Excelsior vs Ajax Predictions

Excelsior conceded four goals for the second Eredivisie match on the run last weekend when they were beaten by Groningen, while this weekends opponents Ajax ran out 2-0 winners over Willem II. The visitors arrive in great form, but remain five points behind league leaders PSV and can’t afford to drop points in their pursuit for the Eredivisie title.

Despite having the home advantage against the divisions bottom club, Excelsior found themselves 2-0 down against Groningen thanks to goals from Mahi and Doan in the space of three minutes. Excelsior did manage to halve the deficit before the break with a thirty-sixth minute strike from Koolwijk, but just six minutes into the second half the visitors restored their two goal lead through Cassierra.

Excelsior had to score the next goal to stand any chance of getting anything out of the match, and did so via a fifty-ninth minute penalty from Bruins. With Groningen in the midst of a dreadful winless run there was always the potential for this game to slip through the visitors grasp, but Pohl’s seventy-fifth minute strike made it 4-2 and ended any hopes of a comeback for the hosts.

Bruins and Messaoud have both scored three goals each in the league for Groningen this season and that makes them the clubs joint top scorers heading into Sunday’s game. Ajax’s Serbian midfielder Tadić top scores for the Dutch giants with seven Eredivisie goals this season, but is closely followed by Huntelaar and Ziyech on six goals apiece.

Ajax completely controlled their home game against Willem II last weekend with 66% of the overall possession, five corners to their guests one, and eighteen shots during the ninety minutes compared to the three Willem II managed.

Dolberg opened the scoring in the eleventh minute for the hosts and when de Jong made it 2-0 in the twenty-second minute it looked like Willem II were going to be in for heavy defeat. Instead, the hosts took their foot off the gas and were wasteful in front of goal during the second forty-five and the game ended 2-0.

Ajax have a great record against Excelsior, only losing once against this particular opponent, and the hosts have to continue winning and hope that PSV slip up if they are to catch the current league leaders.

We’re confident that Ajax will win to nil away at Excelsior this Sunday, and have backed the visitors to claim a 3-0 victory. Excelsior have lost four of their last six matches in league and cup, while Ajax have won five of their last six matches. Four of the last six meetings between the two clubs have produced over 2.5 goals and Ajax have won four of their last six matches against Excelsior. Three of Excelsior’s and three of Ajax’s last six matches have produced over 2.5 goals. The visitors have kept five clean sheets in their last six matches and were expecting the Ajax defence to come out on top once again this weekend.