Expect NEC to line up in their usual 3-4-2-1, with Crettaz in goal, a back three of Storm, Nuytinck and Fonville, and wing-backs Pereira and Bischoff providing the width. The double pivot of Monteiro and Nejasmic will try to screen the defence, while Chery and Tadic operate in the half-spaces behind Linssen. It is a shape designed to create overloads in midfield, but it leaves the flanks exposed. Bodo/Glimt, in their trusted 4-3-3, will look to exploit those wide areas with the pace of Blomberg and the overlapping runs of Bjorkan. Haikin is a safe pair of hands, and the centre-back pairing of Bjortuft and Gundersen is comfortable stepping into midfield.

The midfield battle is where this tie will be won. Berg, Fet and Auklend are a well-oiled unit — they press in packs, win second balls, and break with purpose. NEC's Monteiro and Nejasmic will be chasing shadows if they try to go toe-to-toe. The Dutch side will likely sit deeper, inviting pressure, but that is a dangerous game against a team that scores from set pieces and long-range strikes. Bodo/Glimt's 4-3-3 morphs into a 3-4-3 in possession, with the full-backs pushing high. That creates a numerical advantage in midfield, and NEC's wing-backs will be dragged out of position, leaving gaps for the Norwegian runners to knife through.