NEC Nijmegen 2-0 Sparta Rotterdam – Result & Analysis
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Poisson rates NEC Nijmegen at 41% — recent form provides partial corroboration, though signals are mixed in this NEC Nijmegen vs Sparta Rotterdam encounter.
✍️ Match Preview
Match Analysis
NEC Nijmegen host Sparta Rotterdam at Goffertstadion in Eredivisie (matchday 23). Kick-off is Saturday 24 February 2024 at 20:00 UK time.
Recent Form
Across their last 10 games, NEC Nijmegen have gone 5W 3D 2L — a 1.80 PPG return. Last five: W D W L D. They are averaging 2.00 goals per game — a high-scoring output that makes them a genuine attacking threat in any fixture. 1 clean sheet from 10 outings (10%). Both teams have scored in 80% of their matches — an extremely high rate that makes BTTS Yes a well-supported standalone angle from their form alone.
NEC Nijmegen's home record over their last 10 home games: 5W 3D 2L (1.80 PPG). They are averaging 2.10 goals per home game — a prolific scoring rate in front of their own fans. Both teams have scored in 70% of their home games — an outstanding BTTS rate that is a key data point for this fixture.
Looking at their last 10 matches, Sparta Rotterdam stand at 3W 2D 5L — 1.10 PPG. Last five: L D L L W. Their scoring rate of 1.20 per game is modest, conceding 1.50 — not a side to back heavily on the Over 2.5 from their form alone. 2 clean sheets from 10 outings (20%).
When travelling, Sparta Rotterdam have posted 4W 2D 4L from their last 10 away outings — 1.40 PPG. Away from home they average 1.30 goals scored and 1.10 conceded per game.
NEC Nijmegen carry the stronger recent momentum — 0.70 PPG ahead of their opponents on 1.80 vs 1.10. The form data is a point in their favour, and where the price allows, it is the cleaner directional bet.
Head to Head
The H2H picture is flat: the 5 H2H matches we hold have produced 0 wins for NEC Nijmegen, 1 for Sparta Rotterdam and 4 draws. Form and model data should carry more weight here.
Scoring has been limited in the 5 H2H matches in our data, averaging 1.6 goals per game, which makes Under 2.5 the head-to-head-backed angle in the goals market. The most recent of those, on 1 Sep 2023, ended NEC Nijmegen 1–1 Sparta Rotterdam — a draw.
With a balanced win record and just 1.6 goals per game, the H2H data points toward a tight, low-scoring contest — Under 2.5 is the stronger head-to-head angle regardless of which side wins.
In-Play Data
NEC Nijmegen trading profile (last 56 games, 28 of them at home): at least one goal arrives before half-time in 64% of their matches in home games; when goalless at HT, a second-half goal follows 74% of the time; two or more arrive in the second half on 53% of those occasions; of the 14 games they led at half-time, they failed to win 29%; of the 17 games they trailed at half-time, they recovered to draw or win 41%; BTTS occurs in 75% of their matches (home games); Over 2.5 goals lands in 61% of games (home games); Over 3.5 in 38%.
Sparta Rotterdam trading profile (last 56 games, 28 of them away): at least one goal arrives before half-time in 64% of their matches in away games; when goalless at HT, a second-half goal follows 81% of the time; two or more arrive in the second half on 57% of those occasions; BTTS occurs in 46% of their matches (away games); Over 2.5 goals lands in 57% of games (away games); Over 3.5 in 36%.
BTTS rates are mixed from the trading data — NEC Nijmegen 61% versus Sparta Rotterdam 50%; no strong lean in either direction. The over/under 2.5 picture is inconclusive from the in-play data (NEC Nijmegen 54% | Sparta Rotterdam 57%).
Poisson Model
The Poisson distribution model projects NEC Nijmegen 1.50 xG and Sparta Rotterdam 1.29 xG. These expected goals figures are the primary input: they feed a goal-probability matrix across all scoreline combinations to derive the result and market probabilities below. Underlying strength ratings: NEC Nijmegen attack 1.177 / defence 0.990 | Sparta Rotterdam attack 0.893 / defence 0.826. League average goals — home 1.538 / away 1.464. Data: built from NEC Nijmegen's last 56 games and Sparta Rotterdam's last 56.
Result probabilities: NEC Nijmegen 41% | Draw 27% | Sparta Rotterdam 32%. Fair-value odds: NEC Nijmegen 2.43 | Draw 3.72 | Sparta Rotterdam 3.12. This is a low-confidence result — no outcome reaches 45%. The draw at 27% is a primary outcome, not an afterthought.
Goals markets: Over 2.5 probability 53% | BTTS Yes probability 57% | Total xG 2.79. Over/Under 2.5 is close to a coin-flip at 53%/47% — the total xG of 2.79 sits near the 2.5 margin; this is a low-edge market from a Poisson standpoint. BTTS Yes at 57% is only a slight lean — neither team is projected to score with enough certainty to make Yes a clear standalone call.
Summary & Verdict
The Poisson model's primary lean is NEC Nijmegen at 41% — marginal model lean. Recent form corroborates the Poisson lean — partial multi-source support. With a 27% draw probability, Draw No Bet on NEC Nijmegen offers a more defensible entry point than the straight win. The opposing side holds a 32% win probability per the model — this is not a banker and should be staked accordingly.
The Poisson model projects 2.79 xG in total — Over 2.5 at 53% — mixed conviction, supported by recent form (NEC Nijmegen's last 10 home games and Sparta Rotterdam's last 10 away games) averaging 2.8 goals per game — though the H2H data averaging only 1.6 goals per game across 5 H2H matches points the other way.
On the BTTS market, Poisson puts 57% on Yes. Form rates corroborate — both teams scored in: NEC Nijmegen 70% (last 10 home games) | Sparta Rotterdam 50% (last 10 away games).
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💡 Key Insights
🏟️ Match Context
• Fixture: NEC Nijmegen vs Sparta Rotterdam | Competition: Eredivisie, matchday 23 | Venue: Goffertstadion • Kick-off: Saturday 24 February 2024 at 20:00 UK time • Data inputs: head-to-head data, recent form (overall and home/away), the Poisson prediction model and market pricing
📊 Statistical Prediction
• Poisson result probabilities: NEC Nijmegen 41% | Draw 27% | Sparta Rotterdam 32% • Poisson goal markets: Over 2.5 53% (Under 47%) | BTTS Yes 57% (No 43%) | xG NEC Nijmegen 1.50 / Sparta Rotterdam 1.29 • Poisson strength factors: NEC Nijmegen attack 1.177 / def 0.990 | Sparta Rotterdam attack 0.893 / def 0.826 | league avg home 1.538 / away 1.464 • Poisson stance: NEC Nijmegen (41%) — low confidence — close contest
🧮 Prediction Model
1.50
NEC Nijmegen xG
Expected Goals
1.29
Sparta Rotterdam xG
57%
BTTS
78%
Over 1.5
53%
Over 2.5
31%
Over 3.5
Full score-by-score matrix & model internals in the "Full Poisson Detail" section below ↓
⚠️ This analysis is generated algorithmically from statistical data and is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute betting advice. Please gamble responsibly.
❓ NEC Nijmegen vs Sparta Rotterdam FAQs
What time does NEC Nijmegen vs Sparta Rotterdam kick off?
NEC Nijmegen vs Sparta Rotterdam kicked off at 20:00 UK time on Saturday 24 February 2024 at Goffertstadion.
What was the final score in NEC Nijmegen vs Sparta Rotterdam?
NEC Nijmegen 2 - 0 Sparta Rotterdam.
Where is NEC Nijmegen vs Sparta Rotterdam being played?
The match is being played at Goffertstadion.
What competition is NEC Nijmegen vs Sparta Rotterdam part of?
NEC Nijmegen vs Sparta Rotterdam is a Eredivisie fixture (matchday 23) (Netherlands).
Who is favourite to win NEC Nijmegen vs Sparta Rotterdam?
Our statistical model gives NEC Nijmegen a 41% chance of winning, Sparta Rotterdam a 32% chance, and a 27% chance of a draw — making NEC Nijmegen the favourite.
Will both teams score in NEC Nijmegen vs Sparta Rotterdam?
Our model estimates a 57% probability that both NEC Nijmegen and Sparta Rotterdam will score, so it leans towards BTTS Yes.
Will NEC Nijmegen vs Sparta Rotterdam have over 2.5 goals?
Our model puts the probability of over 2.5 goals in this match at 53%, so it leans towards over 2.5 goals.
🧮 Model Insight
Model Mechanics
The model rates NEC Nijmegen's attack at 1.18x the league average against Sparta Rotterdam's defence at 0.83x — combine the two and it projects 1.50 expected goals for the hosts. The same calculation in reverse, Sparta Rotterdam's attack versus NEC Nijmegen's defence, projects 1.29 expected goals for the visitors.
These ratings are built from NEC Nijmegen's last 56 games and Sparta Rotterdam's last 56 — a full enough recent sample to trust.
Scoreline Breakdown
Of every possible scoreline, 1-1 carries the highest individual probability at 13.4% — still a long way from a near-certainty, which says something about how open this one is on paper. Close behind: 2-1 (8.9%), 1-2 (7.7%). Those top three scorelines alone account for 30% of the model's total probability mass — a relatively concentrated, predictable distribution for this fixture.
Most Likely Outcome
NEC Nijmegen Win
41%
2.43
27%
3.72
32%
3.12
Top 3 Most Likely Scorelines
1 – 1
11.9%
Draw
Most likely
1 – 0
9.2%
Home win
2 – 1
8.9%
Home win
Expected Goals & Win Odds
1.50
NEC Nijmegen xG
Total xG
2.79
1.29
Sparta Rotterdam xG
2.43
41%
Home win
3.72
27%
Draw
3.12
32%
Away win
Goals Markets
77%
Over 1.5
1.30
23%
Under 1.5
4.35
53%
Over 2.5
1.89
47%
Under 2.5
2.13
31%
Over 3.5
3.23
69%
Under 3.5
1.45
15%
Over 4.5
6.67
85%
Under 4.5
1.18
Match Markets
Both Teams to Score
57%
BTTS Yes
1.75
43%
BTTS No
2.33
Clean Sheet
27%
3.65
22%
4.46
Win to Nil
11%
8.87
7%
13.93
Score Probability Matrix (%)
| H \ A | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 6.1 | 8.0 | 5.1 | 2.2 | 0.7 | 0.2 |
| 1 | 9.2 | 11.9 | 7.7 | 3.3 | 1.1 | 0.3 |
| 2 | 6.9 | 8.9 | 5.8 | 2.5 | 0.8 | 0.2 |
| 3 | 3.4 | 4.4 | 2.9 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 0.1 |
| 4 | 1.3 | 1.7 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 0.1 | – |
| 5 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.1 | – | – |
Green = home win · Grey = draw · Amber = away win · Outlined cell = most likely score
▶ Model Internals
❓ NEC Nijmegen vs Sparta Rotterdam Prediction FAQs
What is the most likely scoreline for NEC Nijmegen vs Sparta Rotterdam?
Our Poisson model rates 1-1 as the single most likely exact scoreline, at 13.4%.
How many goals are NEC Nijmegen and Sparta Rotterdam expected to score?
The model projects 1.50 expected goals for NEC Nijmegen and 1.29 for Sparta Rotterdam, a combined total of 2.79.
How confident is the prediction model for NEC Nijmegen vs Sparta Rotterdam?
Not very — the model's leading outcome sits at just 41%, meaning this is rated as a genuinely open contest with no dominant favourite.
📈 Form Insight
Where Both Sides Stand
NEC Nijmegen's recent record stands at 15W 24D 17L from 56 games, a 1.23 PPG return, with W-D-W-L-D in the last five.
Sparta Rotterdam, meanwhile, have gone 25W 13D 18L across 56 games — 1.57 PPG, with L-D-L-L-W in their last five.
Form-wise this is close to level: NEC Nijmegen on 1.23 PPG, Sparta Rotterdam on 1.57. Other factors will likely decide this one more than recent results.
Home Ground vs the Road
At home specifically, NEC Nijmegen have managed 8W 12D 8L from their last 28 home games — 1.29 PPG in front of their own supporters.
Sparta Rotterdam's away record stands at 12W 7D 9L across their last 28 away games, a 1.54 PPG haul.
The Goals Picture
NEC Nijmegen are averaging 1.48 goals scored and 1.46 conceded per game recently; Sparta Rotterdam are on 1.59 scored and 1.21 conceded.
On BTTS specifically: NEC Nijmegen have seen both teams score in 61% of their recent games.
Last 56 Results
Current season: same league only · Previous season: all leagues (covers promoted/relegated teams)
NEC Nijmegen
Blended
Sparta Rotterdam
Blended
NEC Nijmegen (Home) vs Sparta Rotterdam (Away)
Home games only for the home side · Away games only for the away side
NEC Nijmegen
Blended
Sparta Rotterdam
Blended
❓ NEC Nijmegen vs Sparta Rotterdam Form FAQs
What form are NEC Nijmegen and Sparta Rotterdam in coming into this match?
NEC Nijmegen have gone 15W 24D 17L in their last 56 games (1.23 PPG), while Sparta Rotterdam have gone 25W 13D 18L in their last 56 (1.57 PPG).
Which team has the better venue record — NEC Nijmegen at home or Sparta Rotterdam away?
Sparta Rotterdam's away record (1.54 PPG) is the stronger of the two venue-specific splits — NEC Nijmegen at home: 1.29 PPG; Sparta Rotterdam away: 1.54 PPG.
Have NEC Nijmegen or Sparta Rotterdam been keeping clean sheets recently?
NEC Nijmegen have kept a clean sheet in 21% of their recent games, Sparta Rotterdam in 30%.
⚔️ Rivalry Insight
A Look Back
The head-to-head numbers here are drawn from the 10 H2H matches in our data, going back to September 2021. All of them came in Eredivisie. The most recent was on 17 February 2026, roughly 8 months ago.
Digging Into the Numbers
NEC Nijmegen's record when hosting Sparta Rotterdam specifically: 2W 3D 0L from 5 games — a narrower, venue-specific slice of the head-to-head picture.
Last 10 Meetings
2
NEC Nijmegen
6
Draws
2
Sparta Rotterdam
Recent Meetings
❓ NEC Nijmegen vs Sparta Rotterdam H2H FAQs
What is the head-to-head record between NEC Nijmegen and Sparta Rotterdam?
Across the 10 head-to-head matches in our data, NEC Nijmegen have won 2, Sparta Rotterdam have won 2, and 6 have been drawn.
When did NEC Nijmegen and Sparta Rotterdam last play each other?
The most recent meeting in our data was on 17 February 2026: Sparta Rotterdam 1-1 NEC Nijmegen.
📈 Trading Insight
Half-Time Trends
NEC Nijmegen are typically involved in an early goal — the half-time board shows at least one in 64% of their matches. They've also shown some fight from behind, salvaging a draw or win after trailing at half-time in 57% of those situations.
Sparta Rotterdam are typically involved in an early goal — the half-time board shows at least one in 64% of their matches. They've gone in front at half-time 36% of the time.
The Numbers That Matter
BTTS sits in mixed territory for this pairing — NEC Nijmegen 75%, Sparta Rotterdam 46% — no strong lean either way from the trading data alone.
Over 2.5 has been close to a coin-flip for both sides — 61% (NEC Nijmegen) and 57% (Sparta Rotterdam). Stepping up a level, Over 3.5 has also landed reasonably often — 43% and 32% respectively — worth a look for goal-hungry markets.
On the defensive side: Sparta Rotterdam in 36%; Sparta Rotterdam in 29%.
Current season: same league only. Previous season: all leagues (covers promoted/relegated teams). All = any venue | Venue = NEC Nijmegen home games / Sparta Rotterdam away games. HT metrics require half-time score data — shown as — where unavailable.
❓ NEC Nijmegen vs Sparta Rotterdam Trading FAQs
Do both teams usually score in NEC Nijmegen and Sparta Rotterdam matches?
Yes — based on recent matches, both teams have scored in 75% of NEC Nijmegen's games and 46% of Sparta Rotterdam's, a combined rate that favours BTTS Yes.
Are NEC Nijmegen and Sparta Rotterdam matches usually high-scoring?
Recent trends suggest it could be — Over 2.5 goals has landed in 61% of NEC Nijmegen's matches and 57% of Sparta Rotterdam's.
Do NEC Nijmegen and Sparta Rotterdam matches tend to have early goals?
There has been at least one first-half goal in 64% of NEC Nijmegen's recent matches and 64% of Sparta Rotterdam's — a useful reference point for first-half goal markets.
NEC Nijmegen cruise to a comfortable 2-0 victory over Sparta Rotterdam.
📝 Match Report
How It Unfolded
NEC Nijmegen beat Sparta Rotterdam 2-0 at Goffertstadion, Regular Season - 23, in the Eredivisie. The remainder of the report sets that outcome against the pre-match model, the markets and the teams' data profiles.
The Model vs The Result
The Poisson model went into this projecting NEC Nijmegen 1.50 xG and Sparta Rotterdam 1.29 xG, a combined 2.79. The scoreboard read 2-0 for 2 actual goals. Sparta Rotterdam landed 1.3 under their projected return. Those figures were built on strength ratings of NEC Nijmegen attack 1.18 / defence 0.99 against Sparta Rotterdam attack 0.89 / defence 0.83, drawn from 56/56 games (CurrentSeason).
On the result, the model split it NEC Nijmegen 41% | Draw 27% | Sparta Rotterdam 32%, with NEC Nijmegen to win its most likely call at 41%. The result followed the model's preferred path, landing its top-rated outcome.
Goals & Markets
The model rated Over 2.5 goals at 53%. The game delivered 2, so it stayed under — against the model's lean. Over 1.5 had been 78% and landed. On both teams to score, the model sat at 57% and the match did not — a miss on BTTS. Historically the two sides average 55% Over 2.5 across their same-competition games (NEC Nijmegen 54%, Sparta Rotterdam 57%), a base rate that pointed the other way from today's under. Their combined BTTS history runs at 55%, which did not match the one-sided outcome.
Trading Patterns vs Reality
NEC Nijmegen's trading profile (56 games, 28 home) set some clear expectations: BTTS lands in 61% of their matches — today it did not.
Sparta Rotterdam's trading profile (56 games, 28 away) set some clear expectations: BTTS lands in 50% of their matches — today it did not; they keep a clean sheet 30% of the time, and conceded here; they fail to score in 27% of games, a blank that repeated today.
Form vs Result
The form lines were close — NEC Nijmegen 1.23 PPG, Sparta Rotterdam 1.57 PPG — offering no strong steer, and the NEC Nijmegen win broke the near-deadlock. NEC Nijmegen (home/away splits) conceded 0 against a 1.57 average — tighter than their form line. Sparta Rotterdam (home/away splits) managed 0 against a 1.57 scoring average — below par going forward and shipped 2 against a 1.18 concession average — a leakier day than usual.
Verdict
Grading the result against the stored data, 1 of 3 pre-match signals came in: result (hit), Over 2.5 (miss), BTTS (miss). This one broke away from the data — most of the pre-match signals were overturned by how the ninety minutes actually played out.
💡 Key Insights
⚠️ This match report is generated algorithmically from the final score, our prediction model, and each team's historical form and trading data. Analysis is for informational purposes only.
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