Excelsior vs NAC Breda Prediction

Right then, let's have a proper look at this Eredivisie scrap between two sides who'd both rather be higher up the table. Excelsior and NAC Breda are sitting pretty in the relegation zone, and someone's getting a chance to breathe a bit easier come Saturday afternoon.

Excelsior have had their moments, haven't they? That 2-1 win at Ajax was absolutely top drawer - proper smash and grab stuff that shows they've got some fight in them. But let's not get carried away, their home form has been shocking stuff. Winning just 25% of their home games and only managing 0.75 goals per game at their own patch? That's not going to have the home fans singing from the rooftops, is it?

NAC Breda, bless 'em, have been proper travelers from hell this season. Not a single away win in their last four on the road, and they're shipping goals like there's no tomorrow - 2.25 per game away from home. To be fair, they do score a few more than Excelsior (1.75 on their travels), but when you're conceding nearly two and a half goals every away match, you're always going to be up against it.

Now here's where it gets interesting for us punters. When these two have met in the past, it's usually been proper entertainment. Six of their eight meetings have seen both teams get on the scoresheet, and six have gone over 2.5 goals. The head-to-head at Excelsior's place is evenly matched too - one win each and a draw.

Looking at the recent numbers, both sides have been about as solid as a chocolate teapot defensively. Excelsior are keeping clean sheets just 20% of the time, while NAC are even worse at 10%. NAC have seen both teams score in 80% of their recent games, which tells you everything you need to know about their defensive setup.

With both teams needing the points and neither able to keep it tight at the back, we could be in for a proper goal fest. Neither side has much to lose, and when you've got two desperate teams with leaky defenses, goals usually follow.

Key Points:

• Excelsior's massive 2-1 win at Ajax shows they can punch above their weight

• NAC Breda haven't won any of their last four away games

• Both teams have been defensively generous - Excelsior 20% clean sheets, NAC just 10%

• Head-to-head shows both teams score in 75% of meetings

• NAC have seen both teams score in 80% of their recent matches

The numbers are pointing one way here, and it's not towards a tight, defensive masterclass. Both teams to score looks like the smart play given what we've seen from both sides lately.