NEC Nijmegen — AZ Alkmaar : Match Preview and Prediction for September 28,2025

NEC Nijmegen’s Rollercoaster Start

“From feast to famine” – that’s how NEC’s performance in the first six rounds of the new season can be described. The Nijmegen team initially started with three consecutive victories, but after the international break, they suffered three successive defeats. What unifies these matches? In all six of NEC’s games, fewer than three goals were never scored, indicating a consistently high-scoring affair.

Goal-filled Matches and Defensive Woes

Schreuder’s charges play a very uninhibited and open style of football. This was evident in their 3-5 loss to PSV, a 2-3 defeat against Fortuna Sittard, and most recently, another 2-3 scoreline in Heerenveen.

Challenges and Key Absences for NEC

Against Heerenveen, the dark-red-and-greens almost mounted a comeback from 0-3 down, but their resurgence came too late as they only managed to pull back two goals. Overall, the team’s play resembles a chaotic “hockey-like” approach with open gates, which likely doesn’t sit well with NEC. Ahead lies a very challenging home fixture against AZ, which the hosts will face without the suspended Tjarron Chery and the injured Bram Nuytinck.

AZ Alkmaar’s Post-Break Dip

While NEC experienced a dramatic rise and fall early in the season, AZ Alkmaar has seen a less severe dip in form after their initial four consecutive victories. In addition to their campaign, the Dutch Cup finalists successfully navigated several qualification rounds for the Conference League. However, after the international break, Martens’ side has been afflicted by a draw syndrome.

Recent Draws and Offensive Strength

They played out an exciting 3-3 draw at home against Feyenoord, salvaging a point in the dying moments. In the last league match, AZ again dropped points at home, drawing 2-2 with Zwolle; despite taking the lead twice, their opponents quickly equalized on each occasion. The visitors have shown a strong scoring record, with only one of their six league matches featuring fewer than three goals. For this upcoming game, Seiya Maikuma and Troy Parrott will be absent.