Ajax vs SBV Excelsior: Prediction, Team News & Lineups | 19 September 2026

Ajax’s scoring surge meets a recent bogey opponent. For Ajax against SBV Excelsior, the key is which side recognises the next available lane before the opponent can recover.

Goal.mu prediction: Ajax 3-1 SBV Excelsior

Match details

• Fixture: Ajax vs SBV Excelsior
• Competition: Eredivisie
• Date: Saturday, September 19
• Venue: Johan Cruyff Arena

Ten goals in two games has changed the title mood

Ajax could end gameweek seven top of the Eredivisie table if they beat SBV Excelsior at the Johan Cruyff Arena and results elsewhere go in their favour.

How Ajax Can Build Pressure

Ajax need to move the first line before forcing a forward pass. If Klaassen, Mokio, Brandt can receive facing the opposition goal, the home attack can begin against a block that is already shifting.

That gives Berghuis, Arokodare, Gloukh better positions and reduces the need for hopeful deliveries.

Excelsior’s defensive platform deserves respect

Michel 's team have bounced back from their De Topper defeat with a pair of smashing 5-1 wins over Fortuna Sittard and Willem II, giving them the momentum ahead of Saturday's visit of sixth-placed Excelsior.

How SBV Excelsior Can Escape the Press

SBV Excelsior need a clean first action after regaining possession. Yegoian, Meissen, Hartjes must decide whether to play early towards Sliti, Garden, Thorsteinsson or hold the ball until support arrives.

For Ajax against SBV Excelsior, the key is which side recognises the next available lane before the opponent can recover.

When Ajax lost to PSV Eindhoven a fortnight back, they risked falling adrift in the title race, even at this early stage of the season.

Why Ajax must avoid complacency

Since that 3-1 loss, though, Michel's troops have responded resoundingly by scoring 10 Eredivisie goals across two games, hitting in-form Fortuna for five and beating winless Willem II 5-1 in their rescheduled gameweek three fixture to put them back on track.

The Defensive Line Behind Ajax's Pressure

The likely home defensive unit of Gaaei, Kehrer, Baas, Henrique has to stay connected to midfield. If the gap opens, SBV Excelsior can receive between the lines and run at retreating defenders.

Both results have catapulted De Joden to fourth place in the table, with the Amsterdam heavyweights just three points off PSV and AZ Alkmaar on 16 points, while Feyenoord in third are one point better off.

Team news and predicted selections

That leaves the Lancers in a promising position to pounce on any mistakes from the teams above them, as they look to rise into the top three spots sooner or later.

Aaron Bouwman remains absent due to a bruised lung following Ruben van Bommel's ferocious challenge in De Topper, leaving the defender absent for matchday seven, while Daley Blind and Simon Adingra (ankle) are also sidelined.

Kasper Dolberg assisted two and scored one in the rescheduled win over Willem II, leaving Michel with a Tolu Arokodare or Dolberg decision to make.

Oscar Gloukh has contributed to three goals in the last two games, while Julian Brandt has netted in consecutive games, highlighting the in-form Ajax players at Michel's disposal.

For the visitors, David Garden , Irakli Yegoian and Aymen Sliti have been involved in nine goals among them across the last five matches, giving the Rotterdam side hope of extending their unbeaten run against Ajax.

While there are no certain absentees for Excelsior, Noah Naujoks, who has not played since notching a brace on matchday one, is touch-and-go for the weekend.

Ter Stegen; Gaaei, Kehrer, Baas, Henrique; Klaassen, Mokio, Brandt; Berghuis, Arokodare, Gloukh

Predicted lineups

However, they face the unusual challenge of winning three league games in a row, a feat not achieved since December 2025, when they notched a pair of 2-0 wins over Groningen and defeated Fortuna Sittard 3-1 before Christmas.

Ajax predicted XI: Ter Stegen; Gaaei, Kehrer, Baas, Henrique; Klaassen, Mokio, Brandt; Berghuis, Arokodare, Gloukh.

SBV Excelsior predicted XI: Van Gassel; Moreira, Widell, Plug, Janssen; Yegoian, Meissen, Hartjes; Sliti, Garden, Thorsteinsson.

Gloukh and Brandt between the lines

The partisan support in the Johan Cruyff Arena will back their free-scoring side to secure their fifth league win this term, even though observant fans will be aware of Ajax's four-match winless run in this fixture.

How Moreira, Widell, Plug, Janssen Can Survive Sustained Pressure

The projected visiting defence of Moreira, Widell, Plug, Janssen may face long spells without the ball. For Ajax against SBV Excelsior, the key is which side recognises the next available lane before the opponent can recover.

SBV Excelsior also need to organise around the second phase so one half-clearance does not become an even cleaner chance.

Excelsior had fallen to six consecutive defeats to Ajax and were winless in this fixture for 18 years prior to the ongoing sequence of results.

Excelsior’s unbeaten run in the fixture

Since holding De Joden to a 2-2 draw in August 2023, the Paper Recycling Club have played out two more 2-2 ties while stunning the capital club 2-1 in last season's corresponding fixture.

The Goalkeeper Detail

Ter Stegen and Van Gassel can influence territory through distribution. For Ajax against SBV Excelsior, the key is which side recognises the next available lane before the opponent can recover.

With Ruben den Uil 's men sixth in the table and high-flying at this stage of the campaign, they will back themselves for a positive outcome on Saturday.

How Ajax can finally break the pattern

That ambition is aided by their foundation of a seemingly watertight defence that has let in just seven goals in six games, keeping two clean sheets in six games.

Why Berghuis, Arokodare, Gloukh Need Different Movements

Berghuis, Arokodare, Gloukh need complementary runs for Ajax. For Ajax against SBV Excelsior, the key is which side recognises the next available lane before the opponent can recover.

If all three occupy the same line, SBV Excelsior can defend them far more comfortably.

Yet, the Kralingers' failure to win in consecutive games, conceding two each in a 2-2 draw with NEC Nijmegen and losing 2-1 to FC Utrecht last time out, suggests that a dip in form is in the offing; however, Roodzwarten hope to nip that ostensible dip in the bud in the capital.

One Final Tactical Question

For Ajax against SBV Excelsior, the key is which side recognises the next available lane before the opponent can recover. For Ajax against SBV Excelsior, the key is which side recognises the next available lane before the opponent can recover.

How Ajax Can Control Territory

Ajax do not need to force every attack. A controlled spell can move SBV Excelsior across the pitch and create a cleaner forward pass.

How SBV Excelsior Can Break the Rhythm

SBV Excelsior need moments when they slow the game and keep the ball. For Ajax against SBV Excelsior, the key is which side recognises the next available lane before the opponent can recover.

The Opening 15 Minutes

The first spell of Ajax vs SBV Excelsior should reveal which side is more comfortable with the expected pattern. For Ajax against SBV Excelsior, the key is which side recognises the next available lane before the opponent can recover.

Why Shape Matters More Than Volume

Shot counts alone may not explain control in Ajax vs SBV Excelsior. For Ajax against SBV Excelsior, the key is which side recognises the next available lane before the opponent can recover.

Ajax's Route Through Midfield

Ajax need Klaassen, Mokio, Brandt to receive under pressure without slowing the attack unnecessarily. For Ajax against SBV Excelsior, the key is which side recognises the next available lane before the opponent can recover. If that happens, Berghuis, Arokodare, Gloukh can stay higher and occupy defenders instead of dropping too deep.

SBV Excelsior's Route Through Transition

SBV Excelsior can create danger if Yegoian, Meissen, Hartjes move the first pass quickly after a regain. Sliti, Garden, Thorsteinsson need to provide one vertical run and one shorter option. For Ajax against SBV Excelsior, the key is which side recognises the next available lane before the opponent can recover.

Why Territory Matters in Ajax vs SBV Excelsior

Possession alone may not explain which team is controlling Ajax vs SBV Excelsior. For Ajax against SBV Excelsior, the key is which side recognises the next available lane before the opponent can recover. For Ajax against SBV Excelsior, the key is which side recognises the next available lane before the opponent can recover.

The Closing Decision

For Ajax against SBV Excelsior, the key is which side recognises the next available lane before the opponent can recover. For Ajax against SBV Excelsior, the key is which side recognises the next available lane before the opponent can recover. For Ajax against SBV Excelsior, the key is which side recognises the next available lane before the opponent can recover.

How SBV Excelsior Can Turn Defence Into Threat

SBV Excelsior will look for moments when Ajax have committed players ahead of the ball. For Ajax against SBV Excelsior, the same phase matters because the next supporting run can change a harmless possession into a clear chance. For Ajax against SBV Excelsior, the same phase matters because the next supporting run can change a harmless possession into a clear chance.

Sliti, Garden can help by starting wide enough to stretch recovery runs. If Thorsteinsson occupies the centre-backs, the supporting runners may find useful space either side of the main striker.

Why Ter Stegen and Van Gassel Matter Before the Save

Ter Stegen and Van Gassel can influence the match before either is forced into a difficult stop. For Ajax against SBV Excelsior, the same phase matters because the next supporting run can change a harmless possession into a clear chance.

For Ajax against SBV Excelsior, the same phase matters because the next supporting run can change a harmless possession into a clear chance.

The Box-Entry Quality Test

For Ajax against SBV Excelsior, the same phase matters because the next supporting run can change a harmless possession into a clear chance. Ajax should prefer cut-backs and passes into moving targets over hopeful crosses from poor angles.

SBV Excelsior face the same challenge in transition. For Ajax against SBV Excelsior, the same phase matters because the next supporting run can change a harmless possession into a clear chance.

The Discipline of Rest Defence

In Ajax vs SBV Excelsior, the team that protects the centre after losing possession should be able to attack with greater confidence over longer spells.

The Psychology of a Close Scoreline

If Ajax vs SBV Excelsior stays level deep into the second half, decision-making will become more emotional. For Ajax against SBV Excelsior, the same phase matters because the next supporting run can change a harmless possession into a clear chance. For Ajax against SBV Excelsior, the same phase matters because the next supporting run can change a harmless possession into a clear chance.

Where the Match Could Be Won Without the Ball

Ajax and SBV Excelsior both need their nearest players to react immediately after turnovers. For Ajax against SBV Excelsior, the same phase matters because the next supporting run can change a harmless possession into a clear chance.

Why the Final Pass Must Match the Run

The final pass should be judged by the movement ahead of it. A runner attacking depth needs the ball early, while a player arriving between lines may need a firmer pass into feet.

Poor timing can make a good run look wasteful. In Ajax vs SBV Excelsior, the side that synchronises those two actions more consistently should create the clearer chances.

How Ajax Can Create a Better Final Ball

Ajax need their attacking moves to arrive with a clear picture of the next pass. Too many touches around the box can allow SBV Excelsior to reset. For Ajax against SBV Excelsior, the same phase matters because the next supporting run can change a harmless possession into a clear chance.

Berghuis, Arokodare are important to that process because their movement can stretch the back line horizontally. Once the defence widens, Gloukh can attack the central channel with fewer bodies around him.

Prediction

• Full-time result: Ajax to win
• Double chance: Ajax or Draw
• Both teams to score: Yes
• Goals: Over 2.5 goals
• Correct score: Ajax 3-1 SBV Excelsior

For Ajax against SBV Excelsior, the key is which side recognises the next available lane before the opponent can recover. Goal.mu's prediction is Ajax 3-1 SBV Excelsior.