Willem II v NEC Nijmegen: early-season reset as both chase first points | OneFootball

Willem II host NEC Nijmegen in the Eredivisie on Saturday, 15 August 2026 at the Koning Willem II Stadion, with both sides looking to respond to opening losses and put early season points on the board.

The hosts sit 17th after defeat on matchday one, while NEC are 11th. Recent head to heads have been tight: the last meeting finished 1-1 in May 2025, and Willem II won 4-1 in Tilburg in December 2024.

Form points both ways. Willem II were beaten 4-1 at Go Ahead Eagles last weekend after a mixed pre-season. NEC lost 2-1 to Telstar but arrive with confidence from Europe, having drawn 0-0 away and then beaten Olympiacos 2-1 in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers.

Selection could matter. Willem II list goalkeeper Thomas Didillon, Hidde ter Avest, Jari Schuurman, Amine Lachkar, Armin Culum and Anass Zarrouk as injured. NEC are without defenders Perr Schuurs and Philippe Sandler, forwards Koki Ogawa and Sami Ouaissa, plus Yassin Moslih.

The match-up may hinge on control versus transition. NEC had 71% possession, completed passes at 89.13% and delivered 34 open-play crosses against Telstar, so Dick Schreuder's side could look to dominate the ball again. Willem II had 31% possession and nine shots in their opener, so counters and direct play may be the route. Early threats: Devin Haen scored for Willem II with Nathan Tjoe-A-On assisting, while Kaj Sierhuis netted for NEC from a Dušan Tadić assist.

Three points would lift Willem II to three and could take them out of the relegation places. NEC would also reach three and could move into the top half. Then Willem II host Heerenveen, while NEC are set to visit PEC Zwolle.