Excelsior vs FC Twente – News and Probable Lineups

Following a streak of defeats, SBV Excelsior turned things around in October, and they now approach their November fixture against FC Twente looking for their first Eredivisie win since September.

However, the Paper Recycling Club has faced challenges at Stadion Woudestein, where they have been defeated in three of their four home matches as they prepare to face a Twente side aiming for European qualification, who could potentially move to second place in the league with a seventh victory of the season.

Match overview

Excelsior’s only loss in the first four league games under Ruben den Uil was a closely contested 2-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven, a result that the team could view as somewhat acceptable.

Nevertheless, it is unlikely that many fans of the Rotterdam club would have anticipated that their 3-0 win against Willem II in early September would remain their sole league victory heading into November.

After attaining nine points from a possible twelve at the season’s start, Den Uil’s team has only added two more from an available eighteen, emphasizing their ongoing struggles both on the pitch and in terms of results.

The early matches of the winless streak featured draws against NEC Nijmegen and Ajax, both ending in 2-2, as well as a narrow 2-1 defeat to FC Utrecht; however, conceding five against Groningen and four against Heerenveen, coupled with a 1-0 defeat to Fortuna Sittard, has been quite demoralizing.

While they are not in immediate danger of relegation, their current position of 13th leaves the Roodzwarten five points clear of the bottom three, providing them with a comfortable buffer for now.

There is at least some hope as they prepare to face their next opponents after enjoying a solid domestic cup victory midweek over MVV Maastricht, winning 3-0 in that contest.

Twente, however, will go into the match as the favorites after apparently overcoming a recent dip in form that coincided with a pair of Eredivisie fixtures in October, where they drew 1-1 against Fortuna and saw their five-match winning streak come to a close against Utrecht.

Since that setback, Twente has bounced back well, scoring six goals while conceding only once in consecutive victories over Lincoln Red Imps (4-1) and AZ Alkmaar (2-0).

This return to form suggests that Van den Brom’s men are regaining their stride ahead of this weekend’s match, which may see De Roodhemden positioned just behind leaders Feyenoord if they secure the full three points, currently trailing by four.

However, for Twente to achieve that result, they must secure a win in Rotterdam while hoping Ajax, facing AZ, and PSV, against Willem II, drop valuable points—results that, while not impossible, may seem ambitious.

Team News

Excelsior appears to be injury-free heading into Sunday, allowing Den Uil to select from a fully fit squad for this fixture.

Irakli Yegoian was instrumental by scoring twice during the midweek victory, bringing his tally to three goals and five assists in the league, firmly establishing himself as the Paper Recycling Club’s leading scorer.

Also finding the net in the cup match was Aymen Sliti, who ended a goal drought stretching back to the 2-2 draw against Ajax in September.

In contrast to their Rotterdam counterparts, Twente has several players facing uncertainty regarding their availability this weekend: Bart van Rooij and Lars Unnerstall will undergo assessments before the match, while Filip Thorvaldsen, Stav Lemkin, and Max Bruns are confirmed absentees. Daouda Weidmann is suspended after receiving two yellow cards in the clash with AZ.

Wout Weghorst remains Twente’s top scorer with four goals, but the former Ajax forward has not found the back of the net in the league since September 20, marking a three-match goal drought he will look to end.

The Tukkers can also count on the match-winning abilities of Sondre Orjasaeter, Younes Taha, and Daan Rots, who collectively have made 11 goal contributions, while the suspended Weidmann has four.

SBV Excelsior probable starting XI:

Van Gassel; Moreira, Widell, Plug, Janssen; Yegoian, Meissen, Hartjes; Sliti, Garden, Thorsteinsson

FC Twente probable starting XI:

Drommel; Rosiak, Propper, Nijstad, Adelgaard; Zerrouki, Van den Belt; Rock, Taha, Orjasaeter; Weghorst

Excelsior’s recent cup success has brought a positive end to October following some heavy defeats, but their dismal outings against Groningen and Heerenveen highlight the defensive frailties Den Uil’s side currently faces.

Even if Weghorst’s scoring struggles continue, Twente’s supporting cast should create ample chances for a comfortable away victory.