Excelsior v Ajax: Champions League push meets lower-half fight | OneFootball

Excelsior host Ajax in the Eredivisie on Sunday, 1 February 2026 at Stadion Woudestein, with the visitors third on 37 points and the hosts 13th on 22 as one side chases Europe while the other looks to keep clear of danger.

Excelsior won 2-1 away at Ajax in November, so confidence in Rotterdam will be real despite the gap in the table. The lower half side have steadied with three straight league draws after a heavy loss at PSV, following a December win over PEC Zwolle.

Ajax's recent run is mixed across competitions: a league win over Volendam and a draw with Go Ahead Eagles sit alongside a 6-0 cup defeat at AZ and a midweek loss to Olympiacos. Even so, they remain in the top three.

Ajax list Steven Berghuis, Ko Itakura and James McConnell as injured, trimming options in attack, defence and midfield respectively.

With 57% possession, 86.58% passing accuracy and 1.9 goals per game this season, Ajax may look to control the ball and feed Mika Godts, their eight-goal threat, and Wout Weghorst. Excelsior average one goal per game and have conceded 35. Noah Naujoks leads them with six league goals and could be the outlet in transition.

A home win would move Excelsior to 25 points and could pull them further from the relegation places. Victory for Ajax would take them to 40 points and could strengthen their Champions League qualification push inside the top three.