N.E.C. Nijmegen claimed a vital league victory by defeating PEC Zwolle 2-1 on Saturday. Manager Dick Schreuder's side took all three points in a match officiated by referee Joey Kooij, as reported by the BBC.
This win solidifies NEC's position in the middle of the Eredivisie table. They hold seventh place with six points. That standing can be tracked on our standings page. Schreuder set his team up in a 3-4-1-2 formation, which saw them have 47.7% possession. They faced a 4-2-3-1 from Zwolle boss Henry van der Vegt.
What were the key match statistics?
NEC showed efficiency in front of goal. They registered eight shots, with four on target. The Zwolle goalkeeper was forced into just one save. At the other end, NEC's keeper also faced only one shot on target from Zwolle's two. The home side was more active with 52.3% possession and nine total shots.
The Nijmegen side was physically present, making thirteen tackles with a 76.9% success rate. They received three yellow cards and committed twelve fouls, compared to seventeen by PEC Zwolle. NEC was also dangerous from set-pieces, earning seven corners. Their pass accuracy of 66.6% from 338 passes indicates room for improvement.
What does NEC's recent form look like?
The victory in Zwolle follows a mixed period of results. In the Eredivisie, NEC previously beat Willem II 1-4 but also lost 1-2 to Telstar. In the UEFA Champions League, there was a significant 2-1 win against Olympiakos, followed by two defeats to Bodø/Glimt (3-0 and 1-3). These results highlight the unpredictable nature of the team this season.
The full schedule of matches is available on our fixtures page. The statistical details for the team and individual players are updated on the stats page.
What is the head-to-head history with PEC Zwolle?
The recent history between these two clubs has been balanced. Saturday's victory fits the pattern. On January 24, 2026, NEC also beat Zwolle 2-1. Before that, the match on October 25, 2025, ended in a 2-2 draw. On January 11, 2025, NEC came out on top again with a 1-0 win.
| Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 29 Aug 2026 | Eredivisie | NEC 2-1 PEC Zwolle |
| 24 Jan 2026 | Eredivisie | NEC 2-1 PEC Zwolle |
| 25 Oct 2025 | Eredivisie | NEC 2-2 PEC Zwolle |
| 11 Jan 2025 | Eredivisie | NEC 1-0 PEC Zwolle |
The table shows NEC has not lost to Zwolle in their last four meetings.
What does this mean for the weeks ahead?
The three points give NEC breathing room and confidence for the challenges ahead. The team must find the consistency required to stay in the top half. The defensive organization, with thirty clearances against Zwolle, was solid. But possession and pass accuracy can improve. Schreuder will need to manage his squad for the dual demands of the Eredivisie and Champions League. The coming weeks will determine if NEC can maintain or even improve its position.
