Willem II welcome Excelsior to the Koning Willem II Stadion in Tilburg on September 5, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00 local time. The two sides approach this Eredivisie fixture in contrasting form. Willem II are still searching for their first league victory of the season after collecting one point from three matches, while Excelsior have opened their campaign with two wins and one defeat. The hosts will hope that the 2-2 draw with SC Heerenveen represents the beginning of an improvement, but their defensive numbers underline the scale of the challenge. Excelsior, meanwhile, travel with confidence after beating Sparta Rotterdam 2-1 and have already demonstrated considerable attacking potential. With Willem II scoring in each of their last 14 matches and both clubs involved in several high-scoring contests, this encounter has the ingredients for an open game in which chances could arrive at both ends.

Willem II Recent Form and Key Statistics

Willem II have endured a difficult beginning to the Eredivisie season, recording no wins, one draw and two defeats. They opened with a 4-1 loss against Go Ahead Eagles before suffering another heavy setback, this time losing 4-1 at home to NEC Nijmegen. Those results placed immediate pressure on a defence that has conceded an average of 3.3 goals per league match.

Their most recent performance offered more encouragement. Willem II drew 2-2 with SC Heerenveen on August 30, earning their first point after the two opening defeats. Although the wait for a league win continues, scoring twice in that contest provided a more positive attacking signal ahead of another home fixture.

Across Willem II’s last five matches, their record stands at two victories, one draw and two defeats. They have averaged 1.4 goals scored and 2.2 conceded during that sequence. Their season average is slightly lower at 1.3 goals scored per Eredivisie game, but an important trend is that Willem II have found the net in each of their last 14 matches. That scoring consistency gives the home team a route into the contest, even though preventing opportunities at the other end remains a major concern.

• Eredivisie record: zero wins, one draw and two defeats.
• Season scoring average: 1.3 goals per match.
• Season concession average: 3.3 goals per match.
• Current scoring run: at least one Willem II goal in 14 consecutive matches.

Excelsior Recent Form and Key Statistics

Excelsior have made the stronger start, winning two of their opening three Eredivisie fixtures. A 4-0 victory away to SC Cambuur highlighted their attacking strength, while the 2-1 success over Sparta Rotterdam on August 29 added another three points. Their only league defeat in the information provided was a narrow 2-1 loss against PSV Eindhoven.

The visitors have averaged 2.3 goals scored and 1.0 conceded per Eredivisie match this season. Their wider five-match form is also impressive: four wins, no draws and one defeat, accompanied by an average of 3.4 goals scored and 1.4 conceded. Those figures suggest that Excelsior are arriving with substantial momentum, particularly in the final third.

Goals have been a regular feature of their league matches. Each of Excelsior’s last 12 Eredivisie games has produced more than 1.5 total goals, and at least one first-half goal has also been recorded in all 12 of those fixtures. Excelsior have therefore been involved in matches that tend to open up before the interval rather than remaining goalless for long periods.

• Eredivisie record: two wins and one defeat.
• Season scoring average: 2.3 goals per match.
• Last five matches: four wins and one defeat.
• League goal trend: over 1.5 total goals in 12 consecutive Excelsior matches.
• First-half trend: at least one goal before the break in 12 consecutive league matches.

Willem II vs Excelsior Match Analysis

The central question is whether Willem II can improve defensively without losing the attacking output that has allowed them to score in 14 successive matches. Their 2-2 draw against SC Heerenveen showed that they can respond in front of goal, but conceding ten times across their first three league fixtures leaves them vulnerable against an Excelsior side averaging more than two goals per game.

Excelsior have stronger early-season results and enter the game with a higher supplied win probability. The visitors are rated at 43% to win, compared with 33% for Willem II and 24% for the draw. However, their recent matches have not been entirely without defensive openings: they conceded against both Sparta Rotterdam and PSV Eindhoven. Willem II’s long scoring run means the hosts cannot be dismissed as an attacking threat despite their lack of victories.

The available goal indicators point toward an eventful contest. The probability of more than 2.5 goals is listed at 61%, while the probability of both teams scoring is slightly higher at 62%. The head-to-head summary is evenly balanced, with one Willem II win, two draws and one Excelsior victory. In those meetings, Willem II averaged 1.5 goals scored and 1.3 conceded.

Home advantage gives Willem II an opportunity to build on their first point, but Excelsior’s current form and attacking averages make the visitors a significant danger. The hosts’ reliable scoring record, combined with their defensive struggles and Excelsior’s productive start, supports the expectation that neither goalkeeper will necessarily finish with a clean sheet.

Willem II vs Excelsior prediction from BetMines: Both Teams To Score (Yes) with 62% probability.