Match Report
On the table this was a mismatch: NEC Nijmegen (3rd, 59 pts) held a 40-point advantage over Heracles Almelo (18th, 19 pts). Recent form told a different story for NEC Nijmegen: only 11th in the league over the last five rounds despite sitting 3rd. Scoring rates set the scale: NEC Nijmegen 2.26 scored and 1.56 conceded per game, Heracles Almelo 1.03 and 2.5, with the league averaging 1.59.
NEC Nijmegen had won five straight, having scored in 12 consecutive games. Recent form was uneven: 15/15 points for NEC Nijmegen, 4/15 for Heracles Almelo.
23 meetings are on record — 10 won by NEC Nijmegen, 10 by Heracles Almelo, 3 drawn, at 2.57 goals per meeting.
The venue was Sportpark De Weeren in Amsterdam, with room for 12,500 spectators.
Goal scorers
NEC Nijmegen: Bryan Linssen (17'), Tjaronn Chery (42'), Başar Önal (57'), Noé Lebreton (90') · Heracles Almelo: Lequincio Zeefuik (23')
Key stats
Possession: NEC Nijmegen 68% · Heracles Almelo 32% · Total shots: 15-10 · On target: 6-2 · Corners: 3-6