Two teams who could really do with a victory will face off at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Saturday evening as Ajax play host to Excelsior.
The home side will be keen to avoid losing further ground on teams in the hunt for the title, while the visitors are seeking to climb out of the relegation zone.
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Ajax vs Excelsior prediction: Ajax to get back on track
Key stats
- Ajax are without a victory in three matches since coming back from a goal down to beat FC Twente 3-2 on October 26.
- A lack of defensive solidity has been a major letdown for de Godenzonen, who have now gone 13 games across all competitions without a clean sheet.
- Excelsior, on the other hand, will head to Amsterdam aiming to pick up a first win in five matches.
Correct score prediction: Ajax 3-1 Excelsior
Shutouts have been few and far between for both teams, and it is unlikely that either of them will come away from this weekend's clash unscathed.
That said, we are strongly backing Ajax to emerge triumphant and secure a timely return to winning ways on home turf.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Excelsior up against it
- HOME: 4/11 (1.36) – 73.3%
- DRAW: 9/2 (5.50) – 18.2%
- AWAY: 6/1 (7.00) – 14.3%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Despite not being in top form, Ajax are undoubtedly the bookies' favourites to emerge triumphant with a home victory, currently priced at 4/11 (1.36) at a win probability of 73.3%.
Fred Grim's men were unable to hand their interim boss a winning start to life at the helm of affairs as they fell to a 2-1 defeat against Utrecht last time out.
Having won only one of their six away league matches and conceded the third-most goals on the road of any Eredivisie team, Excelsior have it all to do this weekend, and their measly 14.3% chance of winning suggests a tough assignment is on the cards.
For more from the upcoming matches, today’s free football betting tips look at some of the best picks.
Most recent H2Hs: Ajax unbeaten in nine
A pair of 2-2 draws when the sides last met in the 2023-24 season saw Exclesior snap a six-game losing streak, but also extended their wait for a first win since 2017.
Still, Excelsior have managed to score in each of the last 10 meetings against Ajax, although they have now gone 19 games against Saturday's opponents without a clean sheet.
Netherlands Eredivisie 24/04/24
Ajax
Excelsior
Netherlands Eredivisie 19/08/23
Excelsior
Ajax
Netherlands Eredivisie 29/01/23
Excelsior
Ajax
Netherlands Eredivisie 16/10/22
Ajax
Excelsior
Netherlands Eredivisie 13/04/19
Ajax
Excelsior
Ajax preview: Leading scorer Wout Weghorst a potential absentee
Weghorst has only sat out one of Ajax's 12 league matches so far, but that could be about to change with the Dutchman currently nursing a knock.
Alongside Weghorst, Steven Berghuis is also a doubt as he steps up his recovery from a groin issue, but Branco van den Boomen is sure to miss out.
Predicted lineup: Pasveer(GK), Rosa, Itakura, Baas, Alders, Regeer, Taylor, Moro, Gloukh, Godts & Dolberg
Ajax's last five matches:
- Utrecht 2-1 Ajax (Eredivisie)
- Ajax 0-3 Galatasaray (Champions League)
- Ajax 1-1 Heerenveen (Eredivisie)
- Twente 2-3 Ajax (Eredivisie)
- Cheelsea 5-1 Ajax (Eredivisie)
Excelsior preview: Lennard Hartjes still waiting for season debut
After making 21 league appearances for Excelsior last time out, Hartjes has been unable to feature for his side this term due to a knee problem he picked up earlier this year.
Joined by fellow compatriots Ilias Bronkhorst and Simon Janssen, Hartjes is one of three Dutchmen currently unavailable for the visitors, who are also without Zach Booth.
Predicted lineup: Kovar(GK), Salah-Eddine, Gasiorowski, Schouten, Dest, Veerman, Mauro, Perisic, Saibari, Man & Til
Excelsior's last five matches:
- Excelsior 1-2 Heracles (Eredivisie)
- Telstar 2-2 Excelsior (Eredivisie)
- Exceelsior Maassluis 1-0 Excelsior (KNVB Beker)
- Go Ahead Eagles 2-0 Excelsior (Eredivisie)
- Excelsior 1-0 Fortuna (Eredivisie)
Player to watch – Mika Godts
Following his consolation strike against Utrecht, Godts has already scored more league goals this campaign (five) than he did in the entire last season (four).
The 20-year-old currently leads the way in terms of direct goal contributions for his side despite missing two games through injury back in August.
Godts was on target in Ajax's most recent home league outing against Heerenveen and is definitely one to look out for here.