ERIK SAYS :

FC Groningen v NAC Breda,
Football: Netherlands, Eredivisie 2009/2010
Sunday, 16th August 2009 - Kickoff 16:30 CET

---

FC Groningen

FC Groningen grabbed a 1-1 draw on the road to Roda JC last Saturday thanks to a goal from Lovre (mid) halfway the first half.

The hosts opened the score after sixteen minutes in the first half but a perfect strike from the Groningen midfielder allowed the visitors back in the game.

All attacking intentions from FC Groningen in the second half could be thrown overboard six minutes after halftime with Holla (mid) picking up a red card meaning automatically missing the game against NAC Breda on Sunday and FC Groningen having to continue with ten men.

The visitors managed to defend the draw despite being put under pressure in the final ten minutes of the game, with Van Loo (gk) performing a few excellent saves.

For the game against NAC Breda on Sunday the team will miss Holla (mid) due to a two-game suspension, first goalkeeper Luciano (gk) with a knee injury, midfielder Andersson (mid) with a knee injury and the presence of Garcia (att) will be doubtful with the striker picking up a knee injury.

NAC Breda

NAC Breda booked a goalless draw at home to Heracles Almelo on Sunday in front of an empty stadium due to a penalty from the KNVB after a firework incident last season.

Nobody was quite happy with the situation and both Heracles Almelo and NAC Breda seemed to be influenced heavily by the absence of the crowd, with only a handful of chances being created throughout the ninety minutes.

In the first half the hosts got close in opening the score twice thanks to efforts from Amoah (att) and Loran (def) and in the second half both teams could have picked up three points with Dost (att) missing alone in front of Ten Rouwelaer (gk) and Lurling (att) not managing to curl the ball over the fingertips of the Heracles goalkeeper.

NAC will be without team captain Penders (def) on Sunday and Van der Leegte (mid) is also expected to miss the game in Groningen.

The Betting Verdict

FC Groningen has not been the team from last season yet although playing a good first half against Roda JC last Saturday.

The team has not been able to cope with the departure of Berg (att) and the team may also lose defender Granqvist (def) to AZ somewhere during the next two weeks.

NAC Breda has been playing solid over the last few weeks, having played more games thanks to their European campaign and with the confidence in the team being quite high at the moment I can see them picking up at least a point in Groningen, especially considering the fact that NAC Breda holds one of the best away records in the league over the past two years.

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take NAC Breda AH +0.5 goal not to lose (4/10)