NEC Nijmegen vs Groningen Prediction

Right then, let's have a proper look at this Eredivisie clash between NEC Nijmegen and Groningen. Both sides are knocking about in mid-table, but there's plenty of spice to this one.

NEC are sitting 8th with 15 points, while Groningen are a couple of spots above in 5th with 19 points. But forget the table for a minute - the real story here is goals, goals, goals.

NEC at home are like watching end-to-end basketball. They're banging in 2.75 goals per game on their own patch, but here's the kicker - they're also letting in 2.25! That's proper entertainment for the neutral, but nerve-wracking stuff if you're a fan. Their recent form's been a bit hit and miss - they drew 3-3 with Twente, lost 1-0 to Utrecht, but did manage to beat AZ Alkmaar 2-1 at home.

Groningen, meanwhile, have been the better side overall this season. They're averaging 1.6 points per game compared to NEC's 1.2. On their travels, they're actually scoring more than at home (1.8 vs 1.4), but they're also conceding a fair few - 2.2 per game away from home. They drew 1-1 with Twente last time out and had that shocking 5-2 cup defeat to Sparta Rotterdam.

When these two have met before, it's usually been a goal fest. Seven of their nine previous encounters have gone over 2.5 goals, and both teams have found the net in six of those nine games. NEC actually have a decent home record against Groningen - unbeaten in three meetings at their place.

The stats are screaming goals here. NEC's home games are averaging nearly 5 goals per game combined, and Groningen's away matches aren't far behind at 4 per game. Both teams to score has landed in 80% of NEC's recent games and 50% of Groningen's.

With both sides looking shaky at the back but capable up front, I'm expecting another high-scoring affair in this one.