NEC Nijmegen v Willem II Preview: Will replacing Peter Maes give relegation threatened Willem II a chance of survival? | OneFootball

Willem II travel to NEC Nijmegen on Saturday afternoon without Peter Maes. The Belgian was sacked during the week following a string of bad results that have seen the side win just one of their last 14 games. Ironically, this came back in December and was a 4-1 demolition of Saturday’s opponents NEC. Maes guided the side back to the Eredivise last season but his work is under threat of being undone following the poor run of form. In his place, assistant Kristof Aelbrecht will take over until the end of the season.

NEC come into the game having won two of their last five matches. The side have an outside chance of making the top eight with four games to go, but it is unlikely. They are also pretty safe from relegation so have little to play for. NEC have been indifferent at home so far this season, with five wins, five draws and five defeats so far.

Willem II have actually been on of the better away sides in the Eredivisie, with half of their 24 points coming on the road. However, they have struggled to find a regular goal scorer and this has cost them points. Midfielder Jesse Bosch is the sides top scorer with just five goals in 29 games. Fans will be hoping that Aelbrecht can get the side firing again, as their gap to Almere City FC is just four points. They will have to do without both Rúnar Sigurgeirsson and midfielder Cisse Sandra for the clash.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson