Nijmegen vs Olympiacos Prediction 11 August 2026
🔊 The first match in Piraeus ended in a stalemate, with a 0:0 draw. NEC looked more dangerous in attack but failed to convert their chances into goals. Now everything will be decided in Nijmegen at Stadion de Goffert. And there's no guarantee the teams will settle it in regular time. The winner of this tie will play in the Champions League qualifying play-offs, while the loser will drop into the Europa League.
Head-to-Head
📊 The first qualifying match ended in a draw and now it all comes down to one game. The winner goes through. In 2024 the clubs met in a friendly, which Olympiacos won (2:0).
Head-to-head statistics Nijmegen - Olympiacos
NEC Nijmegen Team Overview
Dick Advocaat's Schreuder-managed side, who finished third last season, surprisingly lost at home to Telstar (1:2) in the first round of the Eredivisie. In the first match against the Greeks, NEC looked the better team by xG (1.28 vs 0.6), creating more dangerous chances but failing to score.
The poor start to the season adds extra pressure ahead of the return European leg. At home, NEC are not particularly reliable defensively: the team has conceded in 9 of their last 10 home matches, but they score regularly - their scoring streak stands at 23 games. The hosts' style is fast-paced football with active use of the flanks, which leads to frequent corners.
Match Results: NEC Nijmegen
Olympiacos Team Overview
The match against NEC was the first official game for the Red and Whites in the new season. The team failed to make use of home advantage and generally looked the weaker side. In pre-season preparation, Olympiacos played six friendly matches, three of them against Eredivisie sides: they beat Fortuna Sittard (3:1), but lost to Ajax (0:1) and AZ Alkmaar (2:3).
Away from home, the team have a trend towards low-scoring matches - no more than three goals in 12 of their last 13 away games. Experience playing against Dutch clubs in friendlies may help Olympiacos prepare better for NEC's style, but their physical condition is not yet at the required level, and there is nothing to be done about that.
Match Results: Olympiacos
Latest news
NEC Nijmegen
⚡️ Kodai Sano, one of last season's key players, is on the verge of a €20 million move to PSV. The transfer saga has turned into a scandal: Sano refused to come on against Olympiacos, which angered technical director Carlos Albers, who called the situation very disappointing. This could affect the atmosphere within the squad ahead of the most important match of the season.
Olympiacos
❌ In the first match, injured Santiago Hezze was not included in the squad. Lorenzo Scipioni recovered from injury but did not take part in the game. Georgios Masouras missed the match despite being fit - his absence is linked to rumours of a move to Saudi Arabia. He will most likely not play in the second leg either.
🟨 Yellow Cards Prediction
The first match ended in a draw, and any mistake could prove decisive. That will weigh on both teams - they may get nervous and foul more often. The match referee's statistics support this scenario: Maurizio Mariani from Italy has taken charge of 14 international matches in 2025-2026, averaging 3.5 yellow cards per match. We're going with total yellow cards over 3.5.
⚽️ Goals Prediction
In the first match both teams had chances to score, but the goalkeepers performed well. Taking into account NEC's record in home matches, where they consistently score but very rarely keep a clean sheet, we're taking both teams to score (yes) at odds of 1.85*. This bet has come in in 7 of the last 8 matches involving the Dutch side.
🚩 Corners Prediction
NEC are playing at home, look to transition quickly and make active use of the flanks. That style leads to frequent corners. Away from home, Schreuder's side lost this battle, but on their own ground they will be more active, so we expect NEC to win the corners at odds of 1.94*. Notably, Olympiacos lost the corner count in their last two friendlies against Dutch sides.
🚀 Player Statistics Bet
You can consider a goal by Kaj Sierhuis at odds of 3.17*. At the start of the season he is not the team's main striker, but he was the one who got NEC's goals going, scoring in the first round of the Dutch championship. Having moved from Fortuna Sittard, the forward has something to prove at his new club, and a goal in the Champions League would be a big step on that journey.
😱 Risky Bet
After a goalless draw in the first match, an open game in the return leg seems unlikely. A goal conceded becomes critical - it forces the opposition to take risks and leave their defence exposed. Most likely both sides will keep a close eye on their own goal, especially in the first half. Goals are possible, but a clear advantage for either team probably won't materialise. We're going with a draw at 3.46*.
🎯 Safe Bet
Both teams will be cautious, with a place in the Champions League qualifying play-offs on the line. That could lead to low scoring, and you can take total goals under 3.5 at odds of 1.28*. The statistics back this up: no more than three goals have been recorded in each of NEC's last six matches in a row, and in 12 of Olympiacos's last 13 away games.
👀 If the Match Goes Off Script
The visitors, aware of their opponents' superior physical condition, may push hard from the opening minutes and try to go ahead quickly. However, even if they manage to do so, that won't end the hosts' ambitions. NEC have already played two competitive matches, and in the most recent one they scored after second-half substitutions. They have scored after the break in 22 of their last 23 home matches. So it's worth looking at a NEC goal in the 2nd half at 1.89*.
*Odds are indicative and may vary across different bookmakers.
⭐ Editor's Pick
The teams are roughly equal. NEC looked better in the first match, but the Sano scandal and the league defeat have added nerves. Olympiacos didn't show their best football, yet they have experience and know how to play away from home. Cautious football with a minimum of goals seems likely. Everything, it seems to us, will be decided in extra time or a penalty shootout. The editors' pick is total goals under 2.5, which has come in in 7 of Olympiacos's last 8 official matches. Predicted score - 1:1.
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Betting Tips: NEC Nijmegen - Olympiacos
in 7 of last 8 games.in 15 of last 16 away games.
in 22 of last 23 NEC Nijmegen home games.in 17 of last 18 NEC Nijmegen games.in last 5 Olympiacos away games.
in last 7 Maurizio Mariani games (in the Champions League).in last 6 NEC Nijmegen games.in 12 of last 13 Olympiacos away games.in last 6 Olympiacos games (Champions League).in last 7 Maurizio Mariani games.in last 6 Maurizio Mariani games (in the Champions League).in 29 of last 30 games.in last 23 home games.
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