Excelsior Rotterdam

vs

AFC Ajax

Preview

Excelsior

• Excelsior Rotterdam sit 13th in the Eredivisie 2025-2026 standings with 22 points from 20 games.
• The home team come into this clash coming off the back of three straight ties.
• Ruben den Uil’s Excelsior side are a pragmatic, compact, low-to-mid block team who selectively press in certain areas of the field and like to get numbers back quickly to ensure they can strike on the counterattack.
• If Excelsior can keep things tight at the back and hit their opponents on the break, then they can certainly frustrate Ajax.

Ajax

• Ajax are third with 37 points from 20 games.
• Ajax have a far superior away record this season.
• Ajax have won 2 of their last 3 away matches.
• Ajax have scored 20 goals in 9 away Eredivisie games (W3, D5, L1).
• Ajax have won back-to-back games recently.
• Ajax will certainly have the majority of possession.

Head-to-Head

• Excelsior have failed to win their last 2 home matches against Ajax.
• Two months ago Excelsior beat Ajax 2-1 away, a shock result.

Key Players

• Excelsior
  • Noah Naujoks has been the in-form player for Excelsior with six Eredivisie goals in 17 games this season.
  • He has scored two of his team’s last six goals.
• Ajax
  • Youri Baas has scored three of their last seven goals.
  • Rayane Bounida has provided three assists in the same spell.
  • Mika Godts has been Ajax’s most consistent goal threat this term with eight goals in 18 Eredivisie appearances.

Betting Insights

• Ajax are the clear favorites to win this game at 1.78.
• Excelsior are 4.0 and the draw is 3.85.
• The Over 2.5 goals bet is available at 1.57.
• The difference in quality and Mika Godts' form make the Over 2.5 bet appealing.

Prediction

• Ajax to eventually outgun Excelsior.
• Expect Ajax to have the majority of possession while Excelsior aim to frustrate and hit on the counter, making the Over 2.5 goals option attractive.