Sports Mole previews Sunday’s KNVB Beker clash between Feyenoord and NEC, including predictions, team news and possible line-ups.
Feyenoord And NEC Nijmegen faces off in the final of the KNVB Beker in De Kuip on Sunday evening.
Although last season’s Eredivisie champions are favorites, especially when the game is at home, their opponents have been one of the surprises in the Dutch top flight.
Match Preview
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Feyenoord started this season looking to defend their league title and extend their run in Europe, but Arne SlotThe team must attempt to lift the KNVB Beker for the first time since 2018.
There have been very few problems with Feyenoord’s form; they are on a 16-match unbeaten streak in the Eredivisie, a run that has lasted since December.
What’s more, they only crashed out of the Europa League to Roma in the knockout rounds on penalties, but Slot’s side can at least finish the campaign with some silverware under their belt.
In a competition where the final is played at home, Feyenoord have also played all four of their matches at this year’s tournament at De Kuip.
FC Utrecht, last season’s winners PSV Eindhoven, AZ Alkmaar and Groningen were all beaten, although Feyenoord never scored more than twice in a single match.
These two teams are no strangers to this competition, with Feyenoord having beaten NEC on penalties in last season’s quarter-finals.
The NECs are a much different animal now, with Roger MeijerThe Italian team is in sixth position in the Eredivisie standings, six places higher than in 2022-23.
Only two defeats have been recorded in their last 17 Eredivisie matches; NEC also drew 2-2 against Feyenoord in the corresponding league match at De Kuip in January.
In order to reach the final of a competition they are trying to win for the first time in their history, NEC beat Roda JC, GVVV, Go Ahead Eagles, ADO Den Haag and Cambuur, the latter in overtime in the semi-finals. final. finals.
Feyenoord KNVB Beker form:
Feyenoord form (all competitions):
NEC KNVB Beker form:
NEC form (all competitions):
Team News
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Barring any injury issues, it is plausible that Slot will keep the same Feyenoord XI that started at Fortuna Sittard last Sunday.
After three consecutive clean sheets, no changes are likely to be made to the back line, but Ramiz Zerrouki And Ayase Ueda are more advanced options.
Although Justin Bijlow was able to return to the substitutes’ bench last weekend, second choice goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther should keep his place between the sticks.
Dirk himself was a surprise starter for NEC against PEC Zwolle last week after suffering a hamstring injury, but the midfielder had to be withdrawn after just 32 minutes.
It is likely that Kodai Sano will move to central midfield with Roder being brought to the side, while Lasse Schöne is pushing to return to the team for the first time since late March.
Possible starting line-up of Feyenoord:
Wellenreuther; Nieuwkoop, Beelen, Hancko, Geertruida; Stengs, Wieffer, Wood; Minteh, Giménez, Paixao
Possible starting composition of NEC:
Cillessen; Pereira, Sandler, Nuytinck, Verdonk; Hoedemakers, Sano; Hansen, Chery, Roder; Ogawa
We say: Feyenoord 2-0 NEC
While many may view this contest as a foregone conclusion, it should – in reality – be a competitive match with NEC relishing their underdog tags. Nonetheless, Feyenoord should have enough experience and quality to put in a professional performance and secure a win, perhaps even with a clean sheet.
For data analysis of most likely outcomes, scores and more for this match, please click here.
