Preview: FC Utrecht vs SBV Excelsior - prediction, team news, lineups

FC Utrecht play host to SBV Excelsior looking to build on their solid start to the new Eredivisie campaign.

At a time when the home side sit in seventh position in the table, the visitors to Stadion Galgenwaard are 17th after losing each of their opening fixtures.

Match preview

While most teams are still warming back into the new season, Utrecht already have seven matches under their belt courtesy of their participation in the Europa League qualifying rounds.

They stand on the brink of qualification for the main stages of that competition having recorded a 2-0 win at HSK Zrinjski Mostar on Thursday night, their sixth victory in all competitions during 2025-26.

However, their one defeat came in the Eredivisie last weekend, Sparta Rotterdam getting the better of Ron Jans' side by a 2-1 scoreline courtesy of an 88th-minute penalty.

In the grand scheme of things, Jans will view that result as a minor blip as they juggle trying to earn the club a return to main-phase European football for the first time in 15 years.

Nevertheless, as they bid to replicate last season's fourth-placed finish, Jans and his players know that it is imperative that maximum points are collected from matches against this level of opposition.

SBV Excelsior should not necessarily be written off conclusively given that they provided Feyenoord with a scare last time out before suffering a 2-1 defeat.

The newly-promoted side took a ninth-minute lead ahead of finding themselves behind by the 34th minute, yet it was a positive response from losing 5-0 to NEC Nijmegen on the opening weekend.

Survival will be the priority of Ruben den Uil who is aware of the size of his task when the club have spent four of the last six years in the second tier of Dutch football.

Their defensive record in the Eerste Divisie got them over the line in 2024-25, conceding just 38 goals in as many matches, but Excelsior are already appreciating the step up in levels ahead of trying to halt a team that have scored 19 times in just seven games this season.

FC Utrecht Eredivisie form:

W L

FC Utrecht form (all competitions):

W W W W L W

SBV Excelsior Eredivisie form:

L L

Team News

Having tinkered with his Utrecht XI for the Europa League fixture, Jans could revert back to the starting lineup from the last Eredivisie game.

That would see the likes of Siebe Horemans, Souffian El Karouani and Miguel Rodriguez come back into the team.

David Min may also return down the centre of the attack having scored on his return to the side on Thursday night after concussion.

Barring any fitness issues, Den Uil may decide to retain the same Excelsior starting lineup from the Feyenoord game.

Den Uil made three alterations for that fixture and the players coming into the team gave a better account of themselves than the trio that were replaced at NEC Nijmegen.

FC Utrecht possible starting lineup:

Brouwer; Horemans, Van der Hoorn, Viergever, Karouani; Engwanda, Zechiel; Rodriguez, Blake; Min, De Wit

SBV Excelsior possible starting lineup:

Raatsie; Martens, Widell, Henderikx, Zagre; Carlen, Naujoks; Fernandes, Booth, De Regt; Duinen

We say: FC Utrecht 2-0 SBV Excelsior

Despite their recent league defeat and European efforts, FC Utrecht remain the clear favourites to prevail from this fixture. While the visitors may make it competitive for a time, we do not envisage them making a notable impact.

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