ERIK SAYS :

Excelsior

Excelsior has known a terrific start of the season after their promotion from the Dutch First League last season. The team from coach Lokhoff is currently on the 8th place in the ranking with 10 points from six games and a excellent home record winning three out of their four last matches beating SC Heerenveen (3-1), Willem II (3-2) and Sparta (3-1).

For the game against FC Utrecht the team will have to do without Gyan (def), Grot (att), Hertog (mid) and Hofman (att)who are all suspended. The best player for Excelsior has been Slory (att) this season and the player has already been approached by Feyenoord.

With three goals this season and three assists Slory (att) has shown to be of great importance to the team and Excelsior will once again build the team around him for the game against FC Utrecht looking for the speed of Slory (att) in the counter attacks.

FC Utrecht

FC Utrecht is currently 11th in the rankings with seven points from six games and the team lost their last match 2-3 at home to Ajax in a crazy game.

Ajax took a 0-2 lead but in the last ten minutes of the game FC Utrecht managed to level the score with ten men after Van Dijk (mid) was sent off after a foul on Sneijder and will face a five-game suspension.

FC Utrecht will be looking for their first away win against Excelsior and will have to do without Schut (def), Keller (def), Shew-Atjon (def), Maachi (att) and Van Dijk (mid).

Verdict

Excelsior have won their last three home games in a row against SC Heerenveen, Willem II and Sparta and is working on a very good streak. The team has a lot of confidence and will be looking to add another three points to their total.

FC Utrecht has a poor away record this season not being able to win one single match but the performance against Ajax was something to hold on to. Despite the missing of Van Dijk FC Utrecht has got a strong team with Fortune (att) scoring three goals in his last six games. Excelsior has played some more than decent games at home but their tricks in scoring counter goals to win may have been known to the other teams.

Excelsior has nothing more than an average team and despite being on a good run I don't think they will be able to keep up their record against FC Utrecht. Odds are offered around $2.75 (Skybet, Ladbrokes) for the away win and I will take these with medium stakes. A more safe option would be FC Utrecht AH -0 $1.98(Bet365).

The Pick :

FC Utrecht to win

PERCENTAGE ESTIMATE :

Excelsior 25% - Draw 35% - Utrecht 40%

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

FC Utrecht to win $2.75 (Ladbrokes)

HANDICAP BETTING :

FC Utrecht AH -0 $1.98 (Bet365)