Ajax host Excelsior at the Johan Cruijff ArenA on Saturday night in the Eredivisie.

Ajax have had a fairly good start to the season, picking up 13 points in six games and also qualifying for the UEFA Conference League after three qualification rounds.

In the Eredivisie, Ajax have won four games, drawn one and lost one. They began the season with a 0-2 win against PEC Zwolle. They then played SC Heerenveen. Ajax led 2-0 in Amsterdam in that game, but the visitors managed to salvage a point in a 2-2 draw. Ajax then bounced back with a 0-4 win against Telstar before losing 1-3 to reigning champions PSV Eindhoven at home. 

Since the defeat to Peter Bosz's side, Ajax have been exceptional, beating both Fortuna Sittard and Willem II 5-1. Ajax were dominant in both games and are growing in confidence.

Excelsior have had a solid start to the season, earning 10 points in their first six games. They lost to PSV Eindhoven and Utrecht, drew with NEC Nijmegen and won against SC Cambuur, Sparta Rotterdam and Willem II. They have scored 13 goals across those six games and conceded seven.

Ajax will be without Daley Blind against Excelsior. The defender has not played for Ajax since the away game against Shelbourne FC and is still recovering from an injury.

Aaron Bouwman is also unavailable as he continues to recover from the injury he suffered in Ajax's defeat against PSV Eindhoven.

New signing Simon Adingra also remains unavailable due to an injury and will have to wait until after the international break to make his debut for the Amsterdammers.

Ajax confirmed the signing of Yves Bissouma on a free transfer on Wednesday, but he has reportedly not been registered on time and, just like Adingra, will therefore have to wait until after the international break to make his Ajax debut.

Michel rotated his team heavily against Willem II in Ajax's 5-1 win, but will likely choose a starting line-up against Excelsior, which is on paper stronger.

Maarten Paes started in goal against Willem II, but Marc ter Stegen will return to the starting line-up against Excelsior.

In defence, Caio Henrique will start at left-back, replacing Owen Wijndal who started against Willem II. Anton Gaaei is likely to start at right-back, replacing Lucas Rosa, who started on Tuesday. In central defence, Youri Baas will partner Thilo Kehrer.

In midfield, Julian Brandt and Davy Klaassen will keep their places, while Jorthy Mokio will likely be replaced by Sofyan Amrabat in defensive midfield.

In the forward line, Oscar Gloukh will keep his place on the left wing after an excellent performance against Willem II. Kasper Dolberg was also exceptional, scoring once and assisting two goals, but Tolu Arokodare will probably come back into the starting line-up following his impressive start to the season. On the right wing, Viktor Tsygankov is starting to find form and scored his first goal for Ajax against Willem II, but Steven Berghuis will likely keep his place against Excelsior.

Ajax predicted starting XI against Excelsior: Ter Stegen, Henrique, Baas, Kehrer, Gaaei, Amrabat, Klaassen, Brandt, Gloukh, Berghuis, Tolu.