FC Twente v Excelsior: play-off push meets survival fight | OneFootball

FC Twente host Excelsior in the Eredivisie on Saturday, 24 January 2026 in Enschede, with the home side chasing European play-off spots and the visitors looking to keep daylight between themselves and the relegation places.

The reverse fixture in August went Excelsior's way, a 1-0 win, but FC Twente have steadied since, drawing at Feyenoord, sharing points with PEC Zwolle and then winning at Heracles. Excelsior arrive on the back of two league draws after a heavy defeat at PSV.

John van den Brom will be without Bart van Rooij and Ramiz Zerrouki through suspension, while Mees Hilgers is injured. That trims options in defence and midfield for the hosts.

Across the season, FC Twente have scored 29 and conceded 22, with more of the ball on average and sharper passing than most (55% possession, 81.61% accuracy). They also deliver with width, posting a 24.69% cross accuracy from open play, which could test an Excelsior back line that has shipped 35 goals. Ricky van Wolfswinkel leads the hosts with seven league goals, while Noah Naujoks has six for the visitors. If the game brings a spot kick, FC Twente have converted all seven penalties this season, and Excelsior have conceded four.

FC Twente start the weekend sixth on 29 points and a win would strengthen their play-off push and could lift them further up the table. Excelsior sit 14th on 21 points. Any positive result would ease relegation pressure, while defeat may drag them closer to the drop zone.