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

Excelsior host Utrecht in the Eredivisie on Sunday, 26 April 2026 at Stadion Woudestein, with the visitors chasing European qualification and the hosts trying to climb away from the relegation play-off place.

Utrecht have edged this fixture in recent years and won 4-1 in August 2025. They arrive in 7th, while Excelsior sit 16th in the relegation play-off spot.

Form points in opposite directions. Excelsior are winless in five league games, drawing at PEC Zwolle after defeats to NEC, Feyenoord and Heerenveen. Utrecht have won three of their last four, including away at FC Twente, and beat Telstar 4-1 last time out.

Team news could shape selection. Excelsior list Mathijs Tielemans, Stan Henderikx and Miliano Jonathans as injured. Utrecht are without Nick Viergever, Sebastian Haller, Michael Brouwer, Victor Jensen, Miguel Rodríguez, Oualid Agougil, Emirhan Demircan and Jaygo van Ommeren, reducing their forward options.

The visitors' numbers suggest a balanced platform: 49 league goals scored, 36 conceded, seven clean sheets and strong delivery from wide, with Souffian El Karouani among the league's top providers on 10 assists and Gjivai Zechiël on eight goals. Excelsior have 31 scored and 51 conceded, with Noah Naujoks on eight league goals. They may look to counter and attack early crosses, while Utrecht could target aerial situations and sustained pressure.

A home win would take Excelsior to 31 points and could ease the pressure in the relegation play-off place. Victory for Utrecht would move them to 47 points and strengthen their grip on the European qualification play-offs.