Liam Duckstein
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Nijmegen welcome Excelsior to Stadion de Goffert in what looks like a straightforward home win on paper, but the visitors have been quietly one of the better teams in the early Eredivisie 2026/27 standings. Excelsior sit fifth with nine points from four games, scoring ten goals and conceding just three. Nijmegen, sitting tenth with six points, know that dropping further ground at home would make the season harder to recover from. The interesting angle here is that Excelsior have dominated their last ten or so matches in form, while Nijmegen have been inconsistent, mixing wins against weaker opposition with heavy defeats to stronger sides.
Two players to track closely are Tjaronn Chery for Nijmegen, who has contributed three goals and one assist across the last five matches from midfield, and Irakli Yegoian for Excelsior, who leads the visitors with one goal and two assists in just three games this season, adding nine shots to go with that output.
The hot stat worth noting: Nijmegen have scored nine goals across their last five matches while also conceding heavily against quality opposition, including back-to-back 3-1 and 0-3 and 1-3 losses. Their attacking output is genuine, but the defensive side has been leaky.
| 🏆 Tournament: | Eredivisie 2026/27, Regular Season |
| 🏟 Venue: | Stadion de Goffert, Nijmegen |
| 🗓️ Date: | 08.09.2026 |
| ⏰ Time: | 18:45 CEST |
Nijmegen vs Excelsior Prediction
Nijmegen are clear favourites at home, and the head-to-head record backs that up: they beat Excelsior 2-0 and 5-0 in the previous two Eredivisie meetings. The bookmakers agree, pricing Nijmegen at around 1.40 with most operators. We predict a Nijmegen win, and the value is reasonable at that price given home advantage and a historically dominant record in this fixture.
Nijmegen play a direct, high-volume style. Across their last five matches, they generated 66 total shots and 19 corner kicks, significantly outpacing Excelsior’s 34 shots and 13 corners. Their passing volume is also much higher, with 2,227 passes compared to Excelsior’s 1,173. That territorial control tends to generate corners and set-piece situations. Nijmegen committed 52 fouls and collected eight yellow cards in five games, suggesting they play with physical intensity that can disrupt opponents but also hand away free kicks. Excelsior, with just four yellow cards and 36 fouls, are a cleaner side disciplinarily, which could work in their favour if the game gets tight and physical.
Excelsior’s defensive structure has been sound in the league, conceding only three goals in four games. Their goalkeeper Stijn van Gassel has made ten saves in three matches, which tells you they are not just coasting through easy fixtures. The concern for Excelsior is that Nijmegen at home, with Chery pulling strings and a front line that includes Bryan Linssen, Clement Bischoff, and Dušan Tadić, creates problems for any visiting defence.
We predict Nijmegen to win with both teams scoring. Excelsior have scored in every game this season, and Nijmegen’s defence has shown vulnerabilities. The total goals market leans over 2.5 given both sides’ attacking tendencies and Nijmegen’s defensive record against better opposition.
| 🔥Hot Tip: | Tjaronn Chery to score anytime |
| ⚽Total Goals: | Over 2.5 |
| 💥Both Teams To Score: | Yes |
| 🎯Total Corners: | Over 8.5 |
Team Analysis
Nijmegen have had a mixed run across recent weeks. They beat Willem II 4-1 and PEC Zwolle 3-1, showing they can punish weaker opposition, but they were beaten 1-3 by Feyenoord in their most recent outing and lost twice to Bodo Glimt (0-3 and 1-3) in European competition. Those losses came against sides ranked significantly higher. Against Feyenoord, Dick Schreuder’s side managed a goal but were undone by their defensive structure. The win over PEC Zwolle was more controlled, with a 3-1 scoreline reflecting their dominance in possession and shot volume. In the Eredivisie, Nijmegen have two wins and two losses from four games. They are a functional side that creates chances but can be exposed by teams willing to press and transition quickly.
Excelsior come into this match with genuine momentum. Their most recent result was a 3-0 win over Willem II, a convincing performance that extended a run of form that includes wins over Sparta Rotterdam (2-1) and Cambuur (4-0). Their only blemish in the last five was a 1-2 loss to PSV, which came against a side currently second in the league. Ruben den Uil has his team compact defensively and direct going forward. David Garden and Aymen Sliti have contributed goals, and Irakli Yegoian is their most dynamic presence in the final third. Excelsior have scored ten goals and conceded three in four Eredivisie games, which is a strong early return for a side many expected to struggle.
Most Recent Head-to-Head Matches
| Statistic | Nijmegen | Excelsior |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 7 | 0 |
🚨Check out our dedicated Nijmegen vs Excelsior stats page for more info.
Pre-game Odds and Win Probability: Nijmegen the Favourite
- Moneyline Nijmegen 1.40 | Excelsior 6.50
- Draw 4.75
- Over/Under Over 2.5 | Under 2.5
- BTTS (both teams to score) Yes | No
The odds reflect a confident market lean toward Nijmegen, and to be honest, it is hard to argue. A price of around 1.40 for the home side in a fixture they have won 2-0 and 5-0 in their last two meetings is fair. The draw at 4.75 and Excelsior at 6.50 are priced out of the value range for a visiting side with real form, but Excelsior’s current league standing and recent results suggest they are not a 6.50 team right now. The BTTS market at “Yes” is the angle we find most interesting, given Excelsior’s scoring rate and Nijmegen’s defensive inconsistency.
Possible Starting Lineups
Nijmegen Possible Starting Eleven
- GK: Gonzalo Crettaz Ortega
- DF: Bram Nuytinck, Deveron Fonville, Almugera Kabar, Gabriel Bras
- MF: Tobias Storm, Noe Lebreton, Tjaronn Chery, Jamiro Monteiro
- FW: Clement Bischoff, Bryan Linssen
Schreuder has been consistent with a 4-3-3 shape, and the lineup above reflects the players with the most minutes across the last five matches. Gonzalo Crettaz Ortega starts in goal despite Nikolas Polster also featuring, with Crettaz Ortega logging more consistent playing time. Tobias Storm and Noe Lebreton anchor the midfield base, with Tjaronn Chery operating higher. Chery is the standout name here: three goals and an assist from midfield in five games makes him the most dangerous player in this squad. Dušan Tadić offers creativity from a deeper forward role and should not be overlooked despite his modest goal return.
Excelsior Possible Starting Eleven
- GK: Stijn van Gassel
- DF: Rick Meissen, Casper Widell, Simon Janssen, Giulliano Cairo
- MF: Jan Plug, Irakli Yegoian, Lennard Hartjes, Daniel van Vianen
- FW: David Garden, Aymen Sliti
Den Uil has also settled into a 4-3-3 structure. Stijn van Gassel is the first-choice goalkeeper and has been busy but reliable, making ten saves across three league appearances. Rick Meissen has scored from defence and provides an attacking outlet on the right. Irakli Yegoian is the key man in midfield, combining goals and assists with a high shot volume. David Garden leads the forward line and has contributed a goal in recent games. This is a well-organised unit that will look to stay compact and hit Nijmegen on the counter.
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Nijmegen. Source: Official Website
TipsGG Match Prediction
Nijmegen are the right side to back here. Their home record against Excelsior is perfect across the last two seasons, the aggregate score across those two games is 7-0, and they play in front of their own crowd at Stadion de Goffert. Excelsior’s form has been impressive, but their only real test came against PSV, where they lost. Nijmegen, even in their inconsistent run, have shown they can score goals and control games against mid-table and lower opposition.
We predict a Nijmegen win with both teams scoring. Excelsior’s attack has been too productive this season to be completely shut out, but Nijmegen’s forward line, led by Chery and supported by Bischoff, Linssen, and Tadić, should have enough to secure three points. The corner market over 8.5 also looks appealing given Nijmegen’s territorial dominance at home: they averaged 3.8 corners per game across their last five, and Excelsior’s defensive compactness often forces teams into wide play.
