Excelsior will face Ajax in the Eredivisie on Saturday, September 19 at the Johan Cruijff ArenA, with kick-off scheduled for 6:00 PM. The match comes as the Rotterdam side sits seventh in the table with six points from three games, according to the latest standings.
What does Ajax's form mean for Excelsior?
Ajax enters with confidence from a string of European victories. The Amsterdam side came from behind to beat Borussia Dortmund 4-0 in the Champions League and also defeated Besiktas and Sporting CP. Manager Erik ten Hag expressed pride after that performance. The arrivals of goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, albeit delayed, and midfielder Julian Brandt further strengthen the squad. Additionally, beIN Sports reports Ajax is preparing one more blockbuster signing. For Excelsior, who have scored seven and conceded three this season, the trip to Amsterdam presents a major challenge.
What other developments are happening at Ajax?
Beyond new signings, Ajax has faced adversity. Youth player Noah Gesser died in a car accident. Goalkeeper André Onana survived a serious crash but later received a 12-month doping ban. The club failed to include a record-signing in their Europa League squad. Coronavirus cases were also confirmed within the club. Director of football Marc Overmars stated interest in Donny van de Beek was 'pretty quiet' and a move for Luis Suarez was unlikely, despite rumors of a swap deal. Ajax had already accepted that Van de Beek and Nicolás Tagliafico could leave.
How is Excelsior positioned for this match?
Excelsior has started the season with mixed results and a recent form of WLW. With six points, they trail leaders AZ Alkmaar by six points. The team must prepare for an Ajax side that may be even stronger after the international break. The immediate lead-up to this fixture is an away match against Willem II on September 5, a team currently in 16th place. Fans can follow the buildup on our fixtures page. The defense, which has conceded three goals so far, will be severely tested against an Ajax attack that has shown its scoring prowess in Europe multiple times.
What happened in previous meetings and in Europe?
Ajax recorded impressive results in Europe, boosting their confidence for domestic play. Besides the 4-0 win over Dortmund, they defeated Galatasaray, a team featuring Victor Osimhen, in the Europa League. Against Napoli, managed by Luciano Spalletti, they suffered a loss in the Champions League. Incidents also occurred; there was blood on the pitch after an object was thrown during a European match. For Excelsior, the focus is entirely on the Eredivisie. The club will need to rely on teamwork and organization to take points at the ArenA, where Ajax is typically strong.
The coming weeks are important for Excelsior to consolidate their position in the mid-table. After facing Ajax and Willem II, it will become clear if the team can turn a strong start into consistency. The statistics are available on our stats page. The six-point gap to the top spot highlights the competitiveness of the league this season, where every point counts.
