Excelsior vs VVV Venlo Predictions

Excelsior we’re knocked out of the KNVB Beker in midweek by Eerste Divisie side NEC Nijmegen to extend their winless run in all competitions to four games, and on Saturday they play host to an in form VVV. The visitors progressed through to the next round of the cup via a 3-0 victory over Derde Divisie outfit Westlandia, which takes the Eredivisie teams winning streak to three games.

Excelsior went 2-0 up on Tuesday night through a twentieth minute penalty from midfielder Bruins and an own goal four minutes later from Buwalda. However, a second penalty of the half, this time to the second division visitors, saw Achahbar halve the deficit in the thirty-fourth minute.

The second half progressed in a very tight and tense manner, with the goal late in the first half from the visitors making Excelsior a little more cautious of NEC’s counter attack threat, but with ten minutes left on the clock Braken converted the third penalty of the game to level the teams at two goals apiece.

Just three minutes after the games fourth goal, Edwards was shown his second yellow card of the match and Excelsior were reduced to ten-men heading into extra time. From this point on their only looked to be one winner as the hosts attempted to defend their way through to a penalty shoot-out, only for NEC defender Joppen to score what turned out to be the winning goal in the one-hundred and seventh minute.

Excelsior haven’t had a problem scoring goals this season, but have only kept one clean sheet in their six games of the Eredivisie season. Losing to a lower division team at home is not going to do anyone’s confidence good, and with Saturday’s hosts now on a run of four games without a win they are in danger of slipping into the relegation zone.

Norwegian attacker Samuelsen scored his first VVV goals on Tuesday as his side comfortably beat Westlandia to progress through to the next round of the KNVB Beker. Defender Kum scored the third and final goal of the game that VVV dominated with 67% of the overall possession, nine shots on target and nineteen that went either wide or over.

That cup win made it three victories on the spin for VVV, who now sit sixth in the Eredivisie table. Last season VVV finished fifteenth, so the prospect of a top half finish, let alone the possibility of European football, is bound to have their fans buzzing. Sušić leads the way in front of goal with three in the Eredivisie as things stand, but teammate Post is just one behind on two league goals.

VVV are unbeaten in their last four Eredivisie matches and won their last away game at newly promoted De Graafschap 2-1, while Excelsior are yet to win at home this season. Confidence is growing in the VVV camp and with the joint second best defensive record in the division its going to be a tough afternoon for the hosts.

We’re confident that VVV win pick up a fourth straight win in all competitions this weekend, with the final score reading one goal to nil. VVV are unbeaten in their last five matches, while Excelsior have failed to win any of their last four matches. VVV have won their last three games and Excelsior have conceded twelve goals in their last four games. Its attack verses defence this weekend and we’re backing VVV’s defence to come out on top.