NEC Nijmegen v VVV Venlo
Football: Netherlands: Eredivisie 2010/2011
Saturday, 7th August 2010 - Kickoff 18:45

NEC Nijmegen

NEC has been a stable mid-table club over the last few last years, with a dissapointing season last season. A 13th position shows that some bad luck can bring them in relegation danger, something that must be prevented and shouldn't be too hard looking at their squad.

It's a mix of hard work and talent, with midfielders Davids and Sibum and striker Vleminckx working their way around, while midfielder Schone and winger Goossens are stylists who are responsible for the creativity.

This is a good mix and should be working, especially after main man Schone is fit after being injured almost whole last season, playing only 5 matches. I'm convinced this is the main reason of NEC's dissapointing season, and without any real incoming transfers this is the most important addition.

In this match NEC manager Vloet will be opting for a 4-3-3 formation with wingers with an individual action and a cross, and Schone as offensive midfielder behind the 3 forwards. NEC can be vulnerable at the back as the defenders lack speed and this must be supported by the 2 more defensive midfielders.

Some players have left the club, and midfielder Sarpong who was on loan from ajax last half season was the most notable one with many important assists. But as said before this is already solved having Schone back. Preperation results are not very good, with losses against Ergotelis and Hibernian and draws against Cracovia Krakow and Widzew Lodz.

VVV Venlo

VVV had a decent season last season with 2 different stories. Before the winter break it was all about Japanese midfielder Keisuke Honda, at that time not really known when playing for VVV. CSKA bought him and after his impact on the WC everyone knows what he's capable of. Honda was the main reason VVV survived, as with him they collected such an amount of points, the dramatic second half of the season didn't really matter.

But now this new season will be totally different. Without Honda, and also losing topscorer Calabro to Sankt Gallen, and threatening winger Schaken and midfielder Auassar both to Feyenoord. Also creative midfielder Garcia-Garcia who was on loan to replace Honda has left.

This leaves VVV with huge gaps in their line-up as these were all high-calibre players for VVV. So far they have loaned 2 players of FC Porto, Josue and Chula, but those 2 aren't starters probably, and brought in midfielder Linssen from MVV. Also Hungarian midfielder Toth has been a confirmed loan transfer today. So players who were adapting to the Eredivsie last season will have to do the job together with the new signings.

Those players will have to fill in the blank positions, and it might take a period before this is working out. All in all, these players have the skill but on the verge of playing their first full season might take an adaption period too.

VVV lost their last 5 preparation matches, with losses against Alemannia Aachen, Helmond Sport, Bor. M'Gladbach, Telstar and West bromwich. As I said before friendlies are only indicators, but this shows VVV is still not a team that's running smooth.

The Betting Verdict

NEC is building on last year's fundaments, and the tactics are clear for this match. VVV will be put under pressure, and playing with wingers will have to bring them chances of capitalizing their possesion.

VVV will be leaning on the individual class and try to use NEC's weakness in defense if possible. But under current circumstances I find it hard to imagine how VVV will be able take a point here. The building of a new team has just begun and will take time, something they're not getting.

One thing is for sure, VVV had a top season mainly because of the first half with Honda, but are so degraded compared to last season that the 12th position will turn out almost impossible to repeat. Interwetten offers 2.00 for NEC to win, and that's acceptable for me.

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take NEC Nijmegen to win @ 2.00 at Interwetten