Willem II vs Excelsior Prediction & Tips | Eredivisie | FootballTips.app

Willem II return to the Koning Willem II Stadion still searching for their first victory since promotion, while Excelsior arrive in Tilburg with six points from three matches and confidence boosted by a dramatic Rotterdam derby win. John Stegeman’s side sit 15th with one point, whereas Ruben den Uil’s team are ninth after two victories from their opening three games.

The hosts finally ended their losing start last weekend, recovering to draw 2-2 with Heerenveen. Uriël van Aalst opened the scoring from Nathan Tjoe-A-On’s cross before Heerenveen turned the game around through Jacob Trenskow and Oliver Braude. Willem II responded again in the 82nd minute when Calvin Twigt’s incisive pass released Devin Haen to score the equaliser and secure their first point of the campaign.

That performance offered more attacking encouragement than their earlier defeats to Go Ahead Eagles and NEC. Haen now has two league goals, while Tjoe-A-On has supplied two assists and leads the Eredivisie with four big chances created. Twigt also made an immediate creative impact against Heerenveen, producing five key passes and three big chances as Willem II showed greater ability to hurt opponents in transition.

Excelsior arrive after beating Sparta Rotterdam 2-1 at Stadion Woudestein. Aymen Sliti gave them the lead before Milan Zonneveld equalised shortly after half-time, but substitutes Ilano Silva Timas and Nesto Groen combined from a stoppage-time corner for the decisive goal. Den Uil’s changes proved particularly effective, with both Excelsior goals developing from dead-ball situations.

The visitors have made an impressive start overall, scoring seven goals while conceding only three. Their balance has been notable: they thrashed Cambuur 4-0 away, pushed PSV closely in a 2-1 defeat and then edged Sparta. Simon Janssen and Irakli Yegoian have both contributed two assists, while Noah Naujoks remains their leading scorer with two despite his current fitness concern.

Recent history provides Willem II with some encouragement, as they have won the previous two meetings between the clubs. Current form nevertheless favours Excelsior, whose sharper defensive structure and set-piece threat could prove particularly important against a Willem II side still conceding more than three goals per match.