profitable trip to Almere, with a stunning Oussama Tannane free kick amongst the highlights. Substitute Anthony Musaba scored his first goal since his return to action, but there remains a good chance that NEC boss Rogier Meijer will field an unchanged starting lineup from the one that drew with AZ. Iceland’s Andri Baldursson should make a comeback from a long-term injury.
NEC will be without their “12th man” for this important clash after their supporters’ association opted to boycott this game following the unwelcome decision to restrict the away support to just 400 tickets – well below their demand for at least 600. That threatens to disrupt an improvement to their away record that was assisted by a 1-0 win at Cambuur prior to the World Cup (W2, D3, L2).
Players to watch: Matúš Bero scored a goal and provided an assist for Vitesse in his last three Eredivisie matches. Meanwhile, left back Souffian El Karouani has scored two goals and two assists in his last seven games for NEC.
Hot stat: Vitesse have won five of their last six home games against NEC.