Both coming into this clash after victories in their respective local derbies, Vitesse welcome SBV Excelsior to GelreDome on Saturday night in the Eredivisie just ahead of the season's second international break.
The hosts ended a poor run of form at the perfect moment to get the better of NEC in the Gelderland Derby last weekend, while Excelsior left it late to secure all three points against Sparta Rotterdam.
Match preview
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Following a run of five matches without collecting a point in the Eredivisie, there were audible grumbles of discontent from the Vitesse supporters ahead of the season's first Gelderland Derby, but their side produced the performance of the term to date to put one over their local rivals in Nijmegen on Sunday.
The hosts at Goffertstadion dominated possession in the first period but could only enter the break on level terms as Magnus Mattsson equalled the contest after Vitesse's Marco van Ginkel found the net, and in the second half late strikes from Dominik Oroz and Million Manhoef sealed only their second win of the campaign.
Phillip Cocu and his background staff celebrated wildly on enemy territory at the full-time whistle, and you feel the former Derby County man was starting to feel the pressure at the beginning of this season, following a run of one goal in five league outings before his men struck three times against their rivals.
A Gelderland Derby success was enough to lift the Arnhem-based club out of the relegation zone in the Eredivisie standings, with Vitesse now sitting in 13th after collecting a less-than-ideal six points from their opening seven league contests, although they find themselves above perennial title challengers Ajax, who are enduring a crisis.
Only Utrecht and RKC Waalwijk have managed to score on fewer occasions than Cocu's charges so far this term, and there will be considerable pressure on the likes of Van Ginkel and Bosnia Said Hamulic to fire the club away from any worries of relegation.
Excelsior's impressive start to the 2023-24 term continued last weekend, when the Rotterdam-based club recorded a success over their local rivals Sparta at Van Donge & De Roo Stadion, although the maximum was only secured in the closing stages of the hotly-contested match.
After a goalless first period, Sparta took the lead thanks to Jonathan de Guzman, but the hosts were able to complete a thrilling comeback in front of their home supporters courtesy of goals from Arthur Zagre and Tottenham Hotspur loanee Troy Parrott, who netted a 94th-minute winner to secure a memorable win.
Marinus Dijkhuizen's side disappointed at the beginning of September, losing their first match of the league season at Heracles before allowing newly-promoted Almere City to collect their maiden point in the top flight, but since that underwhelming stalemate in Rotterdam, Excelsior have recorded back-to-back victories.
The Wonder Oud are starting to bear the fruits of nurturing the attacking talent of Nikolas Agrafiotis, with the forward netting five goals in seven league matches so far this term after scoring two times in 17 appearances during the 2022-23 season - the 23-year-old is only one goal away from equalling his best-ever campaign in senior football.
Dijkhuizen's men are currently fifth in the Eredivisie standings after earning 12 points from seven matches, and following on from a 15th-placed finish last term in which they barely survived relegation to the second tier, Excelsior supporters will be hoping their side can compete for a place in Europe this time around.
Team News
Vitesse have been rocked by the news that PSV loanee Fode Fofana is set to miss the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign due to a serious knee injury sustained in the loss at FC Twente in late September - another setback for the 20-year-old in a young career which has been plagued by fitness issues.
Better injury news for Saturday's hosts arrives in their engine room, with midfielder Mathijs Tielemans available for selection once again following a period on the sidelines at the end of September, although Kacper Kozlowski and Melle Meulensteen should retain their places in the starting XI following the Gelderlander Derby victory last weekend.
Joel Persson has returned to first-team training after a spell on the sidelines, while attacker Thomas Buitink is expected to be out of action until the New Year because of a cruciate ligament injury.
Excelsior have struggled with keeping their loan players out of the medical room so far this term, with Feyenoord youngster Lennard Hartjes picking up a knee injury in the season opener against NEC on August 12 - the 20-year-old is a doubt for this Saturday.
The visitors are going to be without an experienced head in their attack in Arnhem, with 31-year-old Mike van Duinen yet to feature this term after sustaining a knock in August, meaning the likes of Agrafiotis and Couhaib Driouech will be tasked with firing in the goals.
Vitesse possible starting lineup:
Room; Arcus, Oroz, Hendriks, Pinto; Meulensteen, Kozlowski, Manhoef, Van Ginkel, De Regt; Hamulic
SBV Excelsior possible starting lineup:
Van Gassel; Horemans, Widell, Seymor, Zagre; Baas, Yaakoubi, Sandra; Fernandes, Driouech, Agrafiotis
We say: Vitesse 1-2 SBV Excelsior
Vitesse turned up their performance levels significantly in the second half to earn a win over local rivals NEC in the Gelderland Derby, but Cocu's side still have plenty of questions marks surrounding them ahead of Saturday's match.
Excelsior have started the campaign magnificently and should be confident of climbing further towards the summit of the Eredivisie with maximum points at GelreDome in this clash.
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Top tip
Carter White
