The final match on Saturday in the Eredivisie will be a crucial bottom-half clash at MAC³PARK Stadion between PEC Zwolle and Sparta Rotterdam.
These two sides are separated by just a single point this term, with the hosts currently on 12 and in 14th place, while the visitors are on 11 and two spots below them.
Match preview
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After spending the majority of last season battling to survive the drop, PEC Zwolle are looking increasingly likely to be a part of the relegation scrap again this term unless they can find some consistency in their performances.
In 2024-25, Zwolle have managed just three wins, two of which were against teams that were in the bottom five at the time in Heracles and Almere City, while they have not managed to record back-to-back victories since the end of January.
Blauwvingers suffered their seventh defeat in 13 matches last week when they were fairly comfortably beaten by Ajax on the road, marking their third loss in their last five Eredivisie matches.
Notably, the hosts have been very poor in defence recently, shipping 13 goals in their last five league games, which is a significant drop-off after conceding just 11 in their preceding eight back to the start of the season.
PEC Zwolle have done their best work at home this season, though, earning nine of their 12 points at MAC³PARK Stadion (W3 D0 L3), and they have yet to be shut out on their home patch.
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Meanwhile, Sparta Rotterdam have experienced a major fall from grace this season, currently languishing in the relegation playoff spot after finishing comfortably inside the top half of the table last term.
De Kasteelheren looked to be on their way to salvaging a point against AZ Alkmaar last week when Tobias Lauritsen cancelled out an early goal from Peer Koopmeiners, but a late strike by Sven Mijnans denied them a share of the spoils.
That defeat was Sparta's fourth consecutive league loss in a row and sixth for the season so far, and they are now winless in their last seven games (W0 D2 L5) dating back to the middle of September.
Maurice Steijn's side are also on a three-match losing streak on the road in the Eredivisie and failed to score in their last two, though they did beat this opponent 2-1 at this venue early last season.
Team News
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The hosts will be able to welcome Davy van den Berg back for this match, with the central midfielder having served his suspension for the red card he was shown ahead of the international break.
Samir Lagsir and Tristan Gooijer are only expected to return from serious knee injuries in the New Year, but Simon Graves returned to the squad last time out and should make the starting 11 this week.
The visitors are missing two players through suspension, including Djevencio van der Kust, who was sent off against Utrecht at the start of the month, while Pelle Clement crossed the yellow card threshold last week.
Jonathan de Guzman is set for a lengthy period out having undergone knee surgery in recent weeks, and he will be joined on the sidelines by Kayky, who is ruled out for this one with a muscle injury.
PEC Zwolle possible starting lineup:
Schendelaar; Floranus, Graves, MacNulty, Van der Haar; Fichtinger, El Azzouzi, Mbayo, Monteiro, Namli; Vente
Sparta Rotterdam possible starting lineup:
Olij; Bakari, Young, Eerdhuijzen, Van Aanholt; Kitolano, Baas; Nassoh, Verschueren, Mito; Lauritsen
We say: PEC Zwolle 1-1 Sparta Rotterdam
There is very little to choose between these sides both in terms of the league standings and recent records right now, and we feel there will be nothing to separate them on the scoreline at the final whistle in this match.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Devesh Jaganath
