Croatia
Indonesia
Nigeria
South Africa

RKC Waalwijkvs.PEC Zwolle

sportsmole.co.uk, 10 May 2024, 15:52
It is a crucial match as far as the bottom of the Eredivisie is concerned this Sunday as RKC Waalwijk looks to secure their survival in the top flight when hosting PEC Zwolle.

Three points could guarantee safety for the home side depending on other results, placing plenty of pressure on this particular fixture.

Match preview

With just two games left, time is running out for RKC Waalwijk in their bid to avoid relegation, and while they are currently sitting above the relegation zone the gap is only two points.

A draw or a defeat this weekend would open the door for SBV Excelsior to potentially overtake them, and considering RKC Waalwijk's final game of the season is against the champions PSV Eindhoven, the fans will want to guarantee an extra three points with this particular match.

Should Henk Fraser's men win on Sunday and SBV Excelsior lose or draw, then safety will be confirmed with one game to be spare, which is the ideal scenario that everyone associated with the club will be hoping for.

RKC Waalwijk are undefeated in their past two games, with the most recent being an emphatic 5-0 win against Heracles, showcasing the fact that they are not going to accept relegation without a fight.

They have also been stronger when it comes to playing at home, and with the crowd roaring them on, RKC Waalwijk will have the belief they can achieve something special this weekend.

On the flip side, the visitors were on the receiving end of a 5-0 hammering during their most recent match, and putting that behind them at the first available opportunity will be the aim this time out.

PEC Zwolle have nothing specific to fight for in this game, as they are not able to achieve European football, nor do they have to worry about potentially being relegated.

However, that does not mean that they will not be pushing for three points, as there is still the opportunity for the visitors to finish higher up the division this season.

Three points on Sunday could see them climb up to 10th depending on other results, and that is what Johnny Jansen will want to see from his squad.

The visitors will also want to avenge the previous meeting between the two clubs, where they were handed a 2-1 loss.

RKC Waalwijk Eredivisie form:

D

D

L

L

D

W

PEC Zwolle Eredivisie form:

L

L

W

D

W

L

Team News

The hosts will be without the services of Nouri El Harmazi for this match due to a shoulder injury that the 21-year-old is dealing with.

However, after an impressive 5-0 win in their most recent outing, it is unlikely that Fraser will look to make any alterations to the starting lineup.

Jansen could bring Thomas Lam and Younes Namli back into the starting lineup for the visitors after their recent suspensions.

Considering their recent heavy defeat there is a good chance the PEC Zwolle boss will make wholesale changes to give other players an opportunity.

RKC Waalwijk possible starting lineup:

Vaessen; Gaari, Adewoye, Van den Buijs, Lutonda; Oukili, Roemeratoe; Lokesa, Niemeijer, Seuntjens; Min

PEC Zwolle possible starting lineup:

Schendelaar; Polen, Kersten, Van der Haar, MacNulty; Azzouzi, Krastev; Reijnders, Velanas, Water; Thy

We say: RKC Waalwijk 2-0 PEC Zwolle

RKC Waalwijk might be the underdogs heading into this fixture, but with so much on the line, they will be pushing hard to get a positive result this weekend.

The hosts have been in good form recently, and that alone could be the difference-maker in this game.

Previews by email

Top News

23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea are readying an offer of €60m (£49.8m) for the signature of AC Milan midfielder Youssouf Fofana, according to a report. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Ruben Amorim has refused to rule out a return for Manchester United outcast Marcus Rashford against Wolves on Boxing Day. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Arsenal will not be playing on Boxing Day this year as they welcome Ipswich to the Emirates on Friday night instead. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Sociedad sporting director Roberto Olabe has affirmed that he does not expect Liverpool-linked midfielder Martin Zubimendi to push for an exit during the January transfer window. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk has insisted that there is "no deadline" to sign a new contract at Anfield as he prepares to enter the last six months of his current terms. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Liverpool will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table against Leicester in Boxing Day's late kick-off. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Mason Mount is set for another lengthy injury absence, talkSPORT understands. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Liverpool will face Leicester City on Boxing Day, live on talkSPORT, after celebrating Christmas at the top of the Premier League table. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Kai Havertz could move to the Arsenal right wing following the injury blow to Bukayo Saka. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Michael Owen has slammed the Aston Villa supporters who booed Jack Grealish - and told them to 'hang your heads in shame'. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Former Manchester City star Jesus Navas couldn't hold back the tears as he was given an emotional send-off before his retirement. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that he expects Bukayo Saka to be out for "many weeks" with the hamstring injury he suffered in Saturday's 5-1 Premier League win over Crystal Palace. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea are reportedly struggling to attract offers for one of their fringe players ahead of the January transfer window. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in signing Everton defender Ben Godfrey. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Gareth Southgate had an Adele hit on repeat before stepping down as England manager. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is set to be ruled out until February, talkSPORT understands. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly identified a Sporting Lisbon youngster as a potential signing for Strasbourg. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Big things were expected of Marko Mitrovic when he joined Chelsea as a 16-year-old in 2008. 23 December 2024 talksport.com talkSPORT has today announced that is has won radio rights to the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 coverage. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Boxing Day football is beloved by fans and one of the highlights of the Christmas schedule - but it can prove tricky for the players. 23 December 2024 talksport.com A handful of Premier League stars will be able to spend Christmas at home this year after receiving a Boxing Day ban. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea return to action on Boxing Day when they play host to local rivals Fulham at Stamford Bridge. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Lisandro Martinez has claimed that Manchester United were "playing so well" before losing 3-0 to Bournemouth on Sunday. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has allegedly made a further two senior players available for transfer. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Arsenal have reportedly scouted Atalanta striker Mateo Retegui as an alternative transfer target to Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly discovered the asking price of Brighton & Hove Albion forward Joao Pedro. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Denis Suarez wasn't the player Arsenal fans wanted to sign - but he's the footballer supporters have a hard time in forgetting. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City will be aiming to avoid four straight defeats across all competitions when they welcome Everton to the Etihad in the Premier League on Boxing Day. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk After spending Christmas Day in the bottom half of the Premier League table, Tottenham Hotspur endeavour to atone for recent failings when they travel to Nottingham Forest for a Boxing Day battle. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk After celebrating Christmas Day at the top of the Premier League table, Liverpool get back to business on Boxing Day, when they welcome Leicester City to Anfield.