In the second round of the KNVB Beker, Ajax will face Excelsior Maassluis on Wednesday at Sportpark Dijkpolder. Ajax, the twenty-time winners of the tournament, are determined to prevent an early exit after their surprising defeat to Hercules Utrecht last season.
Match Preview: Excelsior Maassluis vs. Ajax
Excelsior Maassluis, currently struggling in the third tier of Dutch football, hopes to recreate a similar upset they achieved two years ago when they stunned Ajax. During that match, Mats Grotenbreg scored a last-minute winner for Hercules, marking a memorable victory.
Excelsior recently secured a 2-0 victory over Barendrecht, lifting them to 17th place in the Tweede Divisie. However, their league struggles have been evident, with only one win in their last five league matches out of 17 overall.
In comparison, Ajax has bounced back from a tough start to the season. The team, managed by Fred Grim, has experienced a turnaround, winning four consecutive matches after earlier setbacks. They previously lost three consecutive games against Utrecht, SBV Excelsior, and Benfica. Their recent performances include a 2-0 win over Groningen and a 2-0 victory against Feyenoord.
Team News
For Excelsior Maassluis, forward Quincy Tavares has been a standout performer, scoring both goals during their recent game. Tavares now has eight goals in the league, significantly more than teammate Jannick Verbont.
- Excelsior Maassluis Key Players:
- Quincy Tavares – 8 league goals
- Jannick Verbont – Key creator
- Ajax Injury News:
- Steven Berghuis
- Josip Sutalo
- Wout Weghorst
- Kenneth Taylor
- James McConnell
Ajax’s lineup may see Don-Angelo Konadu feature up front in the absence of Weghorst. He has shown promise in previous matches, contributing to the team’s scoring efforts.
Predictions and Expectations
Given the significant disparity in quality between the two teams, Ajax enters as the clear favorite. Based on current form, a predicted scoreline of Excelsior Maassluis 1 – 4 Ajax is anticipated. Ajax’s recent performances suggest they are unlikely to face another early exit this season.
Both teams are preparing for what promises to be an exciting encounter, with Ajax looking to maintain their winning streak in the prestigious KNVB Beker competition.
