Heerenveen vs Excelsior prediction: team news, lineups, expert analysis
On October 16, 2026, Heerenveen and Excelsior will meet in the ninth round of the Dutch Eredivisie. Both sides will be hoping to claim a positive result.
Heerenveen vs Excelsior team news and expert analysis
The club from the "Abe Lenstra" finished eighth in last season's league campaign, then lost their very first playoff match for a place in European competition — 2-3 against Utrecht. After opening the current season with a 1-0 win over Twente, they had to wait until their sixth attempt to record another victory, this time against Sparta. As expected, they were beaten by PSV in the most recent round, 0-2.
The Rotterdam side finished 13th. However, they made an impressive start this time around, recording three wins in their first four matches. They then lost at home to Utrecht and drew several times away from home. In the latest round, they suffered a heavy 1-5 defeat to Groningen.
Trenskow and company score an average of 1.38 goals per game and concede exactly the same amount. Ruben den Eijl's side have scored two goals and conceded just 1.75 on average.
Previous matches: Heerenveen vs Excelsior
Heerenveen won both meetings last season, with each match ending 2-1.
The hosts are expected to win, and quite comfortably at that. However, there are questions surrounding their form as well, so the safer option is to back "over 3.0 goals" (odds – 1.61).
Heerenveen vs Excelsior: key statistics and trends
- Heerenveen have won one of their last seven matches
- 38% of Heerenveen's matches have ended with both teams scoring, while the average total goals per game is 2.75
- Excelsior are winless in four consecutive matches
- 75% of Excelsior's matches have ended with both teams scoring, while the average total goals per game is 3.75
Heerenveen vs Excelsior: possible starting lineups
Heerenveen play in a 1-4-2-3-1 formation (possible lineup): Klaver — Zagaritis, Willemssen, Kersten, Breude — Smans, Linday — Rivera, Kaurtens, Trenskow — Vente
Excelsior play in a 1-4-3-3 formation (possible lineup): van Gassel — Janssen, Plug, Widell, da Silva Moreira — Hartjes, Meissen, Eguoyan — Thorsteinsson, Garden, Sliti
Follow the Dutch Eredivisie table and check your team's form before placing a bet on the next match
