Ajax vs NEC Nijmegen Predictions

EredivisieEredivisie · Netherlands
high confidence
Ajax

Ajax

Full Time

1 - 1

AI predicted 2 - 1

NEC Nijmegen

NEC Nijmegen

🗓️ Saturday, 21 Feb 2026 at 21:00 CET (venue time) · 20:00 UTC (your time)📍 Johan Cruijff Arena, Amsterdam

Win Probability (1X2)

Ajax 51%Draw 32%NEC Nijmegen 17%

Best Value Pick

BTTS: Yes

@ 3.25(+30% edge)

Match Result

7.5/10

Ajax Held by Spirited NEC Nijmegen in Entertaining Eredivisie Stalemate

Ajax and NEC Nijmegen played out a compelling 1-1 draw at the Johan Cruijff Arena, with both sides enjoying spells of dominance but ultimately unable to find a decisive winner. Ajax struck first through Kasper Dolberg in the 39th minute, but NEC responded well after the break, equalizing in the 57th minute to ensure a share of the spoils. NEC edged possession (51%) and were the more enterprising side in attack, firing 17 shots with 8 on target, compared to Ajax’s 9 shots and 4 on target. Both teams created chances and were well-matched tactically, but a combination of resilient defending and strong goalkeeping ensured the points were split in Amsterdam.

🔥 AI Prediction Report

CERTIFIED W

Predicted

2 - 1

⚡

Actual

1 - 1

❌Result
✅BTTS
❌O/U 2.5
❌Score

💰 Bet Results2/2 hit

btts — yes@ 3.25
✅
1x2 — draw@ 3.9
✅

Key Moments

39' — Goal

Kasper Dolberg finishes off a swift Ajax attack to put the hosts ahead.

57' — Goal

Bryan Linssen levels for NEC Nijmegen after sustained pressure.

67' — Yellow Card

Ajax’s only yellow card, reflecting growing NEC pressure.

74' — Yellow Card

NEC pick up a yellow card as the contest heats up in midfield.

Ajax

Ajax

6.5/10

Ajax began brightly and took the lead late in the first half, capitalizing on their attacking trio in the 4-3-3 setup. Kasper Dolberg’s opener gave them momentum, but they struggled to maintain control after the interval. Despite creating a handful of promising chances (4 shots on target from 9 attempts), Ajax were pegged back by NEC’s relentless pressure and ultimately had to settle for a point. The midfield trio worked hard to retain possession and transition quickly, but Ajax’s inability to assert themselves after the break and withstand NEC’s attacking waves proved costly.

Key Players

Kasper Dolberg: Opened the scoring with a well-taken goal in the 39th minute.
Maarten Paes: Made several important saves to keep Ajax in the match, facing 8 shots on target.

Strengths

Clinical finishing in the first halfSolid goalkeeping under pressure

Weaknesses

Struggled to control possession in the second halfAllowed too many shots (17 conceded)
NEC Nijmegen

NEC Nijmegen

7/10

NEC Nijmegen produced a confident display away from home, particularly after falling behind. Their 3-4-2-1 formation allowed them to flood the midfield and create overloads, resulting in 17 shots and a sustained attacking threat throughout the match. Their persistence paid off with a deserved equalizer in the 57th minute, and they continued to push for a winner, ultimately outshooting Ajax and edging possession. Defensively, NEC were robust, with Philippe Sandler marshalling the back three effectively, and the midfield provided energy and bite, albeit at the cost of 16 fouls and a yellow card.

Key Players

Bryan Linssen: Scored the crucial equalizer in the 57th minute to rescue a point.
Philippe Sandler: Led the defense with composure, helping limit Ajax’s chances.

Strengths

High shot volume and attacking intentMidfield control and pressing

Weaknesses

High foul count (16)Needed more clinical finishing to capitalize on dominance

Tactical Analysis

Ajax lined up in a familiar 4-3-3, seeking width and quick transitions through their front three. Their midfield trio worked hard to link defense and attack, but after taking the lead, they were increasingly forced onto the back foot by NEC’s energetic pressing and midfield overloads. NEC’s 3-4-2-1 formation allowed them to dominate central areas and push their wingbacks high, creating numerical superiority and stretching Ajax’s back line. The visitors’ commitment to attacking football was evident in their shot count and willingness to commit bodies forward, while their defensive structure remained largely intact despite Ajax’s early threat.

Turning Point

Bryan Linssen’s equalizer in the 57th minute shifted momentum decisively in NEC’s favor and set up a tense final half-hour.

Man of the Match

Bryan Linssen

His equalizer capped a tireless attacking display and ensured NEC left Amsterdam with a deserved point.

🎮 Prediction Playground

Think the model has it wrong? Nudge each team's expected goals and watch every probability react — then simulate the match and see what happens.

Ajax1.90

Expected goals · model says 1.90

NEC Nijmegen1.15

Expected goals · model says 1.15

Win Probability
Ajax 55% Draw 22% NEC Nijmegen 23%

Over 2.5 Goals

59%

BTTS: Yes

58%

Likely Scores

1-1 · 2-1 · 1-0

Play this match once with the probabilities above — every run is different.

Powered by the same Poisson scoreline model behind the prediction. For fun and exploration — not betting advice.

Ajax vs NEC Nijmegen Prediction Confidence at a Glance

How strongly the model leans on each market.

Match Result (1X2)
51%
32%
17%
Ajax 51%Draw 32%NEC Nijmegen 17%
Both Teams to Score
61%
39%
Yes 61%No 39%
Over/Under 2.5 Goals
62%
38%
Over 2.5 62%Under 2.5 38%
Corners (Over/Under 9.5)
64%
36%
Over 9.5 64%Under 9.5 36%

Who do you think wins: Ajax vs NEC Nijmegen?

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The Case For This Ajax vs NEC Nijmegen Prediction

Ajax host NEC Nijmegen in a clash between two top-4 Eredivisie sides. Both teams are in solid form, with Ajax unbeaten in their last five league matches and NEC winning four of their last five. Ajax's home record is strong, but NEC are prolific scorers away and have the league's highest over 2.5 goals rate. Recent head-to-heads have been competitive, often featuring goals from both sides. Expect an open, attacking contest with Ajax slight favourites, but NEC's threat on the road makes a draw or high-scoring game very plausible.

Key Factors at a Glance

Recent Form

  • →Ajax unbeaten in last 5 league matches, strong at home (8W, 2D, 2L)
  • →Ajax and NEC both have high BTTS rates in last 5 matches (4/5 each)

Defence

  • →Both teams average over 2 goals scored per game, but low clean sheet rates

Injuries & Team News

  • →No significant injuries reported

Match Context

  • →NEC Nijmegen have highest over 2.5 goals rate in Eredivisie (86%)
  • →Last 10 H2H: 6 Ajax wins, 3 draws, 1 NEC win, but recent games more balanced

🚩 Ajax vs NEC Nijmegen Corners Prediction

medium confidence
10.8expected total corners
Over 64%
Under 36%
Over 9.5Under 9.5

Our corners model projects roughly 4.4 corners for Ajax and 6.4 for NEC Nijmegen, for an expected total of 10.8. That makes the model lean Over 9.5 corners (64%). Over 8.5: 75% · Over 10.5: 52%.

More corners tips:Over 9.5 →Under 9.5 →

How Ajax and NEC Nijmegen Are Arriving

Form, fitness and who's likely to start.

Ajax vs NEC Nijmegen Goalscorer Form

Goals scored in last 5 matches across all competitions. Rate = goals ÷ 5 games. XI badge shows player is in the expected starting lineup.

AjaxAjaxlast 5 matches

No scorer data yet — available after predictions are regenerated.

NEC NijmegenNEC Nijmegenlast 5 matches

No scorer data yet — available after predictions are regenerated.

Scorer data populates once predictions are regenerated with the updated pipeline.

Ajax vs NEC Nijmegen — Last 10 Matches

AjaxAjaxLast 10 results
W2-0
W3-0
L1-2
D1-1
W4-0
L1-3
D0-0
D1-1
W4-1
D1-1
W@ NAC Breda2-0
W@ Heracles3-0
Lvs Twente1-2
D@ Feyenoord1-1
Wvs Sparta Rotterdam4-0
L@ Groningen1-3
D@ PEC Zwolle0-0
Dvs NEC Nijmegen1-1
Wvs Fortuna Sittard4-1
D@ AZ Alkmaar1-1
NEC NijmegenNEC NijmegenLast 10 results
D1-1
D1-1
W2-0
D2-2
W3-2
W3-0
L2-3
D1-1
D1-1
L1-3
D@ Twente1-1
Dvs Feyenoord1-1
W@ Excelsior2-0
Dvs Heerenveen2-2
W@ PSV Eindhoven3-2
Wvs FC Volendam3-0
Lvs Fortuna Sittard2-3
D@ Ajax1-1
D@ Sparta Rotterdam1-1
Lvs Utrecht1-3

Strengths

  • +Both teams scoring in most recent games
  • +Over 2.5 goals in 74.19% of games this season

What History Says: Ajax vs NEC Nijmegen

Ajax vs NEC Nijmegen Head-to-Head History

Last 10 meetings between these sides

5

Ajax wins

4

Draws

1

NEC Nijmegen wins

50%40% draws10%
21 Feb 26Ajax vs NEC Nijmegen1-1
20 Dec 25NEC Nijmegen vs Ajax2-2
11 May 25Ajax vs NEC Nijmegen0-3
1 Dec 24NEC Nijmegen vs Ajax1-2
18 Feb 24Ajax vs NEC Nijmegen2-2
3 Dec 23NEC Nijmegen vs Ajax1-2

Things to Watch: Ajax vs NEC Nijmegen

  • ⚠️Some match stats missing for recent games (e.g. shots, possession)
  • ⚠️Lineups not available yet, possible late team news could impact predictions
  • ⚠️Ajax's Champions League schedule may cause rotation/fatigue
  • ⚠️Model confidence moderate due to balanced recent form and high draw rates

This analysis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Betting involves risk — always gamble responsibly.

How This Prediction Was Made

The numbers on this page come from a structured statistical pack for Ajax vs NEC Nijmegen: recent results and scoring data for both sides, home/away splits, the head-to-head record, current league standings, known injuries and live bookmaker odds, all sourced from the API-Football data feed.

An AI model analyses that pack and produces the probabilities, predicted score and written analysis shown above. Nothing is edited by hand, and no information outside the data pack is used.

Last updated: 16 February 2026 (refreshed automatically as new team data arrives). Every prediction is scored against the real result once the match finishes — see the verified track record or read the full methodology. Football is inherently uncertain: treat this page as analysis, not advice.

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