Excelsior vs Utrecht – News and Probable Lineups

On Sunday, SBV Excelsior hosts FC Utrecht at Stadion Woudestein, with both teams vying for crucial points to further their ambitions.

As FC Volendam has a later fixture, a win for Excelsior would temporarily lift them out of the relegation zone, while a victory for Utrecht would bring them within two points of the sixth spot, with a game in hand.

Match overview

Entering the final stretch of 2025, being just three points away from a European spot seemed unlikely for Excelsior, yet their dismal performance in 2026 has thrust them into a relegation battle with only four matches remaining.

Under the management of Ruben den Uil, the team has secured only one win from 14 matches this year and was on the cusp of their seventh loss in eight until a late equalizer from Szymon Wlodarczyk salvaged a 2-2 draw against PEC Zwolle.

Currently sitting in the Eredivisie’s bottom three based on goal difference, De Roodzwarten still control their fate in the top division, gearing up for their penultimate home match of the season, followed by a vital relegation clash against Volendam in their final home game.

Given their struggles, Excelsior must overcome a 12-match winless streak against Utrecht in all competitions since October 2015, although they have not lost in three of their last four home encounters.

With the clock ticking down, the hosts will require unwavering support from their fans, and scoring first may alleviate some pressure. However, they have allowed the first goal in six of their last seven fixtures.

In a recent fixture that crowned PSV Eindhoven the 2025-26 Eredivisie champions, Utrecht faced a heartbreaking finale, losing a point in stoppage time due to a 94th-minute goal, which ended a thrilling seven-goal encounter and concluded their seven-match unbeaten streak.

Quick to respond, Ron Jans’s side rebounded by delivering a solid 4-1 victory over relegation-threatened Telstar, marking their third home win in a row since March 1.

Facing back-to-back matches against relegation rivals, seventh-placed De Domstedelingen aim to intensify their pursuit of European football, currently sitting only two points ahead of 10th-placed Sparta Rotterdam and within reach of AZ Alkmaar just above them.

Utrecht’s recent defeat to PSV marked their first loss away in six matches. They have not experienced consecutive league losses on the road since October, hence this weekend’s visitors will feel confident about their chances away from home.

While Excelsior has struggled to avoid conceding first, Utrecht has developed a pattern of scoring the opener, achieving this in six of their last seven matches prior to their trip to Rotterdam.

Team News

Excelsior will be without Miliano Jonathans and Hamdi Akujobi, both suffering from anterior cruciate ligament injuries, and are unlikely to return this season.

Stan Henderikx and Mathijs Tielemans are also expected to miss Sunday’s match, although Jerroldino Bergraaf might make a return after being fit enough for the bench last time out.

Victor Jensen has been sidelined since January 18 due to a knee issue, and Miguel Rodriguez is also still out.

Seventeen-year-old Jaygo van Ommeren continues to cope with a back problem, while Emirhan Demircan has recently joined the injury list with a hamstring strain.

After scoring in consecutive matches off the bench, Jesper Karlsson will likely be contending for a starting spot in this fixture.

SBV Excelsior probable starting XI:

Van Gassel; Zagre, Schouten, Widell, Bronkhorst; Naujoks, Hartjes, Yegoian; Fernandes, Wlodarczyk, De Regt

FC Utrecht probable starting XI:

Barkas; El Karouani, Van der Hoorn, Didden, Vesterlund; De Wit, Engwanda; Cathline, Karlsson, Alarcon; Stepanov

Utrecht is seen as the favorites to secure all three points, but Excelsior realizes that they are almost out of time to remain competitive.

As a result, a draw seems likely, with both teams possibly settling for a point by the final whistle.