NEC Nijmegen and Levski Sofia were both expected to struggle in this season’s UEFA Europa League (UEL) and that certainly was the case in the opening round, as both sides recorded a defeat to nil.
Match News and Current Form
NEC’s loss was comfortably the more painful of the two as they were thrashed 5-0 by Juventus, in what was the biggest defeat by a Dutch side in the UEL since February 2017. That was hardly the start to their league phase campaign that they were hoping for in their first European main draw game for more than 17 years, but Dick Schreuder’s men responded to that thumping with 1-1 draws against Go Ahead Eagles and Ajax in the Eredivisie, although they remain without a win in six matches across all competitions (D3, L3). Recording a negative aggregate score of 11-1 across their last three continental encounters this season, NEC should fancy their chances of improvement here against a side they will be expected to beat, despite their current four-game run without a competitive home victory (D2, L2).
In their first European main draw encounter since 2010/11, Levski were the only team on matchday one of this season’s UEL who failed to register a shot on target, losing 1-0 to Red Bull Salzburg. A 2-0 triumph in Bulgarian top-flight action on Sunday was therefore just what the doctor ordered, ending a three-game competitive winless streak (D1, L2). Their record in this competition away from home makes for pretty grim reading though, as they have lost five of their six such main draw matches (W1), failing to score in any of those defeats.
Head-to-Head History
NEC have never faced a team from Bulgaria before, while Levski have lost all six of their away games against Dutch opposition, conceding at least two goals each time.
Hot Stats and Streaks
Ten of NEC’s last 12 games featured over 2.5 goals.
NEC kept a first-half clean sheet in only one of their last nine matches.
Just one of Levski’s last eight European games saw both teams score.
Levski conceded seven of their last eight goals after half-time.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Despite being a defender, Perr Schuurs has registered three goal involvements in six games since joining NEC (G2, A1) - his joint-most goal contributions already in a season since 2018/19. Mehdi Moubarik netted for Levski on Sunday, meaning that he has been on the winning side in all five of his scoring appearances in his senior career to date.
NEC goalkeeper Gonzalo Crettaz is available again in the UEL following a one-game suspension, while Bram Nuytinck, Dennis Geiger and Kaj Sierhuis all missed the match against Ajax. Levski’s Mustapha Sangaré went off injured on Sunday.
For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.
Betting Analysis
Given Levski’s recent defensive vulnerability after half-time, backing NEC to score in the second half seems sensible.
Author: Alex Bowmer