NEC Nijmegen — NAC Breda : Match Preview and Prediction for August 24,2025

NEC Nijmegen: A High-Flying Start

Let’s delve into the facts. NEC currently leads the championship after just two rounds, not merely as a leader, but as the league’s highest-scoring team. They’ve found the net nine times in two matches: a commanding 5-0 victory against Excelsior and a dominant 4-1 triumph over Heracles. This impressive start isn’t a fluke, but rather a deliberate and strategic outcome of new coach Dick Schreuder’s tactical work.

The “Dickie-Taka” Philosophy

The team’s distinctive playing style, which has already been playfully dubbed “Dickie-Taka,” embodies an ultra-attacking football philosophy, characterized by relentless high pressing and immense intensity. Schreuder demonstrates a willingness to take calculated risks. For instance, against Heracles, upon gaining a numerical advantage, he boldly introduced a sixth attacking player. This is a clear philosophical stance, prioritizing goal-scoring over simply maintaining a scoreline.

Defensive Risks and Vulnerabilities

However, this aggressive approach inevitably carries a defensive trade-off. NEC player Vito van Crooy openly acknowledges, “We often engage in one-on-one situations with significant space behind us. In recent matches, you’ve witnessed how easily opponents could exploit this.” In the Heracles encounter, they conceded the opening goal and allowed three additional clear-cut scoring opportunities early in the game. This inherent defensive risk directly paves the way for goals at both ends of the pitch.

Statistical Confirmation of Attacking Prowess

The statistics unequivocally underscore NEC’s formidable attacking power. In the match against Heracles, NEC unleashed 24 shots towards the goal, with 11 of those hitting the target. Their Expected Goals (xG) metric registered an impressive 3.03. This isn’t merely about good fortune; it signifies a consistent and systematic generation of dangerous scoring chances.

NAC Breda’s Resurgent Form

NAC approaches this upcoming fixture following a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Fortuna. The team’s performance showcased a clear capability to both score and create decisive moments. A central figure in their recent success has been the new acquisition, Lewis Holtby, an experienced German midfielder boasting considerable experience in both the Bundesliga and the Premier League. In a stellar debut performance, he immediately made his mark with a goal and a crucial assist.

Holtby’s Instant Impact

Holtby’s introduction fundamentally elevates Breda’s attacking prowess. He effectively dictated the flow of play, ignited his teammates, and proved to be a direct threat in finishing attacking sequences himself. His blend of boundless energy and undeniable class is precisely the catalyst that could pose significant challenges for NEC’s notoriously risk-taking defense. Beyond Holtby, Juho Talvitie also distinguished himself by netting a beautifully executed goal.

NAC’s Attacking Intent

In their match against Fortuna, NAC impressively generated 4 major goal-scoring opportunities and accumulated an Expected Goals (xG) tally of 2. This robust statistic clearly signifies that the team is not content with merely sitting back defensively; instead, they actively seek their chances in the final third. Even NEC’s coach, Schreuder, has acknowledged that NAC plays with remarkable energy and represents a formidable opponent.