SC Heerenveen v NAC Breda
Football : Netherlands : Eredivisie 2010/2011
Saturday, 21st August 2010 - Kickoff 19:45

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SC Heerenveen

Heerenveen are still winless after 2 rounds, but looking at their opponents so far that's not a miracle. They have played title candidates PSV at home and defending champions FC Twente away. Against PSV they played pretty well, but were not good enough to match up against PSV's mature play. Against Twente they got a point after a goalless draw, and it was a more defensive game that brought them their first point.

Now back at home they're ready to go for their first victory. Heerenveen plays their convincing attacking game at home, very energetic and from start there's concentration. A classic formation with wingers upfront, a playmaking midfielder behind the targetman and 2 more balancing midfielders.

This gives Heerenveen a lot of opportunities and with more possession than their opponents it's hard to resist this pressure. Heerenveen has had a lot of trouble with their goalkeepers, but Kenny Steppe who looked insecure last season was the best player in their last match. All signs are good for them.

NAC Breda

NAC had a terrible afternoon last Sunday, losing 3-1 at Utrecht and finishing the match with 9 men. As predicted Dries Mertens was a constant plague for NAC's defense, which resulted in 2 yellow cards for defender Janse.

A handball on the line resulted in a red card for Gorter too. NAC had problems stopping Mertens off, without defenders that could play him out of the match. He created spaces for himself and NAC was constantly a step too late.

Now the problems are not over with the 2 suspended players, Gorter and Janse. Furthermore forward Lurling is still too injured to play, and so are defender Snoyl and midfielder Kwakman.

These players would be starters if fit, and NAC doesn't have a big squad with able replacements. Again the defense will be mixed up, as Kwakman started in the heart of the defense due to the lack of defenders last week against Utrecht.

The Betting Verdict

NAC had problems stopping off Utrecht, and they probably have the same problems against Heerenveen. Heerenveen has players with individual qualities too, as winger Beerens, and it's not likely they can be stopped by any of the defenders on the pitch, as the situation hasn't bettered since last week.

NAC is without 5 players, and the defense will be improvised again. A scenario where NAC is trying to hold on as long as possible is on the verge here, but it's somehow impossible for them to hold on 90 minutes.

Heerenveen is playing their usual game at home, using the whole pitch and combinating and dribbling to chances. It takes a lot of strength to defend this, and with the decreased manpower of NAC, a Heerenveen victory is my call.

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take SC Heerenveen -1 AH at 1.95