The upcoming clash at Stadion Woudestein features Excelsior facing Groningen in a pivotal Eredivisie encounter. Groningen enters with a higher form percentage and a strong head-to-head record, giving them an edge. Excelsior's home advantage and current squad resilience add interesting variables to this match.
Check out our complete thoughts below.
These are our top betting tips and predictions for the match.
Both teams have shown defensive vulnerabilities, but Groningen generally manages to score more consistently, making Both Teams To Score a plausible market.
Groningen are likely to be the stronger side, but Excelsior's home advantage keeps the odds tight. A small handicap favoring Groningen with a -1.5 goal spread is recommended.
Historical data leans towards Groningen leading at halftime and possibly securing the full-time result, with a focus on Groningen leading at the break.
Over 2.5 goals seems the most likely scenario based on past matches, but the weight of recent defensive performances suggests cautious betting.
On December 5, Groningen is expected to outperform Excelsior, securing at least a draw or a narrow victory due to superior form and head-to-head record. Expect a tactical battle with Groningen employing a balanced approach, leveraging their solidity.
Groningen has a significant advantage in previous head-to-head encounters, winning about 80% of the time, including the most recent meeting in January 2024 where they secured a 2-0 victory. Excelsior's last win was in May 2019.
L. Hartjes of Excelsior will miss the game due to a knee injury, which could impact their defensive stability. Groningen has no significant injury concerns and can field their strongest side.
Expected formations: Excelsior will likely deploy a 4-2-3-1 with emphasis on possession, while Groningen might opt for a 4-2-3-1 as well, with a focus on counter-attacks. Groningen generally presses more intensely, prioritizing quick transitions against Excelsior’s possession-based style.
Groningen's recent form is 33%, showing some inconsistency but maintaining a solid defensive record. Excelsior’s form stands at 47%, yet they struggle to score consistently and have defensively weak moments.
See below all the main information for this match.
Excelsior enters this match with a recent form of 47%, often struggling defensively and showing limited goal-scoring ability, averaging 1.2 goals per game. Conversely, Groningen has a slightly better recent form of 33% and generally maintains a solid defense, with an average of 1.6 goals conceded per game.
Groningen has historically dominated matches against Excelsior, especially in away fixtures, with a high win rate of 80%. Excelsior's recent home form is less consistent, winning only 3 of their last 7 games at Stadion Woudestein. These trends suggest Groningen has a stronger record overall.
Excelsior's main injury concern is L. Hartjes, who is missing due to jumpers knee, impacting their defensive stability. Groningen currently has no notable injury issues, allowing them to field their strongest lineup for the upcoming clash.
The match is set at Stadion Woudestein in Rotterdam, with Groningen favored to win or at least secure a draw based on recent head-to-head performances and league form. Groningen's offensive and defensive metrics indicate they have an edge over the home side.
First League
Premier League
