VV Scherpenzeel vs Excelsior '31 - Derde Divisie

The Derde Divisie returns to the home ground on September 5, 2026, where VV Scherpenzeel and Excelsior '31 will lock horns in a contest that could shape their respective campaigns. That coronation came from City's £116m summer signing Elliot Anderson - and has been hotly debated in the build-up to the Manchester derby Super Sunday showdown at Old Trafford, which you can watch live on Sky Sports.

The standings add context to the occasion — VV Scherpenzeel occupying 4th, Excelsior '31 perched in 5th — and the gap between them shapes the narrative. It has been a dominant campaign for the hosts, WWWWL over their last five and a win rate of 80% that few in the Derde Divisie can match. Excelsior '31 have made a habit of winning on the road, their D run backing up a remarkable season win rate of 60%. One side has leaned on a miserly defence, the other on a free-scoring attack, and the meeting of those contrasting strengths promises an intriguing tactical subtext. During his 22 matches in charge, Oxford actually ranked as high as 14th in the table.

How the two sides approach the contest strategically will be key. VV Scherpenzeel will want to control proceedings in front of their own supporters, while Excelsior '31 will back themselves to cause problems on the break. After the loss, a lot of questions began to be raised about their different approach to preparing for the game.

Neither side is short on individuals capable of tilting the balance, and the duel between the two squads' chief creators could prove particularly pivotal. How each side deals with the other's danger men — and who takes their chances when they come — will be central to the outcome. Mikel Arteta has prioritised another versatile defender following injury problems involving William Saliba and Jurriën Timber.

The fixture has the feel of a coin-flip, and picking a winner with any conviction would require a braver pundit than most. The weight of evidence points to VV Scherpenzeel, and a 4-3 win for the hosts feels like the most probable outcome. The ramifications of this result could ripple through the Derde Divisie standings for weeks to come, regardless of who comes out on top. The 22-year-old was likely quite high up on the list of United's midfield targets and potentially even higher after Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga blows.