NEC Nijmegen vs Levski Sofia 15.10.2026: Prediction, Betting Tips and Match Preview

NEC Nijmegen welcome Levski Sofia to their home ground for the second matchday of the UEFA Europa League group stage. The Dutch side have been stuck in a rut since late August, while the Bulgarians, fresh off a league victory, aim to translate that momentum onto the continental stage. Can the visitors exploit the hosts' defensive frailties, or will NEC finally snap their winless streak?

NEC Nijmegen: Searching for a Way Out of Crisis

NEC Nijmegen have struggled to find their rhythm this season. Heading into the clash with Levski, the team's winless run in official matches has stretched to six games, including a heavy 0-5 defeat to Juventus in the Europa League opener. However, in their last two outings, Dick Schreuder's men have managed to pick up points: a 1-1 draw with Go Ahead Eagles was followed by another 1-1 stalemate against Ajax—though they were outshot 8-18 and trailed in expected goals (1.11 xG vs. 1.97). NEC conceded as early as the seventh minute but equalised just before the half-hour mark through a Tyronne Chery penalty. After the break, goalkeeper Gonzalo Krettas, back from injury, made several crucial saves. The result offers a glimmer of hope, but it's far from a full recovery.

NEC's home form has been equally unconvincing. In six home matches this season, they have drawn three and lost three, failing to keep a clean sheet in any of them. On the bright side, the squad is gradually getting healthier. Krettas has returned, along with Deveron Fonville and Perr Schoors, while Ahmetcan Kaplan has already seen minutes after his injury layoff. However, Bram Nuitink and Philippe Sandler are not yet ready, according to the latest coach comments. Emre Mor, Kay Sirheis, and Dennis Geiger remain doubtful. A separate subplot involves Ayodele Thomas, who missed the Ajax match due to a disciplinary decision. Captain Tyronne Chery's fitness is also a concern: he played against Ajax on painkillers after suffering a groin injury in training, and the pain persisted post-match, though he hoped to recover by Thursday.

Levski Sofia: Aiming to Carry Domestic Form into Europe

Levski Sofia sit atop the Bulgarian league standings, having collected 28 points from 10 matches (9 wins, 1 draw). However, the team hit a rough patch just before the international break. They lost the Super Cup to city rivals CSKA Sofia (2-4), then drew 0-0 with Botev Vratsa in the league, and opened their Europa League group stage with a 0-1 defeat to Red Bull Salzburg. The international pause came at the perfect time. After it, Julio Velázquez's side confidently dispatched Cherno More 2-0, with goals from Mehdi Mubarik and Reynaldo. So the visitors arrive in Nijmegen in high spirits.

But Velázquez must contend with squad limitations. Mustafa Sangare, Radoslav Kirilov, and Oliver Kamdem were not registered for the Europa League group stage. Asen Mitkov, Mazire Sula, and Nikola Serafimov are questionable after missing the last league match. Akram Burae continues his recovery from a thigh injury. On the positive side, Armstrong Oko-Flex, who sat out the Cherno More game with a minor knock, is expected to return to the starting eleven.

Predicted Lineups

NEC Nijmegen (3-4-2-1): Krettas – Braasch, Schoors, Fonville – Kers, Neijasm, Lebreton, Storm – Willumsson, Tadic – Linsen Unavailable: Nuitink, Sandler (both injured); Mor, Sirheis, Geiger, Thomas, Chery (all doubtful) Head coach: Dick Schreuder

Levski Sofia (4-2-3-1): Vutsov – Aldair, Dimitrov, Makoun, Maicon – Gruyich, Mubarik – Oko-Flex, Sérginho, Reynaldo – Bala Unavailable: Burae (injured); Sangare, Kirilov, Kamdem (not registered); Serafimov, Mitkov, Sula (all doubtful) Head coach: Julio Velázquez

Referee: Aliyar Aghayev

Azerbaijani official Aliyar Aghayev is a strict referee who doesn't hesitate to brandish yellow cards. This season across all competitions, he averages 4.28 cautions per match with 30 fouls called. In seven games, Aghayev has not sent anyone off and has awarded only two penalties.

Prediction and Bet

Main prediction: Despite the match being played in the Netherlands, Levski Sofia have every chance to leave with points. The Bulgarians have put their recent setbacks behind them and, after the international break, won away at Cherno More (2-0). That result extended their unbeaten away run to four matches. Moreover, in European away games this season, Velázquez's side lost only once in four Champions League qualifiers. In contrast, NEC Nijmegen remain mired in a poor spell. They have not won in six consecutive matches and, at home, have yet to claim a victory in regular time across all competitions this season. Therefore, our selection is Levski Sofia to avoid defeat at odds of 2.03.

Total goals prediction: The match is expected to be high-scoring. NEC's defence has been leaky, conceding 12 goals in six home games, while scoring seven themselves. Unsurprisingly, four of those matches saw at least three goals, and three went over 3.5. For Levski, two of their four away European fixtures this season reached the four-goal mark. Given these trends, a reliable option is over 2.5 goals at 1.77, while the more adventurous can consider over 3.5 goals at 2.70.