Liam Duckstein
Nijmegen host German side Elversberg at Stadion de Goffert in what looks like a closely contested summer friendly. Both clubs sit in the mid-table range of the International Club Friendly 2026 standings, and neither arrives in particularly dominant form. What makes this match interesting is the contrast in recent trajectories — Nijmegen closed their last two matches with a pair of wins, while Elversberg dropped their most recent game against Viktoria Köln. That momentum gap could prove decisive in a match where competitive edge is hard to manufacture in July.
Nijmegen’s attacking output in this pre-season window has been eye-catching. Their 7-0 demolition of Al-Fayha is the standout number from either side’s recent games — a result that signals the Dutch side can be genuinely dangerous in front of goal when the opposition allows space. Keep a close eye on how Nijmegen’s forwards press high in transition, as that style has produced results. For Elversberg, their midfield engine has been the most reliable part of their setup, and Vincent Wagner will need that unit to control tempo if they want to avoid a similar outcome to their Köln defeat.
Hot stat: Nijmegen put seven goals past Al-Fayha in their most recent home outing — the highest single-match goal tally from either team across the last five games reviewed.
| 🏆 Tournament: | International Club Friendly 2026 — July Phase |
| 🏟 Venue: | Stadion de Goffert, Nijmegen |
| 🗓️ Date: | 25.07.2026 |
| ⏰ Time: | 14:00 CEST |
Nijmegen vs Elversberg Prediction
Nijmegen enter this match as the logical pick. They are playing at home, they carry better recent momentum, and their attacking threat is demonstrably higher based on recent results. The 7-0 win over Al-Fayha is not a result to dismiss entirely — the margin reflects a side that is well-drilled and confident going forward under Dick Schreuder.
Elversberg’s last result, a 1-2 home loss to Viktoria Köln, raises questions about their defensive shape. They did show some resilience earlier in the window with wins over Giessen and Preussen Münster, but their form across three July fixtures reads as inconsistent — one win, one draw, one loss. Against a Nijmegen side that has won two of their last five and scored freely when motivated, the visitors face a tough assignment.
We predict a Nijmegen win here. The home advantage, the goal-scoring form, and Elversberg’s recent defensive fragility all point in the same direction. Both teams have shown they can score in this pre-season window, so backing goals from both sides carries some merit as well.
- Best Bet: Nijmegen to Win
- Both Teams to Score: Yes — both sides have found the net regularly in their recent friendlies
- Total Goals: Over 2.5 — Nijmegen’s attacking output and Elversberg’s leaky recent defensive record support a higher-scoring match
- Corners: Over 8.5 — both teams tend to push forward in friendlies, generating wide play and delivery situations
From a style perspective, Nijmegen have shown a tendency to press aggressively and play direct football when in transition. Elversberg prefer to build through midfield, but that approach can stall against a compact Dutch defensive block. If Elversberg are forced into longer passes and speculative efforts, Nijmegen’s counter-attacking game becomes even more dangerous. The foul count in this match could be moderate — neither team has a particularly physical reputation — but expect Elversberg to pick up yellows if they are chasing the game in the second half.
| 🔥Hot Tip: | Nijmegen to Win & Both Teams to Score |
| ⚽Total Goals: | Over 2.5 |
| 💥Both Teams To Score: | Yes |
| 🎯Total Corners: | Over 8.5 |
Team Analysis
Nijmegen arrive at this match having played five games in July. Their record reads two wins, two losses, and one draw — a 40% winrate that reflects a side still finding consistency. The most recent results, however, paint a more positive picture. They thrashed Al-Fayha 7-0 in their last home match, then followed up with a 3-1 win over V-Varen Nagasaki. Those back-to-back victories suggest a team that has clicked offensively. Before that run, they suffered back-to-back defeats to Anderlecht (2-3) and Duisburg (2-3), showing that their defensive discipline can be a concern against quality opposition. The 1-1 draw with De Treffers earlier in the month was a flat result, but the subsequent bounce-back speaks to the squad’s character. Schreuder appears to be building a setup that prioritises attacking output, and with 15 goals scored across five matches, the numbers back that up.
Elversberg have played three matches in July with a record of one win, one draw, and one loss — a 33% winrate. Their campaign opened with a 5-0 win over Giessen, which suggested real potential going forward. A 1-1 draw with Thun followed, showing they can grind out results when needed. Their most recent outing, however, was a 1-2 home defeat to Viktoria Köln — a result that raises doubts about their readiness ahead of this trip to Nijmegen. Looking further back, they beat Preussen Münster 3-0 and lost 1-3 to Düsseldorf, meaning their form across five matches is patchy. Vincent Wagner’s side can certainly score, but they have also conceded in three of their last five outings, and their defensive structure has not been airtight. The loss to Köln is the freshest concern heading into Saturday.
🚨Check out our dedicated Nijmegen vs Elversberg stats page for more info.
Possible Starting Lineups
No player-level data is available for either squad from the last five matches. The lineups below reflect the most likely structural setups based on known squad profiles and coaching tendencies heading into this fixture.
Nijmegen Possible Starting Eleven
Dick Schreuder has historically favoured a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 depending on the opposition. For a home friendly where Nijmegen will expect to control possession, a 4-3-3 with a high press makes sense. The Dutch side have been prolific in front of goal this July, and Schreuder will likely stick with the attacking setup that produced the 7-0 win.
Elversberg Possible Starting Eleven
Vincent Wagner typically sets Elversberg up in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2 shape, relying on compact midfield structure and quick transitions. After the defeat to Köln, Wagner may look to tighten the defensive block, but the need to press forward away from home complicates that approach. Expect a pragmatic shape with an emphasis on holding midfield discipline.
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Nijmegen. Source: Official Facebook. Edited photo
The Verdict
Nijmegen are the pick here. Playing at home, carrying back-to-back wins, and averaging three goals per game in their last two matches, the Dutch side have every reason to be confident. Elversberg’s inconsistency in July — particularly the fresh defeat to Viktoria Köln — makes them a difficult side to back as away underdogs in a friendly setting.
We predict Nijmegen to win this match with both teams finding the net. The scoreline 2-1 or 3-1 in favour of the hosts feels like the most probable outcome based on the data available. Elversberg have shown they can score in this pre-season window, so a clean sheet for Nijmegen seems less likely than a goal-heavy game that the home side ultimately controls.
To be honest, the gap in current form and home advantage makes this one of the cleaner calls of the July friendly window. Back Nijmegen, expect goals, and perhaps look at the over 2.5 total goals market as the most consistent value option here.
