Groningen v NEC Nijmegen: top-three push meets top-half bid | OneFootball

Groningen host NEC Nijmegen in the Eredivisie at the Euroborg on Sunday, 10 May 2026, with the visitors protecting third place and Champions League qualifying hopes while the hosts chase a late move towards the top half.

NEC Nijmegen won the reverse league meeting 2-0 and arrive with momentum. Groningen, meanwhile, need a response after recent setbacks to keep their season trending upwards.

Form points in opposite directions. Groningen are winless in three league games after a home defeat by Excelsior followed a loss at Feyenoord and a draw with Go Ahead Eagles. NEC are unbeaten in four Eredivisie outings, taking an away win at Excelsior and draws against Feyenoord, FC Twente and Telstar.

Team news could shape the attacking picture. Groningen are without Hidde Jurjus, Oskar Zawada, Stije Resink, Younes Taha and Ryan Metu. NEC miss Ahmetcan Kaplan, Basar Önal and Freek Entius.

On the numbers, the visitors' threat is clear. NEC have scored 74 league goals with 56% possession and 55.47% shooting accuracy this season. Bryan Linssen is on 11 Eredivisie goals and Tjaronn Chery on 10, while creator Kodai Sano has seven assists. Groningen have 10 clean sheets and regularly deliver from wide areas, producing nine headed goals and a high open-play crossing volume. Thom van Bergen, their leading scorer on nine, could be the main outlet.

A home win would lift Groningen to 45 points and could move them into the top half. Victory for NEC would take them to 59 points and strengthen their grip on third and Champions League qualification.