Nijmegen vs Excelsior Prediction & Betting Tips (8 September)

NEC Nijmegen will host Excelsior at Stadion de Goffert on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, in a key Eredivisie 2026/27 fixture that promises plenty of attacking football. Both teams have made encouraging starts to the new season and will be eager to collect three points and climb the early standings. Kick-off is scheduled for 16:45 UTC in Nijmegen, where the home side will look to leverage their familiar surroundings against a confident Excelsior outfit.

Nijmegen have assembled an impressive squad for the 2026/27 campaign under manager Dick Schreuder, with captain Tjaronn Chery already leading the club's scoring charts with three goals. The team lines up in a versatile 3-4-1-2 formation featuring veteran playmaker Dusan Tadic and striker Bryan Linssen in attack, while goalkeeper Gonzalo Crettaz is shielded by defenders Bram Nuytinck, Tobias Storm, and Deveron Fonville. Their recent form has been strong, recording a 1-3 away win at PEC Zwolle and a commanding 1-4 victory over Willem II, results that underline their attacking potency heading into this clash.

Excelsior have also begun the season in promising fashion under manager Ruben den Uil, operating primarily in a 4-3-3 system that maximizes their width and pressing intensity. Captain Casper Widell anchors the defense alongside Rick Meissen and Jan Plug, while Simon Janssen and Noah Naujoks provide creativity and goals from midfield. Goalkeeper Stijn van Gassel has been in solid form behind a backline that has shown resilience in the opening weeks. Their confidence is high after a 2-1 home triumph against Sparta Rotterdam and a ruthless 0-4 away demolition of Cambuur, proving they can be a threat on the road.

European bookmakers have made NEC Nijmegen the clear favorites for this encounter, pricing a home win at 1.75, the draw at 3.90, and an Excelsior victory at 4.33. The total goals market is set at 2.75 with over available at 1.98, suggesting an open and entertaining match is anticipated. Given Nijmegen's firepower through Chery, Tadic, and Linssen, combined with their strong home record and Excelsior's occasional defensive lapses away from home, our prediction is a 3-1 victory for the hosts. Both sides have the quality to score, but the depth and experience of the Nijmegen squad for the 2026/27 season should ultimately see them claim all three points at Goffertstad