Preview: Excelsior Hosts Telstar in Eredivisie Clash

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands (Interstat) — A closely contested Eredivisie match is expected Saturday when Excelsior hosts Telstar at Van Donge & De Roo Stadium.

The matchup, set for Jan. 17, 2026, is a replay of a 2-2 draw from Nov. 1. That result is part of a pattern for Telstar, which has drawn five of its last ten league games. The visitors are coming off a narrow 3-2 defeat to powerhouse Ajax last Sunday.

Excelsior seeks to rebound from a heavy 5-1 loss to PSV in its last outing. Prior to that, the Rotterdam-based club showed resilience, including a notable 2-1 victory over Ajax in November.

Recent form favors the hosts. Excelsior has won three of its last five Eredivisie matches. Telstar has only one win in that same span, a 1-0 victory over NAC Breda on Dec. 20, though it has proven difficult to beat outright with recent draws against NEC and Utrecht.

A statistical projection from Interstat forecasts a 2-1 victory for Excelsior.

The game carries weight for both sides looking to consolidate mid-table positioning ahead of demanding schedules. Telstar faces a tough stretch after this match, with upcoming fixtures against AZ, Twente and Feyenoord. Excelsior’s next month includes trips to AZ and Twente, followed by a home match against Ajax.

Key players will need to step up for Telstar to improve its away form, while Excelsior will aim to leverage home advantage and find the defensive solidity that was absent against PSV.

Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. local time (1900 GMT).