On the 15th of December, Excelsior plays host to FC Groningen in a clash of the KNVB Beker. The game day is forecasted to be a cloudy and cool day, with daytime temperatures of only 7 degrees, making for an unpleasant day. In their last match, Excelsior recorded a 2-1 win against MVV Maastricht. Thijs Dallinga scored the first goal for Excelsior in the 21st minute, then Thijs Dallinga added another in the 50th minute on a feed from Horemans. Excelsior is on a hot streak lately, with 8 wins in their last 10 matches, while in their last match, FC Groningen recorded a 1-1 draw against PEC Zwolle. Mees De Wit scored the first goal for PEC Zwolle in the 14th minute, then Thomas van den Belt tied it up for FC Groningen on an own goal in the 75th minute squeezing out at least the one point for FC Groningen. FC Groningen is looking for direction having earned 13 points in their last 10 matches.
These two teams have not yet played each other this season.
Jörgen Strand Larsen has been the most prolific scorer on FC Groningen in the last 5 matches with three goals. Excelsior is fortunate enough to have Thijs Dallinga in top form. In the last five matches the attacker has scored 8 goals.