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

With the sides currently neck and neck in the league table as things stand, Wednesday's clash has all the makings of an enthralling affair

Match preview

FC Twente suffered a first league loss of the 2022/23 Eredivisie campaign as they were beaten 1-0 by Volendam in Sunday's encounter at the Kras Stadion.

Ron Jans's men dominated proceedings for the majority of the contest but failed to find the breakthrough before a late Lequincio Zeefuik strike put the cat right amongst the pigeons.

The Tukkers have dropped to sixth in the league table, six points behind Ajax at the top of the standings albeit having played one game fewer.

On the horizon next is the challenge of an opposing outfit who have only lost one of the most recent eight encounters between the teams since 2014.

Ahead of back to back games against PSV Eindhoven and AZ Alkmaar, Wednesday's hosts will be looking to set the tone with a dominant display heading into a tough run of matches.

Excelsior were left red-faced in their clash against PSV Eindhoven on Sunday afternoon which ended in a 6-1 demolition for the Eredivisie new comers.

Marinus Dijkhuizen's men conceded two goals apiece to Ibrahim Sangare and Xavi Simons, while Joey Veerman and Cody Gakpo also got in on the act.

Nonetheless, The Kralingers are still seventh in the league table, behind their next opponents only on goal difference ahead of the encounter in Enschede.

Having recently picked up a first away win in five matches, Wednesday's visitors go in search of consecutive triumphs on the road for the first time in over three months.

FC Twente Eredivisie form:

FC Twente form (all competitions):

SBV Excelsior Eredivisie form:

SBV Excelsior form (all competitions):

Team News

Thijs van Leeuwen and Casper Staring are not available for FC Twente as they continue to battle with ankle and knee injuries respectively.

Julio Pleguezuelo is set to miss a third straight game with a muscle problem, but Wout Brama could finally make his return to action on Wednesday.

Excelsior's Nikolas Agrafiotis is expected to miss the game due to a muscle injury which has seen him miss each of the last eight matches on the bounce.

However, 28-year-old Michael Chacon is eligible to feature for the away side having served the last of a three-game suspension last time out.

FC Twente possible starting lineup:

Unnerstall; Smal, Hilgers, Propper, Brenet; Zerrouki, Sadilek; Rots, Vlap, Misidjan; Van Wolfswinkel

SBV Excelsior possible starting lineup:

Van Gassel; Horemans, Nieuwpoort, El Yaakoubi, Tjoe; Eijgenraam, Ayoub; Azarkan, Goudmijn, Driouech; Kharchouch

We say: FC Twente 2-1 SBV Excelsior

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