22 March 2026 at 11:15

Eredivisie · Season 2025

Match Summary

NEC Nijmegen and Heerenveen drew 2:2. The match was played in Eredivisie 2025. Goals were scored by T. Chery 19′, J. Trenskow 37′, R. Meerveld 45′, T. Chery 57′. NEC Nijmegen had 55% possession while Heerenveen held 45%. NEC Nijmegen had 22 shots (10 on target) compared to 10 (4 on target) for Heerenveen. Expected goals: NEC Nijmegen 2.22 — Heerenveen 1.24. NEC Nijmegen made 4 substitutions, Heerenveen made 5.

Match Events

Key match events between NEC Nijmegen and Heerenveen — 4 goals and 0 cards recorded during the match.

NEC Nijmegen
Heerenveen
Kick Off
J. CillessenR. Janse
6′
T. Chery
19′
37′
J. Trenskow

assist: V. Zagaritis

45′
R. Meerveld

assist: J. van Overeem

Half Time
T. Chery

assist: K. Sano

57′
J. WillemsD. Fonville
63′
B. LinssenY. El Kachati
63′
66′
M. LindayL. Brouwers
77′
M. WillemsenN. Hopland
77′
D. VenteN. Courtens
77′
S. KerstenH. Petrov
N. LebretonK. Ogawa
88′
89′
R. MeerveldL. Oyen
Full Time

Match Statistics

NEC Nijmegen had 55% possession against Heerenveen's 45%. NEC Nijmegen registered 22 shots (10 on target) while Heerenveen managed 10 (4 on target). Corner kicks: 6–2. Fouls committed: 6–11.

10Shots on Goal4
7Shots off Goal4
22Total Shots10
5Blocked Shots2
14Shots insidebox7
8Shots outsidebox3
6Fouls11
6Corner Kicks2
4Offsides0
55%Ball Possession45%
0Yellow Cards0
0Red Cards0
2Goalkeeper Saves8
414Total passes342
339Passes accurate242
82%Passes %71%
2.22expected_goals1.24
0goals_prevented0

Lineups

NEC Nijmegen lined up in a 3-4-2-1 formation under Dick Schreuder, while Heerenveen deployed a 4-2-3-1 under Robin Veldman.

Squad Ratings

The overall squad rating for NEC Nijmegen is 7.13, compared to 6.90 for Heerenveen. This metric is derived from each player's average match rating across all league appearances this season — anything above 7.00 is considered strong, while below 6.50 signals inconsistency. NEC Nijmegen's highest-rated starter is Jasper Cillessen (7.40), while Heerenveen's best-rated player is Jacob Trenskow (7.26).

Attacking Output

The starting XI of NEC Nijmegen have contributed 13 goals and 7 assists this season, led by Sami Ouaissa (6G). Heerenveen's starters account for 22 goals and 18 assists, spearheaded by Jacob Trenskow (11G). Goals reflect clinical finishing and chance creation, while assists highlight the ability to unlock defences through through-balls, crosses, and set pieces.

Defensive Solidity

NEC Nijmegen deploy 3 defenders rated 7.00 on average, against Heerenveen's 4-man backline averaging 6.80. Higher defensive ratings suggest better positional awareness, fewer individual errors, and a greater likelihood of keeping clean sheets. The rating accounts for tackles won, interceptions, aerial duels, and blocks throughout the season.

Midfield Control

NEC Nijmegen field 4 midfielders averaging 7.15, versus Heerenveen's 5 rated 7.05. Midfield ratings reflect passing accuracy, interceptions, key passes, and overall control of possession — the team that dominates midfield typically dictates the tempo and territory of the match.

Forward Threat

NEC Nijmegen start 3 forward(s) averaging 6.95, compared to 1 for Heerenveen averaging —. Forward ratings capture shot accuracy, movement off the ball, dribbling success, and involvement in build-up play — they indicate who carries the greater goal threat on the day.

Passing & Build-Up

Passing accuracy averages 75% for NEC Nijmegen and 79% for Heerenveen. Higher passing accuracy generally indicates a possession-based style with patient build-up through the thirds, while lower figures may suggest a more direct, counter-attacking approach with long balls and quick transitions.

Discipline

NEC Nijmegen's starters have collected 18 yellow cards this season, compared to 25 for Heerenveen. Yellow cards reflect how aggressively a team presses and tackles — a high count may indicate a physical, high-pressing style but also risks suspensions and late free-kicks in dangerous areas.

Age & Experience

The average age of NEC Nijmegen's starting XI is 25.4 (youngest: Sami Ouaissa (21), oldest: Jasper Cillessen (36)), while Heerenveen average 23.7 (youngest: Mats Egbring (19), oldest: Joris van Overeem (31)). Younger squads typically offer pace, energy, and pressing intensity, while experienced lineups bring composure, game management, and the ability to handle high-pressure moments.

Squad Depth

NEC Nijmegen's starters average 18 league appearances each, versus 23 for Heerenveen. High appearance counts indicate an established, well-drilled unit that the manager trusts week in and week out. Lower figures may suggest rotation, injuries, or emerging players still earning their place in the team.

NEC NijmegenPosition StrengthHeerenveen
7.13
Avg Rating
6.90
7.40🧤 GK (1 v 1)6.73
0G 0A0G 0A
7.00🛡 DEF (3 v 4)6.80
1G 0A4G 3A
7.15 MID (4 v 5)7.05
9G 3A18G 15A
6.95 FWD (3 v 1)
3G 4A0G 0A
NEC Nijmegen3-4-2-1
22🧤GKJasper Cillessen7.4
3🛡DEFPhilippe Sandler
4🛡DEFAhmetcan Kaplan7.01G
15🛡DEFJetro Willems
25MIDSami Ouaissa7.06G3A
6MIDDarko Nejašmić7.33G
23MIDKodai Sano
11MIDBaşar Önal
10FWDTjaronn Chery
20FWDNoe Lebreton7.03G4A
30FWDBryan Linssen
Heerenveen4-2-3-1
22🧤GKBernt Klaverboer6.7
15🛡DEFMats Egbring6.81A
4🛡DEFSam Kersten6.71G
3🛡DEFMaas Willemsen6.81G
19🛡DEFVasilios Zagaritis6.92G2A
16MIDMarcus Linday6.82A
6MIDJoris van Overeem7.22G7A
20MIDJacob Trenskow7.311G3A
10MIDRingo Meerveld7.05G3A
9MIDDylan Vente
18FWDLasse Selvåg Nordås

Substitutes

17(D)Bram Nuytinck
8(M)Isak Hansen Aarøen
9(F)Danilo
18(F)Koki Ogawa

Substitutes

36(M)Nolhan Courtens
38(D)Ingmar Mulder
35(M)Isaiah Ahmed

Recent Form

In their last 6 matches, NEC Nijmegen have recorded 3 wins, 2 draws and 1 defeats. Heerenveen show 4 wins, 1 draws and 1 losses from their last 6 outings.

NEC Nijmegen

DWWWLD

Heerenveen

DWWWLW

Head to Head

NEC Nijmegen and Heerenveen have met 1 times — NEC Nijmegen won 0, Heerenveen won 1, with 0 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2025. Heerenveen leads the head-to-head with 1 victories from 1 meetings. A combined 5 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 5.00 per match (2 for the home side, 3 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 1 matches (100%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 1 games (100%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. The highest-scoring encounter finished 3–2 in 2025.

0

NEC Nijmegen

0

Drawn

1

Heerenveen

Goals: 2Goals: 3

Recent Meetings (1)

21 Sept 2025Heerenveen3 – 2NEC Nijmegen

API data: 22 Mar 2026

NEC Nijmegen vs Heerenveen — Match Details | Betmana - Sports Betting