Preview: PEC Zwolle vs. Go Ahead Eagles - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts have won two of their first four games this season, while the visitors have picked up two wins in their opening three games.

Match preview

PEC Zwolle won promotion from the Eerste Divisie last season, and they will be happy with the start they have made to the new campaign, having won two of their opening four games.

After a two-game losing run at the start of the season, in matches against Sparta Rotterdam and FC Twente, the Bluefingers are now on a two-game winning run, which commenced with a 1-0 victory over FC Utrecht.

Johnny Jansen's side got their first points on the board courtesy of a second-half Ferdy Druijf penalty at the MAC³PARK Stadion, and they have since gone on to prove they have what it takes to win on the road.

Last time out, PEC Zwolle did things the hard way against Almere City, conceding a 95th-minute equaliser after Dave Van Den Berg had opened the scoring early in the first half, but Apostolos Vellios found the back of the net just one minute later to secure all three points in dramatic style.

Having managed to take all three points against another newly-promoted side, the Bluefingers are now tasked with following it up with a victory against a more established Eredivisie team, who they do not have the best of recent records against.

Indeed, Go Ahead Eagles have come out on top in the last two meetings between the two sides, winning 1-0 in both games, and they have made a promising start to the Eredivisie season.

After a 5-1 defeat against AZ Alkmaar on the opening day, Kowet have bounced back with two wins on the bounce, running out 4-1 winners against FC Volendam despite being reduced to 10 men after Bobby Adekanye was sent off in the first half.

Rene Hake's side again looked very good going forward in their last match, defeating Heerenveen 3-2 at De Adelaarshorst courtesy of goals from Bas Kuipers, Philippe Rommens and Sylla Sow.

Having won their last two home games on the spin, Go Ahead Eagles will now be looking to get their first away win on the board this season, after struggling on the road in the 2022-23 campaign, taking just 13 points from 17 games.

PEC Zwolle Eredivisie form:

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L

W

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Go Ahead Eagles Eredivisie form:

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W

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L

W

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Team News

PEC Zwolle will be without Anouar El Azzouzi, with the defender being dismissed after receiving two yellow cards in the last match, meaning Bram van Polen is likely to keep his place at right-back.

Ryan Thomas, Kenneth Vermeer and Samir Lagsir all remain sidelined with injury, and will play no part in Sunday's game.

Having scored just minutes after being brought on as a substitute against Almere, Vellios may be handed a start at striker, replacing Druijf in the starting lineup.

As for Go Ahead Eagles, forward Finn Stokkers continues to miss out due to an eye injury, but Hake otherwise has a fully-fit squad to choose from.

Sow may be given the nod over Oliver Edvardsen at left-wing, given that he scored after being brought on as a substitute against Heerenveen.

PEC Zwolle possible starting lineup:

Schendelaar; Van Polen, Kersten, Lam, Macnulty; Namli, Buurmeester, Van Den Berg, Reijnders; Thy, Vellios

Go Ahead Eagles possible starting lineup:

De Lange; Deijl, Amofa, Kramer, Kuipers; Linthorst, Rommens, Breum, Willumsson, Sow; Edvardsen

We say: PEC Zwolle 1-1 Go Ahead Eagles

PEC Zwolle may be a newly-promoted side, but they already have two wins on the board this season, and they should be able to pick up at least a point this weekend.

Although Go Ahead Eagles' early season form has also looked promising, they struggled on the road last season, so we expect the spoils to be shared on Sunday.

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