Preview: Feyenoord vs NAC Breda - prediction, team news, lineups

Feyenoord and NAC Breda will both be looking to kick off the new Eredivisie season with maximum points when they go head-to-head at De Kuip on Saturday evening.

Having won five of the last six meetings between the teams, the home side have been the dominant force in this fixture, and the visitors have it all to do if they are to turn things around.

Match preview

Off the back of consecutive top-two finishes under Arne Slot, during which they won the Eredivisie and KNVB Beker, Feyenoord began life under Brian Priske with more silverware as they downed PSV Eindhoven on penalties to take home the Johan Cruyff Shield.

However, Priske's time in charge was brought to a premature end back in February as Feyenoord sat in third place, 12 points off leaders Ajax at the time.

Pascal Bosschaart was handed the reins on an interim basis, and the 45-year-old did well to lead his side past AC Milan in the Champions League round of 16 before he was replaced by Robin van Persie.

The appointment of Van Persie did little to change De Stadionclub's fortunes as they ended the season still third in the standings, meaning they will have to go through the playoffs to secure Champions League football.

On that front, Feyenoord have made a bright start to proceedings after claiming a 2-1 first-leg victory over Fenerbahce in the third round of the qualifiers ahead of next week's return leg.

In the meantime, Saturday's visitors will now set out to fly out of the blocks in their domestic campaign as they aim to secure a first league crown since 2023.

Despite needing a promotion playoff victory over SBV Excelsior to confirm their return to the Dutch top flight, Breda took many by surprise in the early exchanges of the season and found themselves as high as seventh after 14 matchdays.

From being in a position to contend for European competitions, Carl Hoefkens's men would go on to pick up just 14 points from the final 20 games, the second-fewest in the division behind Willem II, and this saw them eventually drop to 15th.

Parel van het Zuiden failed to win any of their final 16 matches of the 2024-25 campaign, and their pre-season form has done little to alleviate any concerns heading into the new campaign, as they managed just three wins from 10 warm-up matches.

Saturday's game raises the curtain on a daunting opening run of matches for the visitors, who will face off against NEC, AZ Alkmaar, Twente and Ajax in four of the next six gameweeks following the conclusion of this weekend's affair.

Away struggles played a key role in Breda's fall-off last season, where they won just two of their 17 matches, and it is imperative that Breda get their act right on enemy territory this term.

Feyenoord form (all competitions):

NAC Breda friendly form:

Team News

Gernot Trauner sustained an Achilles tendon injury back in June and is unavailable to play any part for Feyenoord in Saturday's encounter.

The home side will also be without the services of Jeyland Mitchell, who is nursing a muscle injury, while Bart Nieuwkoop is out with a leg issue.

Following the departure of Igor Paixao, Anis Hadj Moussa will be expected to play a more prominent role this term, and his goal against Fenerbahce was a good way to lay down an early marker.

Leo Greiml has sat out four straight matches and is a guaranteed absentee for Breda after suffering a broken hand in a friendly against Olympiacos.

Charles-Andreas Brym (arm) and Fredrik Jensen are also expected to miss out, although the former could make his return to action soon.

Feyenoord possible starting lineup:

Wellenreuther; Lotomba, Ahmedhodzic, Watanabe, Bos; Steijn, Hwang, Timber; Moussa, Ueda, Sauer

NAC Breda possible starting lineup:

Bielica; Kongolo, Mahmutovic, Kemper, Valerius; Balard, Leemans; Nassoh, Van Hooijdonk, Sowah; Talvitie

We say: Feyenoord 3-1 NAC Breda

With one eye on their upcoming European assignment, Feyenoord may opt to name a relatively weak XI for this one but should still have enough to comfortably see off Breda.

We can see the home side claiming a routine win at the end of the 90 minutes.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.