Excelsior plays a crucial Rotterdam derby against Sparta in the Eredivisie on Sunday. The team of coach Marinus Dijkhuizen will have to do without Arno Verschueren, who is suspended for the match. Jonathan de Guzman is also still injured, but Younes Namli is returning from injury. Excelsior cannot match the performances of their city rivals from Spangen this season, but they always seem to rise to the occasion in matches against Sparta. The last time both teams met in the Eredivisie was in 2018, but for the last official Sparta win, we have to go back even further: that was in 2007. Earlier this week, Excelsior was eliminated from the cup tournament by losing 1-4 to AZ. Peer Koopmeiners made his debut for De Kralingers in that match against his former club and against Sparta, the loan player can make his first Eredivisie minutes for Excelsior. Tobias Lauritsen scored four times in his last seven official matches for Sparta. Julian Baas gave two assists in his last four appearances in the Eredivisie. Excelsior is unbeaten in the last twelve official matches against Sparta. The match between Excelsior and Sparta starts on Sunday at 14.30 in the Stadion Woudestein. Excelsior's team will have to try to take advantage of Sparta's weak period, which has not been performing well lately. With a win, Excelsior can give themselves a good position in the Eredivisie.