Ajax - Excelsior

Ajax and Excelsior meet at the Johan Cruijff ArenA on 19 September 2026 for their matchday 7 Eredivisie encounter. Ajax enter the fixture in high-scoring form, having recently dismantled Willem II 5-1 and Fortuna Sittard 5-1, a sharp recovery following their early September defeat to PSV Eindhoven. Conversely, Excelsior arrive looking to regain momentum after a narrow 2-1 loss to FC Utrecht disrupted their previous unbeaten run, which included a solid 3-0 victory over Willem II and a draw against NEC Nijmegen.

The history between these two sides suggests a competitive affair, with their most recent meeting on 1 February 2026 ending in a 2-2 draw. Ajax will rely on an expected XI featuring Kasper Dolberg and Steven Berghuis to break down the Excelsior defensive line, while the visitors look to Stijn van Gassel to anchor their resistance. With Aaron Bouwman sidelined for the hosts, the tactical battle in midfield will be pivotal in determining whether Ajax can maintain their recent offensive rhythm or if Excelsior can secure a result on the road.