VVV-Venlo host De Graafschap in the third round of the 2026-27 Eerste Divisie season on Sunday, August 23. Kick-off is scheduled for 14:45 at Seacon Stadion – De Koel –. The two teams have already produced eventful opening results, while their most recent meeting ended in a 3-3 draw on April 11, 2026. Last season’s other encounter was won 3-2 by De Graafschap, and each of the previous four head-to-head matches featured more than 3.5 goals. With both sides currently conceding at least two goals per league game on average, this fixture again carries the potential to deliver plenty of attacking action.

VVV-Venlo Recent Form and Key Statistics

VVV-Venlo enter this match ninth in the Eerste Divisie after recording one victory and one defeat in their opening two league games. Their season began with a dramatic 4-3 loss against Heracles Almelo, but they responded positively on August 14 by beating NAC Breda 2-0 away from home. That result provided an important reaction after an opening match in which their defensive problems outweighed a productive attacking display.

The home team’s early league figures show an average of 2.5 goals scored and 2.0 conceded per match. Across their last five fixtures, VVV-Venlo have collected one win and suffered four defeats, scoring 2.0 goals per game while allowing 2.6. Their preparation also contained several high-scoring results: they lost 5-3 to Viktoria Köln and 3-2 to KAS Eupen, alongside a 1-0 defeat against Fortuna Köln.

One notable trend concerns the timing of goals. At least one of the two teams failed to score before half-time in each of VVV-Venlo’s last 21 home matches, including their previous 20 home fixtures in the Eerste Divisie. The same pattern has occurred in 32 of their last 33 matches overall. However, their games have regularly opened up after the interval:

• At least one second-half goal was scored in the last 14 VVV-Venlo home matches.
• The sequence stands at 13 consecutive home league games.
• VVV-Venlo’s last 11 Eerste Divisie matches all produced a goal after half-time.

Those numbers suggest that patience could be important for the hosts. Although their recent record contains four defeats in five games, they have maintained an average of two goals scored across that period and showed against NAC Breda that they are capable of combining attacking efficiency with a clean sheet.

De Graafschap Recent Form and Key Statistics

De Graafschap travel to this fixture in 17th place after taking one point from their first two Eerste Divisie matches. They opened with a 1-1 draw against Helmond Sport before losing 5-2 to Jong AZ on August 17. Their league record therefore stands at no wins, one draw and one defeat, with averages of 1.5 goals scored and 3.0 conceded per game.

The visitors’ wider form also points towards open contests. De Graafschap have won once, drawn once and lost three times in their last five matches. During that sequence, they averaged 2.2 goals scored and 3.8 conceded. Their preparation included 6-3 and 5-1 defeats against SC Telstar and Excelsior Rotterdam respectively, as well as a 4-2 victory over Kifisia. These results underline both their ability to contribute in attack and the defensive vulnerability evident in recent outings.

Goals have been a persistent feature of De Graafschap’s matches, with more than 1.5 total goals recorded in 37 of their last 40 games. At least one second-half goal was also scored in 35 of their previous 38 fixtures, including 32 of 35 Eerste Divisie matches and 19 of their last 21 away games. This closely matches VVV-Venlo’s strong second-half goal pattern.

Corner statistics provide another relevant angle. More than 7.5 corners were taken in De Graafschap’s last 19 away league matches and in 20 of their previous 21 away fixtures across all competitions. Furthermore, 19 of their last 21 away matches went beyond 8.5 corners. The available odds price over 8.5 corners at 1.24, over 9.5 at 1.46 and over 10.5 at 1.80.

VVV-Venlo vs De Graafschap Match Analysis

The recent evidence makes goals the central theme of this Eerste Divisie preview. VVV-Venlo have scored seven times across their first two league games, while De Graafschap’s opening fixtures have produced nine total goals. Both teams have also recorded several high-scoring results around the start of the season, and the latest head-to-head encounter finished 3-3.

The head-to-head summary gives VVV-Venlo one win, one draw and three defeats, with an average of 1.8 goals scored and 2.6 conceded. De Graafschap therefore hold the better record across those meetings, but neither side’s current defensive numbers offer a strong foundation for expecting a controlled game. The win probabilities give the visitors a 43% chance, compared with 33% for VVV-Venlo and 23% for the draw. The match odds similarly list De Graafschap at 2.15, the hosts at 3.00 and the draw at 3.70.

Even so, the goals markets are more strongly supported than a decisive match-result position. Both Teams To Score is assessed at 66%, while over 2.5 goals also carries a 66% probability. The available odds are 1.40 for both teams to score and 1.44 for over 2.5 goals. Over 3.5 goals is priced at 2.10, reflecting the possibility of another particularly open meeting without making such a high line the most secure conclusion.

The first-half statistics require some balance. VVV-Venlo’s long run of matches in which at least one team did not score before the break suggests that both attacks may not immediately find their rhythm. However, the candidate probability for at least one first-half goal is 86%, and both clubs possess even stronger recurring records for second-half scoring. The final period could consequently become decisive if the game begins cautiously.

Overall, VVV-Venlo’s scoring average, De Graafschap’s rate of 3.8 goals conceded across their last five matches, the visitors’ long sequence of games exceeding 1.5 goals and the recent 3-3 head-to-head result all support an entertaining contest. While another six-goal match cannot be assumed, the statistical profile clearly favors a total above the standard 2.5-goal line.

VVV-Venlo vs De Graafschap prediction from BetMines: Over 2.5 goals with 66% probability.