The matchupThe market makes Excelsior the side to beat here at 38%, but only just, so this reads as a close call rather than a mismatch. Our model lands on Excelsior, and it backs that with a 2 units stake. Excelsior look slightly better equipped at home given their recent wins. Groningen travel here on the back of consecutive losses.
Form and momentumExcelsior come in patchy, winning 33% of 40 on record. 6 of their 20 home games went their way, and the numbers point to a fairly even scoring record. Right now they are on 1 draw in a row.
FC Groningen come in patchy, winning 40% of 40 on record. 8 of their 20 away games went their way, and the numbers point to a side that scores freely. Right now they are on 1 win in a row.
The price and the valueThe prices turn into 38% for EXC, 26% for the draw and 36% for GRO once the bookmaker margin is stripped out. There is little between the two in the market, so the edge, if there is one, sits in the detail rather than the headline price. Our call sits at 2.45, and we only stake it because the reasons for it outweigh the reasons against.
When these two meetThese two have been level across 2 past meetings, 1 wins each and 0 drawn. Nothing in the history separates them.
Where it could go wrong- Excelsior have also recorded two draws in their last five matches which shows they can sometimes struggle to close out games.
- FC Groningen did manage to secure a win and two draws before their recent defeats so they are capable of taking points.
The bottom lineWe back Excelsior for 2 units. It settles itself when the game ends, win or lose, and it goes on the record either way. This is an opinion read off the form and the prices on this page, not advice, and never a promise of a result.