Match Report
The table read 9th (FC Groningen, 48 pts) against 13th (Excelsior, 38 pts), 10 points apart. Excelsior had been over-performing their table position on recent form: 3rd in the league over the last five rounds against 13th overall. Against a league average of 1.59 goals per team per game, FC Groningen ran at 1.44 scored and 1.32 conceded, Excelsior at 1.26 and 1.65.
The head-to-head ledger counts 19 games: 11 FC Groningen wins, 4 for Excelsior, 4 draws, at 2.58 goals per meeting. Historically tight: 32% of the meetings went beyond two goals.
The venue was Euroborg in Groningen, with room for 22,525 spectators. On the scoreboard, it was 1-1 at the break; 3 second-half goals set the final 2-3.
Goal scorers
FC Groningen: Tika de Jonge (3'), Younes Taha (47') · Excelsior: Casper Widell (40'), Derensili Sanches Fernandes (65'), Gyan de Regt (90')
Key stats
Possession: FC Groningen 56% · Excelsior 44% · Total shots: 12-18 · On target: 5-9 · Corners: 5-8