PEC Zwolle vs NEC Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

These two sides are locking horns just a month after their last meeting. That friendly victory was a rare home win for PEC Zwolle, who have the second worst home record in the Dutch top flight ahead of Friday night’s match. Will they be able to improve their return here by claiming another win over NEC?

The hosts need to boost their paltry home return, having averaged just 0.82 points per game at their own ground. PEC have managed to win just twice at home all season, which is something they need to improve if they’re going to avoid the drop. Their opponents this weekend are in a similar position, having lost half of their away games and averaged just 0.9 points per away match.

Neither of these two sides are exactly prolific, with PEC coming in to this game averaging 0.73 goals per match. They’ve also failed to score in 55% of their outings at their own ground. Meanwhile, NEC score just 0.7 goals per game on the road, failing to score in half of their matches on their travels. Despite that, the visitors are yet to have an away game finish goalless this season, and the hosts have seen over 2.5 goals in 64% of their games at home.

Both teams come here with really poor defensive records, which should guarantee some goals in this clash. PEC have conceded 1.91 goals per match at home this season, keeping a clean sheet in just 18% of their matches at their own ground. NEC let in two goals per away game on average, conceding in 80% of their away outings.

While goals are likely, don’t expect to see many early on. Both of these sides have a habit of low scoring first halves. There have been no first half goals in 36% of PEC’s home matches, while 70% of NEC’s away games have seen one goal or fewer scored. Despite their poor opening periods, these two tend to pick up in the second half, but that’s also when they’re most vulnerable defensively. The hosts have scored and conceded 62% of their goals at home in the second 45 minutes, with 38% of their goals against coming in the last 15 minutes alone. Meanwhile, the visitors score 71% of their away goals in the second half, with most of their goals coming in the final 15 minutes.

Given their high scoring second halves, we can see some late drama in this clash on Friday night. A high scoring second period is our tip here, as we’re backing the second half to be the highest scoring. That’s priced at 21/20 with bet365, which looks like excellent value given how these two tend to keep things tight in the early stages. Given that PEC have failed to win 82% of their home games, and NEC have won just 20% of their trips, we’re backing a 1-1 draw at 6/1 with bet365.