Injuries Hit Feyenoord Ahead of High-Stakes Clash With NEC Nijmegen

Feyenoord arrives in Nijmegen for Sunday’s top-of-the-table showdown facing a significant Feyenoord injury crisis that could shift the momentum of the Eredivisie title and Champions League race. Currently sitting in second place, the Rotterdammers hold a slim one-point lead over third-place NEC, making this encounter a pivotal moment for both clubs as they fight for European supremacy.

The match, scheduled for 14:30 local time on Sunday, April 12, 2026, will be broadcast live on ESPN 1. For NEC, the stakes are historic; a victory would allow them to leapfrog Feyenoord into second place, securing a more direct path to the Champions League.

A Depleted Squad for Robin van Persie

Manager Robin van Persie is facing a selection nightmare. The squad is currently missing several key components, most notably in the defensive and wide areas. Anel Ahmedhodzic, Luciano Valente, and Anis Hadj Moussa have all been ruled out due to injuries and fitness concerns.

The losses extend into the midfield, where In-beom Hwang and Sem Steijn remain sidelined. The absence of Hadj Moussa is particularly pressing, as it forces Van Persie to reshape his attacking flank to maintain the team’s creative output.

The personnel shortage has reached such a critical point that Van Persie has reportedly been training with the squad himself to fill gaps during preparation. While the manager noted that training with his players is “leuk” (fun), he admitted We see “niet ideaal” (not ideal) given the circumstances.

Probable Line-up and a First-Team Debut

With so many regulars unavailable, Feyenoord is expected to lean on a mix of established stars and fresh faces. Timon Wellenreuther is set to start in goal, anchored by a defensive line consisting of Mats Deijl, Tsuyoshi Watanabe, Thijs Kraaijeveld, and Jordan Bos.

The midfield will see a significant milestone: Tobias van den Elshout, who recently extended his contract at De Kuip, is expected to create his first-team debut. He will be joined by Jakub Moder and Oussama Targhalline to provide stability in the center of the pitch.

Up front, the attack remains potent despite the injuries. Eredivisie top scorer Ayase Ueda will lead the line, supported by Raheem Sterling on the left flank. Gonçalo Borges is expected to step in for the sidelined Hadj Moussa to complete the attacking trio.

Probable Feyenoord XI: Wellenreuther; Deijl, Watanabe, Kraaijeveld, Bos; Targhalline, Moder, Van den Elshout; Borges, Ueda, Sterling.

The NEC Opportunity

For NEC and manager Dick Schreuder, the timing could not be better. The Nijmegen-based club is enjoying a historically strong season and is eager to capitalize on Feyenoord’s depleted roster. Earlier this season, NEC proved they could handle the Rotterdammers, securing a thrilling 4-2 victory over Feyenoord at De Kuip.

Despite the opportunity, Schreuder has remained cautious. He emphasized that while the match is a “beautiful affiche” in their own stadium, he does not believe a single weekend will decide the second-place spot. However, the implications are clear: second place offers direct Champions League qualification, while third place would force the team into a qualifying round.

Van Persie has acknowledged the danger, describing NEC’s style of play as “very attacking” and admitting that the match will be a unique challenge. While he joked about whether Feyenoord is the underdog, he stressed that the team remains focused on their own execution.

Champions League Implications

The battle for the top three is tightening as the season enters its final stretch. With only five matches remaining—which Van Persie has described as “five finals”—every point is critical.

For NEC, the motivation is amplified by their upcoming schedule; they are also preparing for a cup final against AZ on April 19. Achieving a top-two finish would mark the highest achievement in the club’s history, surpassing their previous best of fifth place.

As the NEC vs Feyenoord clash approaches, the narrative centers on whether Van Persie’s tactical adjustments and the debut of Van den Elshout can offset the loss of five key players, or if NEC will once again dominate the encounter as they did earlier this year.

The next confirmed checkpoint for both clubs will be the result of Sunday’s match, followed by the Eredivisie standings update on Monday morning.

Do you consider Feyenoord’s depth is enough to hold off NEC, or is this the moment the Nijmegen side breaks through? Let us know in the comments.