Preview: FC Twente vs. PEC Zwolle - prediction, team news, lineups

Meanwhile, the visitors, who are back in the top flight after promotion, opened up with a slender defeat and sit in the bottom half of the standings.

Match preview

For the time being, as much of Twente's efforts are being focused on the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds as they are on the Dutch top flight.

Victories over Hammarby and Riga have set up a two-legged tie with Turkish giants Fenerbahce to determine whether they reach the group stage.

Nevertheless, Joseph Oosting also has genuine ambition of breaking into the top four in the Eredivisie during 2023-24, his team having not lost a competitive fixture since the middle of April.

Commencing their domestic campaign with a visit to newcomers Almere City represented the ideal start, Twente running out 4-1 victors but only via two goals in added-on time.

This is a team that have now scored 11 times and conceded just twice in five matches this season, and they have the chance to extend that streak versus another newly-promoted side.

PEC Zwolle only miss out on the Eerste Divisie title on goal difference, although they were a huge 15 points clear of Almere City in third spot.

Having only spent one year away from the Eredivisie, Zwolle will fancy their chances of re-establishing themselves in the division, yet they got off to a losing start.

Johnny Jansen's side went down by a 2-1 scoreline to Sparta Rotterdam on home territory, and a meeting with opponents who have the joint-most competitive football under their belt in the division is hardly ideal.

That said, games such as this one are an opportunity for Zwolle to play with a certain level of freedom, particularly when their opponents are unbeaten in their most recent 14 matches.

FC Twente Eredivisie form:

FC Twente form (all competitions):

PEC Zwolle Eredivisie form:

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Team News

On the back of his two goals against Almere City as a substitute, Ricky van Wolfswinkel was handed a start versus Riga on Thursday night.

However, with each of the front three contributing a goal or assist in the preceding league fixture, the veteran forward may find himself back among the replacements.

Sem Steijn and Michel Vlap were each rested for the continental encounter and should be recalled in midfield and attack respectively.

Having scored as a substitute last weekend, Lennart Thy could be handed a start in the PEC Zwolle attack.

Younes Namli would likely be the player to drop out, and the remainder of the side could stay the same if Jansen sticks with a 5-3-2 formation.

FC Twente possible starting lineup:

Unnerstall; Sampsted, Hilgers, Propper, Brenet; Steijn, Kjolo, Sadilek; Rots, Ugalde, Vlap

PEC Zwolle possible starting lineup:

Schendelaar; Reijnders, Polen, Kersten, Hintum, Czyborra; Buurmeester, Lam, Van den Berg; Thy, Druijf

We say: FC Twente 2-0 PEC Zwolle

Having given a good account of themselves in their first fixture, the signs are there that Zwolle could avoid relegation this season. Nevertheless, Twente have built some momentum during the early weeks of the season and should cruise to victory at the weekend.

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