Prediction: FC Groningen vs NAC Breda

Verdict: Home win

Best odds: 29/50

Bookmaker: ZetBet

The Dutch league returns to action with a new exciting season, Friday night at Euroborg Stadium when the local team FC Groningen welcomes NAC Breda. Just over 22, 000 fans are expected to attend the match and witness the local team’s perfect start against Breda.

FC Groningen

FC Groningen returned to the biggest stage of Dutch football following a spectacular promotion achieved last season. The hosts kept their fans on the verge of a heart attack after settling their return to Eredivisie in the last round of the Eerste Divisie, with a dramatic last-day win against promotion rivals, Roda Kerkrade.

Although returning to Dutch’s top flight looked rather unlikely before the half-season break since Groningen recorded four defeats during October, the hosts’ impressive output in the second part made the promotion achievable. However, since Roda was 2nd in the table with three points above the last direct promotion place, Groningen needed a win to return to Eredivisie.

Backed by a full stadium and coming from an excellent run with 12 consecutive games without defeat, The Pride of the North defeated Roda (2-0) returning to the biggest stage of Dutch football after a year, having the same number of points (75) with their rivals but a better goal difference.

While the promotion celebrations ended, Groningen started their pre-season preparations at the beginning of June. Since most of the teams were still in their summer holiday, the hosts played against lower-league sides scoring 24 goals against Gomos (9 -0) and ASVB Blijham (15 -0). Still, the first real test came against the newly promoted to Belgian’s top flight, Dender, a spectacular game that proved furthermore Groningen’s upfront quality but also its defensive issues (4-4 final score).

Furthermore, Dick Lukkien’s team maintained a high tempo by the end of the pre-season after recording another three wins and a draw. Defeating the Greek championship play-off participant Lamia (4-1) before edging Heracles (2-0) in the last test before the new season kick-off was a perfect conclusion to their preparations before welcoming NAC Breda.

Team News

Impressing in the pre-season games despite his young age (19), talented midfielder Jorg Schreuders will most likely be handed a start against Breda. The sole probable absence for the hosts is anticipated to be Ragnar Oratmangoen, as the midfielder is recovering from a hip injury.  

NAC Breda

Likewise, NAC Breda returned to Eredivisie after a four-season absence from Dutc’s top flight. However, the visitors’ performance is even more impressive considering their difficult journey and a last play-off promotion ticket obtained thanks to a better goal difference.

Although a negative series without a win in five games (D2L3) jeopardized NAC Breda’s presence in the play-off, the visitors recovered greatly in the last month before the regular season ended. Still, while reaching the promotion play-off was a great achievement, the Rats played their best football in the doubleheaders’ knockout ties.

Making a promotion statement early on after knocking out Roda (8-1 on aggregate), the visitors’ semi-final first leg played at home against FC Emmen raised major concerns as the Rats were forced to settle for a draw (1-1), making their opponent the favourite team for the second leg. However, despite playing away from home NAC Breda smashed Emmen with an emphatic 3-0 win, leaving the promotion to be settled against Eredivisie’s 16th-place Excelsior.

It was one of the most exciting promotion battles ever witnessed in the Dutch league. Although NAC Breda shocked Excelsior with a high tempo and pinpoint precision upfront, even Breda’s most loyal fan was shocked seeing the scoreboard indicating 6-2 for his favourites at the final whistle.

Although The Pride of the North was given a 98% chance to return to Eredivisie, Excelsior greatly contradicted this percentage after being close to producing one of the most impressive comebacks in recent times. While nobody in the stands could believe Excelsior were 4-0 up after 50 minutes of play levelling the aggregate score (6-6), Casper Staring’s 58 minutes decisive strike sent NAC Breda to Eredivisie.

Team News

Dominik Janosek is expected to start after emerging as the top scorer in the previous season. Although Clint Leeman’s recovery from a tendon injury is progressing well, the experienced midfielder will sit out this time.

Key factors to consider

• Groningen had lost a game since March (4-1 against Heracles)
• The hosts finished their pre-season tour undefeated (W5D2)
• NAC Breda was promoted to Eredivisie after winning three play-off ties
• The visitors’ preparations for the return in Dutch’s top flight were below expectations (W1D2L4)

Conclusion

Returning to Eredivisie in great style, we expect Groningen to continue their impressive run with a win in the season’s debut game against a NAC Breda side that disappointed in the pre-season tour.

Verdict: Home win

Best odds: 29/50

Bookmaker: ZetBet