NEC's advancing players create several receiving positions while leaving space behind their pressure. Groningen retain connections capable of taking the ball into that space. Genoa against Venezia turns on a different question: whether home possession can move a compact midfield without losing cover against a direct outlet.
Storm and Bischoff supplied NEC's attack in Zagreb, with Linssen and Chery involved ahead of them. Groningen's recent tracking and second-ball problems meet that movement directly. Clement and Willumsson, together with Van der Werff's progression, give Groningen a reply when the first home press is passed.
NEC's absent creators were already missing from the Zagreb squad, so the case uses the replacement attack that actually played. Groningen's expected starting connections also match their latest league team; Metu's new absence removes a substitute. I expect entries after turnovers and bypassed pressure, followed by attacking changes in the final stages. That's why I'm siding with more goals in NEC against Groningen.
Venezia's more direct progression under Nicola has a clear example in Sohm's pass to Adams against Napoli. That outlet requires Genoa to keep protection behind their attempts to create through midfield. Genoa's recent scoring connection through Ellertsson, Osmajic and Messias exists, but their production against Fiorentina was concentrated in the opening spell.
Traore's planned start adds a Genoa midfield connection. Venezia's returning Busio and Bella-Kotchap add squad options, while the starting case rests on the players already used against Napoli. I expect a contested opening with Venezia keeping their lines close and looking quickly for Adams and nearby support. That's why I'm siding with Venezia to avoid defeat.
