In a highly anticipated showdown, NAC Breda and SBV Excelsior are set to clash in the first leg of the Eredivisie Promotion Playoff final at Rat Verlegh Stadion.
Both teams have demonstrated remarkable form in recent weeks, with NAC Breda overcoming the odds to reach this stage and Excelsior displaying their top-flight pedigree with a record-breaking semi-final victory.
NAC Breda's Road to the Final
NAC Breda, often referred to as the Pearl of the South, has had a surprising and impressive run in the Eerste Divisie.
Finishing eighth in the regular season with 56 points from 38 matches, they have defied expectations in the Promotion Playoffs.
Their remarkable 4-1 aggregate win over Emmen in the semi-final showcased their attacking prowess, with key contributions from Sigurd Haugen, Jan van den Bergh, and Roy Kuijpers.
Unbeaten in their last eight matches, NAC Breda is in sensational form heading into this crucial first leg against SBV Excelsior. Their last defeat came against Dordrecht on April 12, and since then, they have found their scoring touch, netting 12 goals in just four playoff fixtures.
SBV Excelsior's First-Tier Experience
SBV Excelsior, after finishing 16th in the Eredivisie, demonstrated their top-flight quality by thrashing ADO Den Haag 9-2 on aggregate in their semi-final.
A record-breaking 7-1 victory in the second leg highlighted their offensive capabilities, with standout performances from Couhaib Driouech, Julian Baas, Kenzo Goudmijn, and Lazaros Lamprou. Tottenham Hotspur loanee Troy Parrott also made headlines with a hat-trick.
Despite their dominant display, Excelsior will remember their 4-1 defeat to NAC Breda in October 2021 and will aim to avoid a repeat of that performance.
Team News
NAC Breda
Belgian centre-back Jan van den Bergh, instrumental in the semi-final win, will retain his spot in the defence alongside Cuco Martina.
However, Boy Kemper's potential absence due to an injury could see Patrick Brouwer starting at left back.
Probable Lineup
Van de Merbel; Lucassen, Martina, Van den Bergh, Brouwer; Jensen, Staring, Kuijpers, Omgba, Janosek; Haugen.
SBV Excelsior
Excelsior will likely field a similar XI to the one that triumphed over ADO Den Haag. Key absences include Serano Seymor (foot), Lennard Hartjes (knee), and Kik Pierie (foot).
Probable Lineup
Van Gassel; Benita, Horemans, El Yaakoubi, Zagre; Goudmijn, Baas, Lamprou, Duijvestijn, Driouech; Parrott.
Prediction
With both teams in prolific form, this first-leg encounter at Rat Verlegh Stadion promises to be an exciting affair.
NAC Breda’s recent performances have been impressive, but SBV Excelsior’s Eredivisie experience might give them a slight edge.
Our Prediction: NAC Breda 1-2 SBV Excelsior
