NAC Breda vs. Willem II Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 18 May 2025

As we head into the final round of the Eredivisie, the clash between NAC Breda and Willem II at the Rat Verlegh Stadion holds significant weight, especially for both teams battling to avoid the relegation playoffs. Currently, NAC Breda sits 15th with 32 points, just above Willem II, who are 16th with 25 points.

Neither team has been in great form recently, but NAC Breda might have the upper hand given their home advantage and more stable position in the league. Additionally, NAC Breda’s management and coach Carl Hoefkens are actively looking to bolster the squad, evident from their positive talks with veteran Jens Toornstra.

Willem II, under coach Kristof Aelbrecht, faces an uphill battle. Although the team has struggled on the road this season, with 10 losses in their last 11 away games, they’re not giving up without a fight.

NAC Breda vs Willem II Prediction & Betting Tip

• NAC Breda seek to avoid the relegation playoffs and end their season positively in front of their home fans.
• Willem II are struggling away from home, which weakens their chances of securing a win or draw.
• Despite both teams having defensive issues, NAC Breda have shown they can capitalise on home advantage better than Willem II.

NAC Breda vs Willem II Odds

Analyzing the odds for this crucial Eredivisie clash, NAC Breda is the clear favorite according to bookmakers. Below is a detailed breakdown of the odds for this match-up:

The odds reflect NAC Breda’s home advantage and Willem II’s struggle on the road, where they have lost 10 of their last 11 away matches.
NAC Breda will be aiming to capitalize on their home crowd to finish their season on a high note and avoid relegation playoffs. Conversely, Willem II face an uphill battle as they look to reverse their poor form away from home.

NAC Breda Team Analysis

NAC Breda Recent Performance

NAC Breda has endured a challenging period, going winless in their last five matches with a record of LLLDD. This rough patch has notably impacted their league standing, leaving them close to the relegation zone. They have scored an average of only 0.6 goals in their last five games and failed to register any clean sheets, highlighting their defensive vulnerabilities. Here’s a breakdown of their recent results:

NAC Breda’s goal-scoring troubles and defensive lapses have made it difficult for them to climb the standings. Despite these setbacks, coach Carl Hoefkens remains confident in his squad’s ability to bounce back and secure crucial points in their final match of the season.

NAC Breda Key Players

NAC Breda will be counting on their key players to perform as they strive to fend off relegation threats. Leading the charge is their top scorer, Elias Mar Omarsson, who has netted 7 goals this season.

NAC Breda expected lineup

• Goalkeeper: Kostas Lamprou
• Defenders: Cherrion Valerius, Enes Mahmutovic, Terence Kongolo, Maxime Busi
• Midfielders: Casper Staring, Max Balard, Fredrik Jensen, Raul Paula
• Forwards: Sydney van Hooijdonk, Kamal Sowah

Omarsson’s battle against Willem II’s defenders, notably Boris Lambert and Erik Schouten, will be crucial.
Expect Carl Hoefkens to look to Omarsson and van Hooijdonk for crucial breakthroughs.

NAC Breda Suspensions & Injuries

NAC Breda faces a few injury concerns that might impact their performance in the crucial final match against Willem II.

The absences of Boyd Lucassen and Dion Versluis, both key players, add another layer of difficulty to Carl Hoefkens’ strategy. Their unavailability could lead to less defensive stability, which is a concern given their recent form. Hoefkens will need to rely on the available squad depth to cover these gaps effectively.

NAC Breda Tactics and Formation

Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-4-2
• Key Forward: Sydney van Hooijdonk is expected to be crucial in attack.
• Midfield Dynamics: The midfield will likely play a vital role in interrupting Willem II’s build-up play, especially with Fredrik Jensen’s defensive capabilities.
• Defensive Strategy: With no clean sheets in their last five games and Boyd Lucassen’s absence, the defense will have to be more cohesive.
• Game Plan: NAC Breda is known to score and concede heavily in the final 15 minutes, making late-game tactics and substitutions critical.

Willem II Team Analysis

Willem II Recent Performance

Willem II have struggled significantly in their last five matches, unable to secure a victory and only managing one draw. Their current form is quite poor, reflected in their standings. They have been unable to keep a clean sheet in their last five games and have shown difficulty in defending away from home.
Their recent match results are as follows:

Willem II have managed to score an average of 0.80 goals in their last five games, highlighting their struggles in attack.
Their defensive issues are evident as they have conceded goals consistently, making it tough to secure points in these critical fixtures.

Willem II Key Players

Expected lineup for Willem II

• Goalkeeper: Thomas Didillon
• Defenders: Tommy St. Jago, Boris Lambert, Erik Schouten, Rob Nizet
• Midfielders: Dennis Kaygin, Ringo Meerveld, Jesse Bosch
• Forwards: Emilio Kehrer, Kyan Vaesen, Nick Doodeman

Jesse Bosch, Willem II’s top scorer with 6 goals, will be crucial in midfield, providing creativity and goal-scoring threats.
In defence, the duo of Erik Schouten and Boris Lambert will need to be at their best to handle NAC Breda’s attacking threats, particularly forward Sydney van Hooijdonk.
Watch for battles between Willem II’s forwards and NAC Breda’s backline, which could be decisive for the match outcome.

Willem II Suspensions & Injuries

Injuries have plagued Willem II’s squad, impacting their performance and team dynamics. Dani Mathieu is doubtful with a knee injury, creating uncertainty in the defense. Runar Thor Sigurgeirsson’s absence for another 1-2 weeks and Cisse Sandra’s injury add further challenges.

These injuries will require coach Kristof Aelbrecht to make strategic adjustments. The team will heavily rely on key players like Jesse Bosch to step up and fill these gaps, particularly in midfield and attack.

Willem II Tactics and Formation

Willem II Tactics and Formation:

• Formation: 4-3-3
• Key Forward: Kyan Vaesen
• Midfield Trio: Dennis Kaygin, Ringo Meerveld, Jesse Bosch
• Defensive Stability: Struggling with no clean sheets in the last five games
• Notable Strategy: Scoring most goals in the 76-90 and 31-45-minute intervals

Kristof Aelbrecht seems to favor an attacking 4-3-3 formation, aiming to leverage the pace and creativity of his front three. Kyan Vaesen will be pivotal in leading the attack, supported by Emilio Kehrer and Nick Doodeman on the flanks.

The midfield trio of Kaygin, Meerveld, and Bosch are tasked with controlling the tempo and transitioning quickly from defense to attack. However, with injuries and recent poor form, Willem II’s backline will need to stay compact to avoid conceding.

The team should aim to maintain high energy particularly in the latter stages of each half, taking advantage of their notable strategy of scoring late goals.

NAC Breda vs Willem II Head-to-Head Statistics

In the last five encounters between NAC Breda and Willem II, NAC has emerged victorious twice, Willem II has won once, and two matches have ended in draws.

Though the recent matchup in November ended in a draw, NAC’s past dominance, including a notable 4-1 victory in September 2023, shows their potential to clinch another win in the upcoming clash.

Odds accurate as of 16/05/2025 13:31, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.