FC Emmen vs Excelsior Predictions

Emmen moved ahead of this weekends opponents Excelsior in the Eredivisie table before the international break thanks to a 2-0 win over Breda, and will be keen to distance themselves further from the relegation zone by making it back to back wins on Sunday. Excelsior were hammered 7-1 in their own backyard by a rampant Ajax side last time out and will be wanting to make amends to their fans with a much more solid performance against Emmen.

Breda held Emmen in the first half of their match, where despite the hosts best efforts the scoreline remained goalless. Emmen made their 55% of the overall possession count in the second half though as goals from Cavlan in the fifty-eighth minute and one from Arias two minutes from time wrapped up a 2-0 win. The hosts had nine corners to their guests one and over twice as many shots on target, so in the end the right team claimed all three points.

Emmen are now unbeaten in their last three Eredivisie games and slowly appear to be building up the confidence and self belief that they can make it in the top flight of Dutch football. However, the hosts are yet to produce a natural goalscorer, instead four players share the title as top goalscorer in the league this season with two goals apiece to their names. Messaoud has scored four league goals for Excelsior this season and leads the way in front of goal for Sunday’s visitors, while Bruins provides a threat from midfield having chipped in with three goals of his own.

Excelsior were always going to be in for a tough afternoon when they took on in form Ajax, and found themselves 2-0 down at half time thanks to goals from van de Beek and Schöne. The next goal was always going to shape the game and when van de Beek netted his brace three minutes after the restart it ended any hopes the hosts had of a comeback. Messaoud did manage to pull a goal back early in the second half, but Excelsior’s joy was short lived as Dolberg made it 4-1 before the hour mark. An own goal from Schouten added insult to injury for the home side, but things got even worse as Ziyech made it 6-1 in the seventy-ninth minute and Neres scored a seventh with three minutes left on the clock.

Excelsior were outplayed in every department and there were no positives to take from their performance against Ajax, so instead the visitors must sweep the result under the carpet and hopefully they will have worked on their defending over the international break. Emmen edged the form guide thanks to one win and two draws from their last three league games, while Excelsior will be hoping to end their three game losing streak in the Eredivisie on Sunday.

We’re confident that both teams will score on Sunday, and have backed the game to end in a 1-1 draw. Four of the last six meetings between the clubs have seen both teams score. Three of Emmen’s last five matches have seen both teams score, while each of Excelsior’s last three matches have seen both teams score. Emmen have drawn two of their last three Eredivisie games 1-1, and we’re expecting another score draw this weekend.