Heracles vs Excelsior - Eredivisie

Few would have predicted the narrative arc that brings Heracles and Excelsior together at the home ground on March 20, 2026, and the underdog storyline only adds to the Eredivisie occasion. Manchester City face the K-League All-Stars in Seoul on Wednesday as part of their pre-season tour of Asia.

Form and standings can only tell part of the story when Heracles and Excelsior cross paths in the Eredivisie, and pride alone should guarantee a contest. The hosts will be looking to find their rhythm and put a run of results together. Excelsior have travelled reasonably well, LDWWL over their last five with a season win rate of 50%. The position of goalkeeper is vital in Fantasy Premier League.

How the two sides approach the contest strategically will be key. Heracles will want to control proceedings in front of their own supporters, while Excelsior will back themselves to cause problems on the break. They are sticking to the principles of possession and pressing that have taken them from the fourth tier.

The fixture is likely to be shaped by its key performers, with creative midfielders and clinical finishers on both sides capable of turning the game in an instant. Discipline at the back and sharpness in front of goal will likely tilt the balance one way or the other. Carlos Baleba looks to be staying with Brighton(Image: PA) Manchester United are unlikely to pursue Carlos Baleba any further this summer as a result of the Brighton midfielder picking up an ankle ligament injury.

The market has yet to form a strong view, and the contest looks genuinely difficult to call. The signals point towards a stalemate, with the two sides closely matched across form and standings. A 2-2 draw is easy to envisage. With the standings tight and form on the line, this is a fixture neither side will want to lose. The Spaniard heading to Barca all but rules out a midfield departure from the Bernabeu and thus United will likely have to look elsewhere.