Excelsior vs Ajax prediction: NETHERLANDS: Eredivisie betting tips on match 2023-08-18 14:30.
Excelsior Rotterdam can and should look back on last weekend’s opening round with a great deal of pride. In a game in which almost every genuine attempt on goal found the net, the Kralingers emerged victorious 4-3 as rank outsiders against NEC Nijmegen. Perhaps even more remarkable than the gulf between the total goals (seven) and expected goals (1.74) was that Excelsior have already matched the number of wins they collected as a visiting outsider in the previous Eredivisie season (W1, D3, L13)!
Plenty of goals are expected again when they host Ajax Amsterdam this weekend, not least because that has recently been the case when this particular matchup takes place. Excelsior have seen a total of 24 goals against them just from their last four games against Ajax, but have kept the Ajax defence honest in return by scoring themselves in each of the last seven head-to-heads.
Ajax may still be busy on the transfer scene and reinforcements could be particularly handy as they approach a slate of four games in two and a half weeks that includes a two-legged Europa League qualifier against Bulgaria’s Ludogorets. Changes from manager Maurice Steijn are anticipated this week, particularly in the defensive unit even though Jakov Medic had an honourable debut that included a long distance equaliser.
Steven Bergwijn got his name on the scoresheet twice in his first competitive game as captain, which was a comfortable 4-1 win at home to newcomers Heracles Almelo. After they fielded a front three last week, there remains discussion and debate about who should take the central position this week as Steven Berghuis remains suspended. Last week Steijn selected Kenneth Taylor as the starting number ten and Davy Klaassen as his replacement, but 18-year-old Gabriel Misehouy remains in the mix for a first team debut after some impressive outings for reserves team Jong Ajax.
Players to watch: 19-year-old Richie Omorrowa could receive some more time on the pitch after registering a goal and an assist off the bench on debut for Excelsior last week. Looking further back, Ajax’s Mohammed Kudus has found the back of the net in each of his two Eredivisie games against Excelsior.
Hot stat: Ajax have won all but one of their last 15 games against Excelsior, with the exception in March 2017 (1-1).