Nijmegen vs AZ Alkmaar prediction: NETHERLANDS: Eredivisie betting tips on match 2023-05-20 12:30.
After their hefty loss at Twente last weekend, NEC Nijmegen can forget about the European playoffs. They appeared to be in good shape in recent times, especially defensively, but have conceded at least three goals in four of their last six matches after the 4-0 loss in Enschede. NEC had suffered just two 2+ goal defeats prior to that point, illustrating just how badly they fell away.
NEC was unbeaten in 14 consecutive matches at home, but have since suffered back-to-back-to-back losses in the Goffert. The three man vanguard that is Elayis Tavsan, Landry Dimata and Magnus Matsson managed to score only twice combined in NEC's last six outings, but that has not convinced manager Rogier Meijer to make adjustments to his starting line-up to date.
AZ Alkmaar will currently be especially disappointed that they missed the UEFA Europa Conference League final on Thursday evening, but all in all, the club can still be proud of their European campaign, particularly if one takes into account what their UECL competitors are financially capable of. West Ham United, the conquerors of the Alkmaarders, had made purchases of one and a half times the entire budget of AZ this season.
Pascal Jansen's team also has no time to hang their heads and lament, because if they perform well in the last two rounds, they can still push Ajax out of third place and return to the next UECL. The team from Amsterdam has a lead of two points, but with Utrecht and Twente as remaining opponents, they do not have an easy program. However, AZ itself is also waiting for a match against PSV on the final day of the competition.
Players to watch: Landry Dimata has scored all nine of his goals for NEC in home games. Meanwhile, Tijjani Reijnders' strong season has not gone unnoticed. The midfielder was recently included in the Netherlands' next preliminary squad for the first time and was involved in three goals across his last three matches (G2, A1).
Hot stat: NEC was unable to win 24 of their last 28 Eredivisie home games.