Ajax have had a solid start to the season, and currently sit 5th with 14 points from seven games.

In the games before the international break, Ajax gained real momentum. They beat Fortuna Sittard and Willem II 5-1, and while they had to settle for a draw against Excelsior, they dominated the game.

After a three-week international break, a busy few weeks await Ajax, with the Amsterdammers having six games scheduled in the final three weeks of October.

After the game against NEC Nijmegen, Ajax will travel to Croatia to kick off the league phase of the UEFA Conference League against Hajduk Split.

NEC Nijmegen currently sit 11th in the Eredivisie and are winless in their last five games in all competitions. They lost to Feyenoord, Cambuur and Juventus, and drew against Excelsior and Go Ahead Eagles.

Michel Sanchez confirmed in his press conference on Friday that Daley Blind, Caio Henrique, Steven Berghuis, Anton Gaaei and Joeri Heerkens are all unavailable for the game against NEC Nijmegen.

Michel confirmed that Henrique will be out for a few weeks due to a thigh injury. Gaaei suffered a knee injury during training and is not available for Saturday's game. Dolberg underwent a successful operation for a knee injury suffered during the international break. Blind is continuing to recover from a back injury and is training individually. 

Simon Adingra and Aaron Bouwman are both fit again and available for selection against NEC Nijmegen. Yves Bissouma is also available and could make his debut for Ajax on Saturday night after signing with the club on a free transfer.

Marc ter Stegen will start for Ajax in goal. Gaaei's absence means that Lucas Rosa will likely start at right-back, while Owen Wijndal will start at left-back due to Henrique's injury. In central defence, Bouwman is fit again, but Michel may opt to keep the central defensive partnership of Youri Baas and Thilo Kehrer.

In midfield, Sofyan Amrabat will start in defensive midfield. Jorthy Mokio could start as the No. 8, although Michel may choose Davy Klaassen in that role. Julian Brandt has been excellent this season and will start in the No. 10 position.

In attack, Berghuis' absence means that Viktor Tsygankov will start on the right wing. He started against Excelsior after scoring his first Ajax goal in the game before against Willem II. Oscar Gloukh will most probably keep his place on the left wing, which means Adingra will have to settle for a place on the bench. Tolu Arokodare did not start against Willem II and Excelsior, but will return to the starting line-up against NEC Nijmegen, with Marcos Leonardo on the bench.

Ajax Predicted Starting XI: Ter Stegen, Rosa, Kehrer, Baas, Wijndal, Amrabat, Mokio, Brandt, Tsygankov, Tolu, Gloukh.