Prediction: FC Emmen vs NAC Breda

Verdict: FC Emmen draw no bet

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

With a spot in this season’s play-off final hanging in the balance, FC Emmen will welcome NAC Breda to Drenthe on Saturday afternoon for their second-leg showdown.

FC Emmen

Starting with the hosts, snatching a late 1-1 stalemate when they travelled to Breda for their first-leg meeting earlier in the week, Fred Grim’s men should feel that they have a real opportunity here. While the Drenthe-based outfit might have suffered play-off heartbreak last season as they missed out on the chance to book a lucrative Eredivisie return, the former Dutch coach has seen his squad impress over the past month. Although the Whites might have opened April in the midst of a minor wobble, Emmen have come roaring back in an eye-catching fashion. Extending on their play-off adventure on May 18th as they secured a 3-2 aggregate victory against Dordrecht, Saturday’s hosts are unbeaten in all of their previous seven appearances against second-tier opposition. Likewise, it should also be noted that Grim’s men signed off their regular-season adventure by winning all of their final four matchups by an aggregate score of 10-4.

Team News

Both still dealing with respective injury issues and missing out in the first-leg on Tuesday night, Emmen will once again be without the duo of Robin Schouten and 23-year-old Chardi Mpindi Landu this weekend. However, ahead of Saturday’s showdown in Drenthe, Grim’s men have no fresh suspensions or concerns to worry about.

Converting from the penalty spot against Breda earlier in the week and now notching seven goals in his previous eight appearances, the red-hot Vicente Besuijen will play a leading role here. Despite notching just a trio of strikes since the start of February, ex-Leganes striker Piotr Parzyszek will spearhead Emmen’s charge.

NAC Breda

As for the visitors, missing out on the chance to claim a crucial first-leg advantage on home soil in midweek, NAC Breda could have a real challenge on their hands here. Despite extending on their play-off adventure earlier in the month as they secured a thumping 8-1 aggregate victory against Roda, the Yellows have struggled to find any kind of stability since returning from March’s international break. In fact, Jean-Paul van Gastel’s side recorded just a single victory from any of their final eight second-tier appearances. Along with mustering just a single victory on there travels since the start of March, the one-time Feyenoord coach will also have a real headache over his side’s extended defensive struggles. Along with a 4-1 drumming against Dordrecht last month, Breda have recorded just a pair of clean sheets from any of their previous 11 outings.

Team News

Still dealing with a long-term knee injury and not making a single appearance since opening the New Year, Breda will once again be unable to call upon 30-year-old midfielder Javier Vet on Saturday afternoon. Likewise, missing the first-leg in midweek Gastel’s men have confirmed that one-time PSV starlet Clint Leemans will not feature again until next season.

Finding the net at the Rat Verlegh Stadion on Tuesday night and now bagging three goals in as many appearances, Norwegian striker Sigurd Haugen will spearhead Breda’s charge. Former Gent starlet Tom Boere will be forced to settle for another spot on the bench this weekend.

Key Factors to Consider

• When FC Emmen and NAC Breda met for their first-leg showdown on Tuesday night, Saturday’s opponents played out a 1-1 stalemate.
• Emmen are unbeaten in all of their previous seven meetings against Eerste Divisie opposition.
• Likewise, Saturday’s hosts won all of their final four regular-season matchups by an aggregate score of 10-4.
• NAC Breda have collected just a pair of clean sheet from any of their previous 11 consecutive showdowns against second-tier opposition.
• Including a first-leg strike on Tuesday night, the red-hot Vicente Besuijen has bagged seven goals in his previous eight appearances.

Conclusion

Snatching what was a crucial late equaliser when they travelled to Breda on Tuesday night, Emmen should be smelling a real opportunity here. Now unbeaten in all of their seven showdowns against second-tier opposition, Grim’s men should be relishing a return to Drenthe this weekend. Likewise, now suffering just a single defeat from any of their previous eight straight battles against Saturday’s hosts, a draw no bet can be found at appealing odds.

Verdict: FC Emmen draw no bet

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Olympusbet