Heerenveen vs Excelsior Predictions

Heerenveen will have been hugely disappointed with the manner of their defeat at home to De Graafschap leading into the international break, and will be hoping that result was just a blip in what has been a good run of form for Jan Olde Riekerink’s men. Saturday’s guests Excelsior are in the midst of a poor run of form, one that if it continues this weekend could see the Rotterdam club slip into the relegation zone.

Heerenveen had 54% of the overall possession, more corners, and more shots at home to struggling De Graafschap, yet came away with nothing to show for their efforts as the visitors claimed a 3-0 victory. Excelsior can have no complaints about their defeat at home to Zwolle last time out, as the visitors had 54% of the possession, more corners, and far more shots during the ninety minutes and deserved their 2-0 win. Both Heerenveen and Excelsior will be hoping that the international break has given them the required time to shake off those defeats and put a plan together that will see them return to winning ways on Saturday, but if the performances of both teams this season and their goal scoring ability are anything to go by then Heerenveen should win the game with relative ease.

The recent encounters between these two sides, their performance in the Eredivisie this season, and their results over the last month or so suggest that Heerenveen will pick up all three points on Saturday, and that over 2.5 goals will be scored in the process. Five of the last six meetings between these two clubs have produced over 2.5 goals, with Heerenveen winning three of those matches. The hosts have won three of their last four matches in the Eredivisie, while Excelsior have lost four of their last six in the league. Over 2.5 goals have been scored in each of Heerenveen’s last five matches, and both clubs have conceded 59 goals in the Eredivisie this season. Heerenveen have scored 56 league goals so far this season, while Excelsior have only netted 32, and that leads us to believe that both defences will be beaten on Saturday and that Heerenveen will claim all three points.

Lammers and Vlap are both on fourteen league goals this season for Heerenveen, while Messaoud top scores for Excelsior with just seven Eredivisie goals to his name. We’re confident that Heerenveen will win on Saturday and that over 2.5 goals will be scored, with a predicted final score of 3-1. Both teams concede goals on a regular basis and rarely keep clean sheets, but Heerenveen have far more scoring power, are in better form, and have a good head to head record against Excelsior, which is why we’re backing a comfortable 3-1 win for the hosts on Saturday.