Zwaluwen vs Excelsior Maassluis - Derde Divisie

A fascinating Derde Divisie chapter awaits on October 17, 2026 when Zwaluwen take on Excelsior Maassluis at the home ground — two sides with plenty to play for and everything to prove. Jorge Salinas is of interest to Manchester United(Image: 2024 Soccrates Images B.V.) United are one of several Premier League clubs weighing up whether to meet Bologna’s €25m (£21.7m) valuation for Jhon Lucumi, according to Corriere di Bologna.

Positionally there is a clear hierarchy: Zwaluwen sit 6th, Excelsior Maassluis lie 4th, but the Derde Divisie has a habit of defying such logic. Zwaluwen have been picking up results at a respectable clip, WWWLW over their last five with a season win rate of 55.56%. Excelsior Maassluis have made a habit of winning on the road, their WWWWW run backing up a remarkable season win rate of 66.67%. 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. On Wednesday night, Infantino was given the "full support" of FIFA's management board in a statement despite being forced to abandon his plan to sell stakes in a company to run the World Cup to private investors.

Tactically, the contest promises a fascinating contrast. Zwaluwen will look to impose their style on home soil, while Excelsior Maassluis are likely to have ideas of their own about how to gain the upper hand. In his press conference on Friday, Tuchel admitted it 'hurt him' not to play the United man in America.

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. The battle in midfield, where both sides look to control tempo, could prove the decisive arena. Their 2-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup featured breakout performances by 17-year-old striker Brian Madjo striker on debut and 19-year-old winger George Hemmings.

Predicting an outright winner is no easy task given how little separates the two sides on paper. Given the balance of the numbers, Excelsior Maassluis look capable of springing a surprise on the road — a 1-2 away victory is a distinct possibility. With positions in the Derde Divisie table to defend and momentum to chase, neither side can afford to leave anything in the tank. Harry Kane is the favourite to win the Ballon d’Or.