On Friday, August 16, 2024, “The Kralingers”, who lost to NAC Breda in an incredible two games in the playoffs (2:6 and 4:1), will meet De Graafschap, who have not been on the verge of returning to the Eredivisie for seven seasons. Our experts have analyzed both teams, so let’s see what to expect from the game in our new Excelsior vs De Graafschap prediction.
Excelsior vs De Graafschap: Pre-match Review
SBV Excelsior
Roodzwarten began their unfortunate return to the Eerste Divisie with a not-greatest away match against TOP Oss. The visitors played quite confidently in the first half and scored thanks to the efforts of Richie Omorowa – 0:1 after the first half. However, what happened in the second half is hard to describe.
TOP Oss simply nailed the guests at the beginning of the second half. Thanks to goals by Giovanni Korte in the 46th and Abel Stensrud in the 49th, the game was completely turned around. Excelsior players began to press with all their might and fired at Mike Havekotte’s goal from almost all possible positions, but they failed to break through the home goalkeeper. On the contrary, TOP Oss players not only withstood the pressure of the opponent but also scored the third thanks to the efforts of Tijmen Wildeboer – 3:1 in the end.
De Graafschap
The match between Excelsior and De Graafschap will be the second for the guests against a team that was relegated from the Eredivisie last season, as in the first round the “Superboeren” played Volendam, another team that left the top flight.
The home game with Volendam was very nervous. The home team led 2-0 by the 16th minute, with goals scored by Tristan van Gilst and Jesse van de Haar. However, Volendam quickly showed what they had learned from the Eredivisie. In the first half, Robert Mühren scored one goal, and in 15 minutes of the second half, the score was 2:3—Milan de Haan and Henk Veerman scored.
Volendam changed the game significantly on the field and was close to scoring more, but in the 71st minute, Xavier Mbuyamba let his team down, earning a straight red card and leaving the guests with ten men. Jan Vreman began to quickly change tactics and make the right decisions, which were converted into goals in the 90+1 and 90+6 minutes of the match – Stan Wevers and Ibrahim El Kadiri, who had previously been substituted, scored. A strong-willed and hard-fought 4:3 victory allows us to make a positive prediction before the Excelsior – De Graafschap match.
Excelsior vs De Graafschap: Head-to-Head
| Excelsior – De Graafschap H2H | |||
| 2021/22 Season | |||
| SBV Excelsior | 0 | 0 | De Graafschap |
| De Graafschap | 3 | 1 | SBV Excelsior |
| 2020/21 Season | |||
| De Graafschap | 1 | 1 | SBV Excelsior |
| SBV Excelsior | 1 | 2 | De Graafschap |
| 2019/20 Season | |||
| De Graafschap | 0 | 0 | SBV Excelsior |
Possible Lineups
| SBV Excelsior | De Graafschap | |
| Goalkeepers | Calvin Raatsie | Ties Wieggers |
| Defenders | Kymani Nedd, Django Warmerdam, Casper Widell, Ilias Bronkhorst | Jeffrey Fortes, Joran Hardeman, Rio Hillen, Levi Schoppema |
| Midfielders | Lennard Hartjes, Cedric Hatenboer, Jacky Donkor, Noah Naujoks, Oscar Uddenäs | Stan Wevers, Donny Warmerdam, Ibrahim El Kadiri, Ralf Seuntjens, Tristan van Gilst |
| Forwards | Richie Omorowa | Jesse van de Haar |
Excelsior vs De Graafschap: Match Prediction
Although De Graafschap was able to go against all predictions and turn their game around against Volendam, it is noticeable that matches against opponents who are higher in the class are difficult for them. Can we call Excelsior such an opponent? Yes!
In the Excelsior vs De Graafschap match, we expect goals scored and a goal-to-goal game. Both teams are determined to fight for promotion and know how to get the desired result, some due to dedication, and some due to class.
SBV Excelsior vs De Graafschap Prediction: Both teams to score, with odds at 1.50.
| The Prediction | ||
| Both teams to score (~odds 1.50) | ||
