Sparta Rotterdam vs Excelsior prediction: NETHERLANDS: Eredivisie betting tips on match 2023-01-14 20:00.
Sparta Rotterdam can look back upon their first matches of the new year with plenty of pride. Despite having to play the powerful PSV twice within three days, they were able to eke out an Eredivisie draw that helped keep them within reach of the top four, although they cannot close in on it this week. Although they were eliminated from the KNVB Cup to PSV, they came agonisingly close to enforcing extra time.
Upon their 48th competitive Rotterdam derby meeting with rivals Excelsior Rotterdam, the home side are going to have to go without important midfield anchor Arno Verschueren, who has to miss this clash through suspension. Jonathan de Guzman is out through injury, but Younes Namli will be a most welcome return. Sparta should welcome this opportunity to take on a lower placed opposition after some stern tests, boasting an impressive unbeaten W7, D1 Eredivisie record against clubs placed ninth or lower.
Excelsior have not been able to match the performance of their fellow townsmen from Spangen this season, but in recent years they have lifted and perhaps even overachieved for this clash. Whilst this is the first Eredivisie meeting between the sides since 2017/18, it’s certainly worth noting that Excelsior won three of the four clashes across that season and the one prior, including both away to Sparta. In fact, they haven’t lost any of the last 12 H2Hs across any competition (W7, D5)!
Earlier during the week, Excelsior were eliminated from the cup by KNVB (1-4) and have struggled terribly on the road in league football lately, losing their last three away trips by a combined aggregate score of 15-3. Peer Koopmeiners made his debut for De Kralingers in the Cup during the week against his former club and against Sparta the mercenary will have the opportunity to record his first Eredivisie minutes for Excelsior.
Players to watch: Tobias Lauritsen has scored four times in his last seven official games for Sparta, and Excelsior’s Julian Baas provided two assists in his last four appearances in the Eredivisie.
Hot streak: The last 13 competitive H2Hs were either drawn or decided by a one-goal margin.