Ajax vs. SBV Excelsior: A Critical Look at Eredivisie Developments

Ajax, a team steeped in history, finds itself in an uncharacteristic predicament. Instead of dominating the Eredivisie, they’re fighting to stay in the top four. Saturday’s match against SBV Excelsior offers a chance to stabilize, but is it a guaranteed win? I doubt it.

Fred Grim is still in charge, after Erik ten Hag reportedly declined to return. The lack of a permanent coach only adds to the sense of unease surrounding the club. They went into the international break after a frustrating 2-1 defeat to FC Utrecht. Setbacks like this expose vulnerabilities and shake confidence, two things Ajax can ill afford right now.
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Look at the league table. Ajax is clinging to fourth place, with Utrecht and Groningen breathing down their necks. A loss this weekend could drop them out of the Europa League qualifying spots. The gap between them and league leaders PSV Eindhoven is already significant; a title challenge seems improbable at this stage. However, snagging second or third remains within reach.

The problem isn’t necessarily a lack of resilience. They’ve only lost two games – fewer than most teams. The real issue? Converting draws into wins. They need to get more aggressive. They need a killer instinct.

Consider their opponent, SBV Excelsior. On paper, Ajax should cruise to victory. However, both teams have pretty similar results recently. Excelsior’s historical record against Ajax is appalling. They haven’t won against them since 2007. That’s nearly two decades of disappointment.
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Ruben den Uil will attempt to break this 19-match winless streak. But history is just that, history. Every game is a new opportunity. Excelsior will try to draw inspiration from their two draws in the 2023-24 season, where they avoided relegation.

A win would be massive for Excelsior. It could lift them out of the relegation zone. Can they pull off an upset? It’s a long shot, but not impossible, especially if Ajax continues to falter.

It’s worth noting the injury situation. Wout Weghorst’s involvement is uncertain, which is a blow. Steven Berghuis and Branco van den Boomen are definitely out. On a brighter note, Mika Godts has been on a scoring streak. He’s definitely someone to watch.

Excelsior also has their injury woes. Ilias Bronkhorst’s early substitution in their last match suggests he’ll be sidelined, joining Simon Janssen and Lennard Hartjes. Gyan de Regt and Szymon Wlodarczyk are their main goal threats. But they need more players to step up.

The probable lineups suggest a strong Ajax attack, but questions remain about their defensive solidity. Excelsior will likely play defensively, hoping to hit Ajax on the counter-attack.

My prediction? Ajax will probably win, but it won’t be easy. I’m anticipating a 2-1 scoreline. Ajax needs this win to stop the rot and regain some momentum.

While Ajax’s home form at the beginning of the season compensated for away draws, their performances at home have dipped lately. Still, facing a struggling Excelsior should be a welcome relief. They need to make the most of this game to get back to winning ways.

Ultimately, this match isn’t just about three points. It’s about Ajax rediscovering its identity and proving they’re still a force to be reckoned with in the Eredivisie. If they don’t, they risk falling further behind and losing touch with the top of the table.

Keywords: Ajax, SBV Excelsior, Eredivisie, prediction, team news, lineups, football preview, Fred Grim, Erik ten Hag, Wout Weghorst, Mika Godts, Ruben den Uil.

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Keywords: Ajax, SBV Excelsior, Eredivisie, prediction, team news, lineups, Fred Grim, Mika Godts