Liam Duckstein
Almere City and De Graafschap face off in the pivotal Promotion Round 1 of the Eerste Divisie. The contest is set for 6 May 2026 at Brann Stadion in Bergen, a neutral venue adding intrigue to this Dutch showdown. Almere City stand atop their group with two strong wins in the phase, while De Graafschap need a result to stay in contention. The match not only carries promotion implications but also features two attacking sides with recent high-scoring games.
Ferdy Druijf (Almere City) has been in impressive form, netting 4 goals in his last five appearances. For De Graafschap, Reuven Niemeijer stands out, scoring 3 in his last 2 outings and regularly threatening opposition defenses. These two are the players to keep an eye on, as their teams rely heavily on their goal-scoring touch.
A “hot stat” worth your attention: Almere City have scored 12 goals in their last 5 matches, the highest among teams in this promotion round.
| 🏆 Tournament: | Eerste Divisie 2025/26, Promotion Round 1 |
| 🏟 Venue: | Brann Stadion, Bergen |
| 🗓️ Date: | 06.05.2026 |
| ⏰ Time: | 18:45 CEST |
Almere City vs De Graafschap prediction
We predict Almere City to win this match. The main reason is momentum: Almere City have won both of their Promotion Round 1 matches, scoring 6 and conceding only 2. Their attack looks sharp and their defensive structure has limited opposition chances. De Graafschap, in contrast, have struggled to convert performances into wins lately, winning only 2 of their last 5 games and drawing twice. The bookmakers’ confidence also reflects this, giving Almere City a 60% win probability.
In terms of playing style, Almere City demonstrate more ball control, averaging 1837 passes (79% accuracy) over the last five games, compared to De Graafschap’s 1376 passes (82%). Almere City are disciplined, with only 4 yellow cards in their last 5, while De Graafschap received 5. Both teams average nearly 10 fouls per match, so expect a physical battle, but Almere City tend to keep their composure better, which can matter in tense promotion fixtures.
| 🔥Hot Tip: | Almere City to win & Over 2.5 goals |
| ⚽Total Goals: | Over 2.5 |
| 💥Both Teams To Score: | Yes |
| 🎯Total Corners: | Over 8.5 |
Team Analysis
Almere City come into this game on a run of form that has seen them claim four wins in their last seven matches. Most recently, they dismantled Den Bosch 3-0, displaying attacking efficiency and defensive solidity. They rarely allow their opponents to settle and use the 4-2-3-1 formation to maintain balance in midfield and attack. Previous matches included a 3-2 win over Den Bosch and a minor setback with a 1-3 loss to VVV-Venlo. Their goal difference and shot numbers (90 shots in 5 matches) underline their attacking intent.
De Graafschap’s form has been mixed. Their last five matches produced two wins, two draws, and one loss. In their latest outing, they fell 0-1 to Emmen, struggling to create clear-cut chances against a compact defense. Before that, they beat Cambuur 3-1 and drew 3-3 with VVV-Venlo, indicating a team capable of scoring but also vulnerable at the back. The 4-2-3-1 setup provides them with options in attack, but they have conceded 9 goals in their last five.
Most recent Head-to-Head Matches
| Statistic | Almere City | De Graafschap |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 4 | 3 |
| Total shots | 17 | 13 |
| Free kicks | 7 | 8 |
| Corner kicks | 8 | 7 |
| Total fouls | 13 | 15 |
| Pass accuracy (%) | 78 | 76 |
| Interceptions | 9 | 7 |
| Offsides | 3 | 4 |
🚨Check out our dedicated Almere City vs De Graafschap stats page for more info.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Almere City the favourite
- Moneyline Almere City 1.55 | De Graafschap 2.34
- Draw N/A
- Over/Under Over 2.5 N/A | Under 2.5 N/A
- BTTS (both teams to score) Yes N/A | No N/A
Almere City sit as clear favorites. The 1.55 price offers reasonable value considering their recent dominance, while De Graafschap’s 2.34 odds reflect the risk with their patchy away form. Bookmakers see little value in a draw, as Almere City rarely split points. The over 2.5 market would appeal to punters; both teams play open, attack-minded football and recent meetings featured plenty of goals. Our team rates Almere City the best value selection, especially in combination with over 2.5 goals.
De Graafschap. Source: Official Facebook
Possible Starting Lineups
Almere City possible starting eleven
- GK: Jonas Wendlinger
- DF: James Lawrence, Teun Bijleveld, Boyd Reith, E. van de Blaak
- MF: H. el Dahri, Milan de Haan, Enzo Cornelisse
- FW: Marley Dors, Julian Rijkhoff, Ferdy Druijf
Wendlinger is the reliable choice in goal. Lawrence and Reith anchor a defense that has shown discipline in recent matches, while van de Blaak offers good passing from the back. In midfield, El Dahri and de Haan are vital for ball progression and controlling tempo. Up front, Dors and Rijkhoff support Druijf, who leads the line and has been Almere’s most effective finisher in this round. We predict the 4-2-3-1 will continue, maximizing their midfield strength and attacking flexibility.
De Graafschap possible starting eleven
- GK: Ties Wieggers
- DF: Levi Schoppema, Rowan Besselink, Thomas Kok, Stijn Bultman
- MF: Reuven Niemeijer, Teun Gijselhart, Fedde De Jong
- FW: Allachi Chahid, Nils Eggens, Jevon Simons
Wieggers has started most recently in goal and commands his area well. Schoppema and Bultman provide width, while Kok and Besselink are steady in central defense. In midfield, Niemeijer is the main attacking threat and De Jong brings creativity. Up front, Chahid, Eggens, and Simons all carry a goal threat, especially with Niemeijer’s support. Expect another 4-2-3-1 formation, which has helped De Graafschap create chances but also left them exposed at the back.
🏅Tips.GG premium subscription brings you even closer to WIN!🏅
- Gain access to the most profitable bets by using our analysis of over 60,000 monthly predictions from 1000+ sources.
- Premium users enjoy predictions from tipsters with the highest win rate while also gaining access to favorable odds, outcome calculation, and quick filter to favorable odds.
- Unlock the “Golden Bet” – our unique formula for the best high-odd betting opportunities! Get detailed reports on our system’s performance, including Winrate, ROI, and Yield.
Almere City. Source: Official Facebook
TipsGG Match Prediction
We predict Almere City will secure the win in this high-stakes clash. Their recent form, attacking output, and squad consistency give them the upper hand. Expect goals at both ends with De Graafschap capable of finding the net, but Almere City’s current momentum and offensive rhythm should be decisive. Over 2.5 goals and both teams to score are strong secondary picks for punters seeking extra value.
