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

NEC will be aiming to continue their perfect start to the 2025-26 Eredivisie season when they welcome NAC Breda to Goffertstadion on Sunday in matchday three.

On the other hand, the away side head to Nijmegen this weekend in consecutive wins off the back of a first win of the campaign last time out.

Match preview

Following up on their emphatic 5-1 victory over SBV Excelsior on the opening weekend, NEC made light work of Heracles on Saturday, courtesy of a 4-1 triumph at the Asito Stadium to make it six points from a possible six.

Picking up where he left off against Excelsior, Bryan Linssen was among the goals once again and was joined on the scoresheet this time around by Philippe Sandler and Kento Shiogai, who netted twice.

Unsurprisingly, NEC's blistering start to proceedings has them currently top of the Eredivisie standings ahead of their upcoming assignment against an opposing outfit with little to choose between the sides of late, as their last seven meetings have yielded three wins apiece and one draw.

Unbeaten in league matches on home turf since March, Dick Schreuder's men have proven to be a tough nut to crack in front of their fans, and securing maximum points this weekend looks to be a very attainable target.

NEC have been knocking on the door of continental football over the last couple of seasons, and their early form suggests that they will be in contention for a place in Europe once again this term.

Going up against Feyenoord in their curtain raiser, NAC Breda's 2-0 defeat was a less-than-ideal start to the new season, but Sunday's 2-1 triumph over Fortuna Sittard has lifted the mood.

New arrival Lewis Holtby had a debut to remember as he supplied a goal and an assist to lead Carl Hoefkens's men to a narrow victory at the Rat Verlegh Stadion.

Philip Brittijn's late consolation goal last time out means that Breda have now failed to record a shutout in 13 straight Eredivisie matches, which will definitely be an area of concern in their sophomore season back in the top flight.

On the bright side, Parel van het Zuiden's triumph over Fortuna saw them win a competitive game for the first time since January, when they beat FC Twente 2-1.

Sunday's visitors are, however, without a league away victory in 2025, and this weekend's trip ushers in a daunting run of matches that will see them face off against three of last season's top six in their subsequent four outings.

NEC Eredivisie form:

NAC Breda Eredivisie form:

Team News

Bram Nuytinck remains unavailable for NEC due to a long-term knee problem he suffered last season, and the defender is still a long way off returning to action.

With two goals and an assist so far, Bryan Linssen is on the brink of matching his tally of direct goal contributions from last season (four).

Breda's Moussa Soumano is out of contention for this weekend after picking up an injury during pre-season that has ruled him out since then.

Fredrik Jensen (toe) and Leo Greiml (hand) are also sidelined, while Charles-Andreas Brym misses out for the third game running with an arm injury.

NEC possible starting lineup:

Crettaz; Verdonk, Sandler, Pereira; Onal, Sano, Proper, Ouaissa; Linssen, Ogawa, Chery

NAC Breda possible starting lineup:

Bielica; Valerius, Mahmutovic, Hillen, Kemper; Holtby, Balard; Talvitie, Sowah, Nassoh; Van Hooijdonk