NEC Nijmegen v Utrecht: top-three charge meets form-hit visitors | OneFootball

NEC Nijmegen host Utrecht in the Eredivisie at Goffertstadion on Wednesday, 11 February 2026, with the hosts protecting third place and a Champions League qualification spot while the visitors look to arrest a slide down the table.

Utrecht won the reverse fixture 1-0 in November, but NEC Nijmegen arrive in markedly better shape after five straight wins across league and cup, including a 3-1 success at AZ and a 4-1 home victory over Heracles.

NEC Nijmegen have scored 56 league goals at 2.7 per game with 56% possession and 79.61% passing accuracy this season. Koki Ogawa has seven league goals, while Tjaronn Chery and Bryan Linssen provide end product and supply. Utrecht have 30 goals with 48% of the ball. Souffian El Karouani leads their creative output with nine league assists (per the latest rankings).

Team news could shape the contest. NEC Nijmegen list goalkeeper Freek Entius as injured. Utrecht are without Sebastian Haller, Victor Jensen, Mike Eerdhuijzen, Zidane Iqbal and Mees Eppink through injury, while Miguel Rodríguez is suspended, trimming Ron Jans' options in attack and defence.

Routes to goal may hinge on wide service and aerial threat. NEC Nijmegen have delivered 307 open-play crosses and scored nine headers, so Linssen and Ogawa could profit from deliveries. Utrecht's crossing accuracy from open play stands at 26.76% with 10 headed goals, suggesting El Karouani's supply could still trouble the hosts.

NEC Nijmegen sit third on 41 points and a win would further consolidate their Champions League qualification push. Utrecht are 13th with 24 points and a positive result could lift them towards mid-table safety.