FC Groningen v Excelsior Rotterdam
Football : Netherlands : Eredividsie
Saturday, 18th September 2010 - Kickoff 19:45

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FC Groningen

I predicted Groningen to beat Utrecht last week, and it took a late goal to finalize it. Groningen needed a penalty in the 85th minute to score the opener and match winning goal. Utrecht showed no attacking intentions at all, giving a hard time to Groningen finding spaces and creating chances.

Groningen is trying to play forward, but it’s not going smooth yet and they will need some time to optimize their play. Talented players Bacuna and Tadic dissapointed against Utrecht and are inconsistent, and up front Pedersen played as striker. It wasn't his best performance and striker Matavz who was benched might come in here.

FC Groningen are standing on the fourth place now, and collected 7 points from their three home matches. Ajax were held to a draw 2-2, tough defending de Graafschap were beaten 2-1, Utrecht 1-0 and now Excelsior will pay them a visit. FC Groningen has a hard time against teams leaning back and with defensive intentions only.

Excelsior will be no different to the last two matches, and I’m expecting a hard match for Groningen again. It's searching for spaces and gaps, trying to press forward, and with patience looking for a goal. Cause in the end, staying clear of conceded goals is also important, especially with 0-0 score.

Excelsior Rotterdam

Excelsior play with one target, staying in the Eredivisie. Before the start of the season they were seen as relegated before having played a match, as the squad looked the weakest of all in the Eredivisie.

I expected Excelsior to be hanging at the bottom of the table, but they have surprised and are on a good 6th position. They have reached this with playing defensive, hitting opponents on the break with fast striker Fernandez. He will be suspended for the next couple of matches due to a suspension. But it will not change much to their strategy, leaning back and trying to 'kill' the match. Taking their time with every throw in, goal kick and so on, all kind of tricks to reach the final whistle with a point at least.

Last week Excelsior fought back from a 1-0 deficit at halftime to a 2-1 win against Heracles. This team has mentality, even though it’s a young and inexperienced team. Manager Pastoor has really performed to the max so far, and it seems he knows to motivate his group very well with a fantastic 10 points so far.

After their first loss against de Graafschap (3-0), they managed to stay unbeaten the last four matches. As said, main striker and top goalscorer Fernadez is suspended, and he will be missed as he is capable of keeping 3 defenders busy at the same time. Without his pace the counter attacks will be less threatening and it might mean Excelsior will concentrate on defending even more.

The Betting Verdict

FC Groningen has problems breaking down solid defending teams. This will be the case on saturday night again, as Excelsior will come to Groningen with minimal offensive ambitions. A point will be the Excelsior aim, and will keep them safely away from the relegation zone a week more.

This survival strategy has worked for Excelsior so far, and Groningen will have their hands full on this team. There might be a change up front at Groningen, and there will be one for sure at Excelsior side, but this will change nothing to the fact Groningen wil go for the win and will be dominant.

I'm not trusting Groningen here and am impressed by Excelsior ability to kill matches, so I’m going for under 3 goals.

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take Under 3 goals at 2.12