Possible nail-biting contest in Excelsior Virton - Dender game

For Excelsior relegation is already certain this season. Only divine intervention and/or time travel can save them and neither look likely. Dender are nearing the end of this stay in this division as relegation is now unavoidable.

It’s busy days for these teams as both were in action only a few days ago. There’s no rest for the wicked, or in this case; no rest for Excelsior Virton and Dender.

Excelsior Virton form and stats

The home fans haven’t been spoiled with victories in the Challenger Pro League this season. Excelsior Virton have only managed 0 wins, 5 draws and 6 losses from their games here at Stade Yvan Georges. We have seen two home losses in a row now for Excelsior Virton, who are hoping that the phrase “third time lucky” applies to them.

Excelsior are anxiously hoping for a goal as it's been 202 minutes since the last one in league fixtures. (Scored by Anne).

The Excelsior Virton supporters got no joy from their last match, also played here at Stade Yvan Georges: A 0-1 defeat against Dender. Some supporters pointed their nail-bitten fingers at Mboyo for missing a penalty kick versus Dender in the 27th minute. It's possible that a goal in that situation would have changed the outcome.

The bookmakers consider this a fairly even contest. One could say only the home advantage separates the teams. It could be relevant to look at how Excelsior Virton have performed in matches similar to this (as small favourites). Our database has found 9 matches with the results: Won 0, drawn 4 and lost 5.

The goals haven't exactly been flowing for Excelsior here at Stade Yvan Georges in the league, with less than one goal per game on average (7 from 11 games). Excelsior Virton have conceded 15 in these home matches. Excelsior has at home met teams with this table position (low), three times. It has ended with less than 2.5 goals 3 of 3 times.

Dender form and stats

3-4-4 is the win-draw-loss statistic for Dender in their Challenger Pro League matches away. It could be a hat trick of victories away for Dender, as they have won on their previous two travels.

Did you know that the longest clean sheet streak is 1816 minutes? This record is held by Mazaropi when he played in Vasco da Gama. Dender goalkeeper Xavier Gies is eager to challenge this, with his 270 minutes of keeping balls out from the net.

It's the second away game in a row for Dender, but there's smiles all around after the 1-0 victory versus Excelsior Virton last time out. Rajsel came off the bench to score the winning goal in the match against Excelsior Virton last time out, making the manager Simons feel like a tactical genius.

So, this is expected to be a close game, an even contest. Looking at earlier matches with Dender playing away and similar expectations, we found 8 relevant matches. Results were 3 Dender wins, 4 draws and 1 defeat.

Scoring goals is the main ingredient in creating success in football, and not only at home. So far Dender have scored 14 goals in 11 league games away. Dender have conceded 16 goals in these away matches. There's been improvement defensively lately, as only 1 of these goals has been conceded in their last three away matches.

Head 2 Head

Excelsior Virton - Dender 0-1 was the result in these teams' latest head-to-head fixture, played this season. The match official showed his red card when these teams last played each other, and the sinner was Aguemon (Excelsior Virton). H2H stats regardless of arena (last ten matches): Excelsior three wins, one draw and Dender six victories. As for goals, four matches ended with three or more goals (over 2,5), six games had two or less.

Top Goalscorers

S. Anne 8 goals

N. Rajsel 5 goals

T. Cukur 5 goals

Excelsior Virton missing players

Dender missing players