Preview: SBV Excelsior vs. Ajax - prediction, team news, lineups

Eredivisie champions Ajax go in search of a much-needed three points on Sunday when they visit Van Donge & De Roo Stadion to lock horns with SBV Excelsior.

Similarly, this weekend's hosts could certainly also do with a victory here off the back of three defeats in their last four matches across all competitions.

Match preview

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Ajax played out a third consecutive share of the spoils courtesy of a 1-1 stalemate against FC Volendam at the Johan Cruyff ArenA on Thursday.

After going behind to Damon Mirani's opener just shy of the hour mark, Ajax looked to be on course for a shocking defeat before Mohammed Kudus restored parity in the dying embers.

That turned out to be the final straw for Alfred Schreuder, who was relieved of his duty as head coach with De Godenzonen lying fifth in the Eredivisie table, a whopping seven points shy of leaders Feyenoord.

Awaiting them next is the challenge of an opposing outfit currently on a dismal run of five straight losses in this fixture by a combined score of 25-6.

Having kept just one clean sheet in 10 matches away from home leading up to Sunday's contest, the visitors will be looking to keep things tight at the back en route to a positive result on enemy territory.

SBV Excelsior fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat against FC Utrecht when the teams went head-to-head at the Stadion Galgenwaard on Wednesday evening.

Anastasios Douvikas popped up with the all-important moment just six minutes into the contest as Marinus Dijkhuizen's men failed to find the back of the net for the second time in the space of 11 days.

Consequently, the Kralingers have dropped down to 13th place in the league standings, and they now sit just six points clear of the relegation zone.

Currently with the second-worst defensive record in the division, Sunday's hosts will need to be wary of being picked apart by the side with the most goals scored so far.

Team News

Yassine Ayoub and Kik Pierie are unavailable for Excelsior as they continue to battle with muscle injuries, although the former is nearing a comeback.

Twenty-four-year-old Jacky Donkor also misses out for the home side through a knee problem which has seen him fail to feature since the turn of the year.

Ajax's Florian Grillitsch is a major doubt for this weekend's clash as he remains sidelined through injury, while Youri Baas is still out of contention.

Devyne Rensch returned to the lineup against Volendam last time out after serving a one-game suspension and the Dutchman should feature right from the off once again.

Mohammed Kudus had to make do with a place on the bench in the aforementioned game, but the Ghanaian is expected to be recalled to the starting XI for this one.

SBV Excelsior possible starting lineup:

Van Gassel; Tjoe, El Yaakoubi, Nieuwpoort, Horemans; Fein, Baas; Driouech, Goudmijn, Azarkan; Kharchouch

Ajax possible starting lineup:

Rulli; Bassey, Timber, Alvarez, Rensch; Berghuis, Taylor, Klaassen; Tadic, Kudus, Bergwijn

We say: SBV Excelsior 1-2 Ajax

Off the back of an underwhelming run of results, Ajax simply cannot afford to drop any more points at the moment, making this weekend's clash a must-win for them. We are backing the Dutch giants to rise up to the occasion and carry the day at the sound of the final whistle.

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