NEC Nijmegen v Heerenveen: top-three push meets play-off chase | OneFootball

NEC Nijmegen host Heerenveen in the Eredivisie on Sunday, 22 March 2026 at Goffertstadion, with the hosts third and eyeing Champions League qualification and the visitors seventh in the play-off places.

Heerenveen won the reverse fixture 3-2 in September, so NEC Nijmegen have a chance to level the head-to-head this season while strengthening their position in the top three.

Form points to a high-tempo game. NEC Nijmegen have won their last two league matches, beating Volendam 3-0 and then stunning PSV 3-2 away, following draws with Sparta Rotterdam and Ajax. Heerenveen arrive with four wins in five, including three straight league victories over Sparta Rotterdam, Excelsior and Telstar.

Team news could shape selections. NEC Nijmegen list Eli Dasa, Danilo, Gonzalo Cretazz, Brayann Pereira, Deveron Fonville and Freek Entius as unavailable. Heerenveen are without suspended pair Maxence Rivera and Oliver Braude, while Amourrichio van Axel Dongen and Levi Smans are injured.

NEC Nijmegen have been prolific this season, scoring 67 league goals at 2.5 per game, with a notable aerial threat shown by 10 headed goals. Bryan Linssen (nine league goals, seven assists), Koki Ogawa (eight) and Tjaronn Chery (seven) supply the end product. Heerenveen's main threat has been Jacob Trenskow, who has 10 league goals, with Joris Overeem on six assists.

A home win would move NEC Nijmegen to 52 points and could tighten their grip on the Champions League qualification places. Victory for Heerenveen would take them to 43 points and could lift them above AZ into sixth, reinforcing their European play-off push.