Sparta Rotterdam 2-3 Excelsior – Result & Analysis
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Poisson rates Sparta Rotterdam at 38% — the head-to-head data provides partial corroboration, though signals are mixed in this Sparta Rotterdam vs Excelsior encounter.
✍️ Match Preview
Full Analysis
Sparta Stadion Het Kasteel plays host to Sparta Rotterdam versus Excelsior in Eredivisie (matchday 34). Kick-off: Sunday 17 May 2026 at 14:30 UK time.
Form & Momentum
Sparta Rotterdam have collected 0.60 PPG across their last 10 games: 1W 3D 6L. Last five: D L L D L. They are averaging 0.80 goals per game and conceding 2.20 — a modest attacking output that tempers optimism on the Over 2.5 market. However, 2.20 goals conceded per game is a concern — opposing attacks have exploited them regularly. 2 clean sheets from 10 outings (20%).
Sparta Rotterdam's form when playing at home: 4W 4D 2L across their last 10 home games (1.60 PPG). At home they are averaging 1.20 goals scored and 1.00 conceded per game. 4 home clean sheets from their last 10 home games (40%) — a solid defensive base on their own ground. Their home PPG of 1.60 is noticeably stronger than their overall 0.60 — Sparta Rotterdam are significantly better at home than their overall form suggests.
Excelsior's record over their last 10 games: 2W 3D 5L (0.90 PPG). Last five: L D W W D. They are scoring at 1.50 per game and conceding 1.50. 1 clean sheet from 10 outings (10%). Both teams have scored in 70% of their games — a noteworthy BTTS rate that supports the Yes market.
Excelsior away from home: 3W 4D 3L from their last 10 away games — 1.30 PPG on the road. Away from home they average 1.40 goals scored and 1.60 conceded per game. Both teams have scored in 80% of their away matches — a high BTTS rate on the road that directly informs this fixture.
Neither side holds a meaningful form edge. The 0.60 vs 0.90 PPG split is negligible — model and market signals should carry more analytical weight for this one.
H2H History
The head-to-head record in our data favours Sparta Rotterdam, who have won 4 of the 5 H2H matches we hold against Excelsior — Excelsior have 1 win, with 0 draws.
The 5 H2H matches in our data have been high-scoring — 3.2 goals per game on average — which backs the Over 2.5 market from the head-to-head side. The most recent of those, on 14 Sep 2025, ended Sparta Rotterdam 1–0 Excelsior — a Sparta Rotterdam win.
From a betting standpoint, the H2H data backs both Sparta Rotterdam and goals — 4 wins from 5 H2H matches and an average of 3.2 goals per game give the home win and Over 2.5 combination a head-to-head case.
Trading
Sparta Rotterdam half-time and goal-timing data (last 67 games, 32 of them at home): at least one goal arrives before half-time in 78% of their matches in home games; when goalless at HT, a second-half goal follows 90% of the time; two or more arrive in the second half on 67% of those occasions; BTTS occurs in 53% of their matches (home games); Over 2.5 goals lands in 41% of games (home games).
Excelsior half-time and goal-timing data (last 67 games, 32 of them away): at least one goal arrives before half-time in 75% of their matches in away games; when goalless at HT, a second-half goal follows 82% of the time; of the 18 games they trailed at half-time, they recovered to draw or win 39%; BTTS occurs in 72% of their matches (away games); Over 2.5 goals lands in 69% of games (away games).
BTTS rates are mixed from the trading data — Sparta Rotterdam 51% versus Excelsior 58%; no strong lean in either direction. The over/under 2.5 picture is inconclusive from the in-play data (Sparta Rotterdam 46% | Excelsior 58%).
Poisson Model
The Poisson distribution model projects Sparta Rotterdam 1.50 xG and Excelsior 1.31 xG. These expected goals figures are the primary input: they feed a goal-probability matrix across all scoreline combinations to derive the result and market probabilities below. Underlying strength ratings: Sparta Rotterdam attack 0.815 / defence 0.992 | Excelsior attack 1.024 / defence 1.072. League average goals — home 1.714 / away 1.289. Data: built from Sparta Rotterdam's last 67 games and Excelsior's last 33.
Result probabilities: Sparta Rotterdam 38% | Draw 32% | Excelsior 30%. Fair-value odds: Sparta Rotterdam 2.62 | Draw 3.10 | Excelsior 3.37. This is a low-confidence result — no outcome reaches 45%. The draw at 32% is a primary outcome, not an afterthought.
Goals markets: Over 2.5 probability 53% | BTTS Yes probability 60% | Total xG 2.80. Over/Under 2.5 is close to a coin-flip at 53%/47% — the total xG of 2.80 sits near the 2.5 margin; this is a low-edge market from a Poisson standpoint. BTTS Yes at 60% — both xG figures (1.50 / 1.31) are high enough that each side is projected to find the net.
Final Verdict
Poisson rates Sparta Rotterdam as the most likely outcome at 38% — marginal model lean. The head-to-head data (Sparta Rotterdam 4 wins from 5 H2H matches) corroborates the Poisson lean — partial multi-source support. Draw probability of 32% warrants consideration of Double Chance or Draw No Bet on Sparta Rotterdam if the outright odds are short. The opposing side holds a 30% win probability per the model — this is not a banker and should be staked accordingly.
Poisson projects 2.80 total expected goals, pointing to Over 2.5 at 53% probability — reasonable conviction, supported by the H2H data averaging 3.2 goals per game across 5 H2H matches.
On the BTTS market, Poisson puts 60% on Yes. Form rates corroborate — both teams scored in: Sparta Rotterdam 40% (last 10 home games) | Excelsior 80% (last 10 away games).
🔮 Your Prediction
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💡 Key Insights
🏟️ Match Context
• Fixture: Sparta Rotterdam vs Excelsior | Competition: Eredivisie, matchday 34 | Venue: Sparta Stadion Het Kasteel • Kick-off: Sunday 17 May 2026 at 14:30 UK time • Data inputs: head-to-head data, recent form (overall and home/away), the Poisson prediction model and market pricing
📊 Statistical Prediction
• Poisson result probabilities: Sparta Rotterdam 38% | Draw 32% | Excelsior 30% • Poisson goal markets: Over 2.5 53% (Under 47%) | BTTS Yes 60% (No 40%) | xG Sparta Rotterdam 1.50 / Excelsior 1.31 • Poisson strength factors: Sparta Rotterdam attack 0.815 / def 0.992 | Excelsior attack 1.024 / def 1.072 | league avg home 1.714 / away 1.289 • Poisson stance: Sparta Rotterdam (38%) — low confidence — close contest
🧮 Prediction Model
1.50
Sparta Rotterdam xG
Expected Goals
1.31
Excelsior xG
60%
BTTS
81%
Over 1.5
53%
Over 2.5
31%
Over 3.5
Full score-by-score matrix & model internals in the "Full Poisson Detail" section below ↓
⚠️ This analysis is generated algorithmically from statistical data and is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute betting advice. Please gamble responsibly.
❓ Sparta Rotterdam vs Excelsior FAQs
What time does Sparta Rotterdam vs Excelsior kick off?
Sparta Rotterdam vs Excelsior kicked off at 14:30 UK time on Sunday 17 May 2026 at Sparta Stadion Het Kasteel.
What was the final score in Sparta Rotterdam vs Excelsior?
Sparta Rotterdam 2 - 3 Excelsior.
Where is Sparta Rotterdam vs Excelsior being played?
The match is being played at Sparta Stadion Het Kasteel.
What competition is Sparta Rotterdam vs Excelsior part of?
Sparta Rotterdam vs Excelsior is a Eredivisie fixture (matchday 34) (Netherlands).
Who is favourite to win Sparta Rotterdam vs Excelsior?
Our statistical model gives Sparta Rotterdam a 38% chance of winning, Excelsior a 30% chance, and a 32% chance of a draw — making Sparta Rotterdam the favourite.
Will both teams score in Sparta Rotterdam vs Excelsior?
Our model estimates a 60% probability that both Sparta Rotterdam and Excelsior will score, so it leans towards BTTS Yes.
Will Sparta Rotterdam vs Excelsior have over 2.5 goals?
Our model puts the probability of over 2.5 goals in this match at 53%, so it leans towards over 2.5 goals.
🧮 Model Insight
Behind the Numbers
The model rates Sparta Rotterdam's attack at 0.81x the league average against Excelsior's defence at 1.07x — combine the two and it projects 1.50 expected goals for the hosts. Flip it around — Excelsior's attack (1.02x) against Sparta Rotterdam's defence (0.99x) — and the away total comes out at 1.31.
These ratings are built from Sparta Rotterdam's last 67 games and Excelsior's last 33 — a full enough recent sample to trust.
Scoreline Breakdown
Of every possible scoreline, 1-1 carries the highest individual probability at 13.4% — still a long way from a near-certainty, which says something about how open this one is on paper. Close behind: 2-1 (8.9%), 1-2 (7.8%). Those top three scorelines alone account for 30% of the model's total probability mass — a relatively concentrated, predictable distribution for this fixture.
Most Likely Outcome
Sparta Rotterdam Win
38%
2.62
32%
3.10
30%
3.37
Top 3 Most Likely Scorelines
1 – 1
11.8%
Draw
Most likely
1 – 0
9.1%
Home win
2 – 1
8.9%
Home win
Expected Goals & Win Odds
1.50
Sparta Rotterdam xG
Total xG
2.80
1.31
Excelsior xG
2.62
38%
Home win
3.10
32%
Draw
3.37
30%
Away win
Goals Markets
77%
Over 1.5
1.30
23%
Under 1.5
4.35
53%
Over 2.5
1.89
47%
Under 2.5
2.13
31%
Over 3.5
3.23
69%
Under 3.5
1.45
15%
Over 4.5
6.67
85%
Under 4.5
1.18
Match Markets
Both Teams to Score
60%
BTTS Yes
1.66
40%
BTTS No
2.51
Clean Sheet
27%
3.70
22%
4.46
Win to Nil
10%
9.72
7%
15.05
Score Probability Matrix (%)
| H \ A | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 6.1 | 7.9 | 5.2 | 2.3 | 0.7 | 0.2 |
| 1 | 9.1 | 11.8 | 7.8 | 3.4 | 1.1 | 0.3 |
| 2 | 6.8 | 8.9 | 5.8 | 2.5 | 0.8 | 0.2 |
| 3 | 3.4 | 4.4 | 2.9 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 0.1 |
| 4 | 1.3 | 1.7 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 0.2 | – |
| 5 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.1 | – | – |
Green = home win · Grey = draw · Amber = away win · Outlined cell = most likely score
▶ Model Internals
❓ Sparta Rotterdam vs Excelsior Prediction FAQs
What is the most likely scoreline for Sparta Rotterdam vs Excelsior?
Our Poisson model rates 1-1 as the single most likely exact scoreline, at 13.4%.
How many goals are Sparta Rotterdam and Excelsior expected to score?
The model projects 1.50 expected goals for Sparta Rotterdam and 1.31 for Excelsior, a combined total of 2.80.
How confident is the prediction model for Sparta Rotterdam vs Excelsior?
Not very — the model's leading outcome sits at just 38%, meaning this is rated as a genuinely open contest with no dominant favourite.
📈 Form Insight
The Form Picture
Across their last 67 outings, Sparta Rotterdam have picked up 1.22 PPG on a 21W 19D 27L record — D-L-L-D-L across the most recent five.
Excelsior's form line: 29W 15D 23L from 67 games, 1.52 PPG, last five L-D-W-W-D.
There isn't much between them on recent form — 1.22 PPG for Sparta Rotterdam against 1.52 for Excelsior. Neither side arrives with a clear form advantage.
Home & Away Splits
On home soil, Sparta Rotterdam have posted 1.25 PPG from their last 32 home games (10W 10D 12L).
On the road, Excelsior have gone 11W 9D 12L from their last 32 away games — 1.31 PPG when travelling.
Scoring & Defensive Trends
Sparta Rotterdam are averaging 1.15 goals scored and 1.52 conceded per game recently; Excelsior are on 1.55 scored and 1.30 conceded.
Last 67 Results
Current season: same league only · Previous season: all leagues (covers promoted/relegated teams)
Sparta Rotterdam
Current Season
Excelsior
Current Season
Sparta Rotterdam (Home) vs Excelsior (Away)
Home games only for the home side · Away games only for the away side
Sparta Rotterdam
Current Season
Excelsior
Current Season
❓ Sparta Rotterdam vs Excelsior Form FAQs
What form are Sparta Rotterdam and Excelsior in coming into this match?
Sparta Rotterdam have gone 21W 19D 27L in their last 67 games (1.22 PPG), while Excelsior have gone 29W 15D 23L in their last 67 (1.52 PPG).
Which team has the better venue record — Sparta Rotterdam at home or Excelsior away?
Excelsior's away record (1.31 PPG) is the stronger of the two venue-specific splits — Sparta Rotterdam at home: 1.25 PPG; Excelsior away: 1.31 PPG.
⚔️ Rivalry Insight
History of the Fixture
We have 7 H2H matches between these sides on record, dating back to January 2023 — enough to show some patterns. All of them came in Eredivisie. The most recent was as recently as 29 August 2026, so it is a fresh reference point.
Records & Recent Trends
Excelsior have won the most recent 2 H2H matches in our data — the current momentum in this pairing sits with them.
For context on how one-sided this fixture can get: Sparta Rotterdam won Excelsior 1-4 Sparta Rotterdam on 5 Mar 2023, the biggest margin in the H2H matches we hold.
Specifically as hosts in this fixture, Sparta Rotterdam have gone 2W 0D 1L from the 3 H2H matches in our data played on their own ground against Excelsior — worth weighing alongside the overall series record.
Last 7 Meetings
4
Sparta Rotterdam
0
Draws
3
Excelsior
Recent Meetings
❓ Sparta Rotterdam vs Excelsior H2H FAQs
What is the head-to-head record between Sparta Rotterdam and Excelsior?
Across the 7 head-to-head matches in our data, Sparta Rotterdam have won 4, Excelsior have won 3, and 0 have been drawn.
When did Sparta Rotterdam and Excelsior last play each other?
The most recent meeting in our data was on 29 August 2026: Excelsior 2-1 Sparta Rotterdam.
Who has won more matches between Sparta Rotterdam and Excelsior?
Sparta Rotterdam have the better head-to-head record, with 4 wins from the 7 head-to-head matches in our data.
📈 Trading Insight
How These Sides Start
Sparta Rotterdam are typically involved in an early goal — the half-time board shows at least one in 78% of their matches. They've gone in front at half-time 34% of the time, though they've let that lead slip 27% of the time they've held it — worth watching if they're only ahead by one. They've also shown some fight from behind, salvaging a draw or win after trailing at half-time in 11% of those situations.
Excelsior are typically involved in an early goal — the half-time board shows at least one in 75% of their matches. They've gone in front at half-time 28% of the time, though they've let that lead slip 33% of the time they've held it — worth watching if they're only ahead by one. They've also shown some fight from behind, salvaging a draw or win after trailing at half-time in 33% of those situations.
Goals & Clean Sheets
BTTS sits in mixed territory for this pairing — Sparta Rotterdam 53%, Excelsior 72% — no strong lean either way from the trading data alone.
Over 2.5 has been close to a coin-flip for both sides — 41% (Sparta Rotterdam) and 69% (Excelsior).
Current season: same league only. Previous season: all leagues (covers promoted/relegated teams). All = any venue | Venue = Sparta Rotterdam home games / Excelsior away games. HT metrics require half-time score data — shown as — where unavailable.
❓ Sparta Rotterdam vs Excelsior Trading FAQs
Do both teams usually score in Sparta Rotterdam and Excelsior matches?
Yes — based on recent matches, both teams have scored in 53% of Sparta Rotterdam's games and 72% of Excelsior's, a combined rate that favours BTTS Yes.
Are Sparta Rotterdam and Excelsior matches usually high-scoring?
Not particularly — Over 2.5 goals has come in for only 41% of Sparta Rotterdam's recent games and 69% of Excelsior's, pointing to a tighter contest.
Do Sparta Rotterdam and Excelsior matches tend to have early goals?
There has been at least one first-half goal in 78% of Sparta Rotterdam's recent matches and 75% of Excelsior's — a useful reference point for first-half goal markets.
Shock result as Excelsior defy the odds to beat Sparta Rotterdam 2-3.
📝 Match Report
How It Unfolded
Excelsior beat Sparta Rotterdam 2-3 at Sparta Stadion Het Kasteel, Regular Season - 34, in the Eredivisie. That is the final score; the rest of this report grades it against what the data forecast beforehand.
The Model vs The Result
The Poisson model went into this projecting Sparta Rotterdam 1.50 xG and Excelsior 1.31 xG, a combined 2.80. The scoreboard read 2-3 for 5 actual goals. Excelsior outscored their 1.31 projection by 1.7. Those figures were built on strength ratings of Sparta Rotterdam attack 0.81 / defence 0.99 against Excelsior attack 1.02 / defence 1.07, drawn from 67/33 games (CurrentSeason).
On the result, the model split it Sparta Rotterdam 38% | Draw 32% | Excelsior 30%, with Sparta Rotterdam to win its most likely call at 38%. The actual Excelsior win had been the model's second-ranked read at 30%, so the result diverged from the top call without being a shock.
Goals & Markets
The model rated Over 2.5 goals at 53%. The game delivered 5, so it went over — the model's lean was correct. Over 1.5 had been 81% and landed. Over 3.5 was 31% and came in. On both teams to score, the model sat at 60% and the match saw both sides score — another call in the model's favour. Historically the two sides average 52% Over 2.5 across their same-competition games (Sparta Rotterdam 46%, Excelsior 58%), a base rate that agreed with today's over. Their combined BTTS history runs at 54%, which matched the both-scored outcome.
Trading Patterns vs Reality
Sparta Rotterdam's trading profile (67 games, 32 home) set some clear expectations: BTTS lands in 51% of their matches — today it did.
Excelsior's trading profile (67 games, 32 away) set some clear expectations: BTTS lands in 58% of their matches — today it did.
Form vs Result
The form lines were close — Sparta Rotterdam 1.22 PPG, Excelsior 1.52 PPG — offering no strong steer, and the Excelsior win broke the near-deadlock. Sparta Rotterdam (home/away splits) shipped 3 against a 1.50 concession average — a leakier day than usual. Excelsior (home/away splits) scored 3 against a 1.44 average — above their attacking norm.
Verdict
Grading the result against the stored data, 2 of 3 pre-match signals came in: result (miss), Over 2.5 (hit), BTTS (hit). A mixed scorecard — the data caught the broad shape of the game but not every market.
💡 Key Insights
⚠️ This match report is generated algorithmically from the final score, our prediction model, and each team's historical form and trading data. Analysis is for informational purposes only.
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