PEC Zwolle vs Sparta Rotterdam Predictions

Zwolle conceded three goals for the third successive match and slipped to another defeat last weekend at Vitesse, while Sparta moved onto seven points for the season by beating Den Haag 2-1 in their own backyard.

The form and performances of these two clubs over the last month or so suggest that we will see both teams score and over 2.5 goals produced on Sunday and that Sparta are best placed to pick up all three points. Both teams have scored in three of the last five meetings between these two clubs and over 2.5 goals have also been scored in three of the pairs’ last five encounters.

The season is only three games old but seven points separate these two clubs due to Zwolle losing their opening three league matches and Sparta winning two and drawing one of their first three matches back in the top flight of Dutch football. Zwolle conceded three goals in each of those defeats, going down 3-1 against Willem II and Utrecht, and losing 3-0 at Vitesse last time out, while Sparta started with a 2-2 draw against Feyenoord, then beat VVV 4-1 and Den Haag 2-1.

The performances of both teams in recent weeks suggest that there will be lots of goalmouth action in Sunday’s match as both teams scored and over 2.5 goals were produced in three of Zwolle’s last five and each of Sparta’s last three matches, with Zwolle failing to win any of those games and Sparta winning all of theirs. The visitors have won five of their last six matches in all competitions and have started the new season with so much confidence in their own ability that talk of a relegation battle has been forgotten.

We’re confident that both teams will score and over 2.5 goals will be produced in Sunday’s match and have predicted a final scoreline of 3-2 in favour of Sparta Rotterdam. Sparta have started the season much better than their hosts but are yet to keep a clean sheet and often find games at this ground to be tough. Zwolle have lost each of their opening three matches and have conceded three goals in all of them, which is why we’re backing this game to end up being a five-goal thriller that Sparta will win.