NAC Breda and Emmen square off in the first leg of their Eredivisie semi-final playoff tie as they bid to earn a top-flight spot for 2023-24.
While Emmen finished in 16th position in the Eredivisie standings, their hosts on Wednesday were sixth in the second tier before winning their first playoff tie.
Match preview
Emmen went into the final day of the regular Eredivisie campaign knowing that 16th place was already set in stone, not helped by losing three matches in succession.
In their defence, fixtures versus FC Twente, AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord were far from ideal, but 11 goals were conceded to three of the top five teams in the division.
A closing encounter at FC Utrecht gave Dick Lukkien's side an opportunity to rediscover some confidence, and positives will be taken from only losing 3-2 to their seventh-placed hosts.
However, despite twice getting back on level terms at Stadion Galgenwaard, Emmen conceded the decisive goal when they were at a player advantage.
Emmen will now look to shake off that disappointment in a higher-profile match and against opponents who have already improved their fortunes after a poor end to the regular season.
NAC Breda lost their last two league games, conceding five times in the process, but they bounced back with a 5-1 aggregate triumph over MVV last week.
While MVV had finished above them on goal difference in the standings, Peter Hyballa's team made a mockery of those statistics to keep their hopes of a top-flight return alive.
NAC Breda have finished in the playoffs at every opportunity since their relegation since 2018-19, yet they are still two more ties from earning a return to the top tier of Dutch football.
Team News
NAC Breda will be forced into a change between the sticks after Roy Kortsmit was sent off during the closing stages of the second leg versus MVV.
Pepijn van de Merbel appears most likely to step into the team, and that may prove to be the only alteration made by Hyballa.
That is despite German forward Jesaja Hermann coming off the susbtitutes' bench to net his team's final goal in a 4-1 win.
Meanwhile, having made a number of changes for the Utrecht match, Lukkien must decide to what extent he will tinker with a side that generally impressed last time out.
Miguel Araujo, Jeroen Veldmate, Ole Romeny and Richairo Zivkovic are among the players who should return to the Emmen XI.
NAC Breda possible starting lineup:
Van de Merbel; Lucassen, Martina, MacNulty, Di Michele Sanchez; Garbett, Vet, Banzuzi, Agougil; Van der Sande, Omarsson
Emmen possible starting lineup:
Hart; Te Wierik, Veldmate, Araujo, Burnet; Veendorp, Messaoudi; Romeny, Diemers, Assehnoun; Zivkovic
We say: NAC Breda 1-2 Emmen
With the form book very much in NAC Breda's favour, they have the momentum ahead of trying to upset the odds on Wednesday. However, we feel that Emmen's superior quality will ultimately shine through to give themselves the best chance of finishing the job in the second leg.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Darren Plant
