Excelsior vs PEC Zwolle Predictions

Excelsior are having a poor season and are languishing around the relegation zones. They currently sit in 15th place after picking up just 26 points from their 25 games so far this season. They currently sit just 1 point above the relegation playoff zone so a win here is vital for the home side.

PEC Zwolle are another side in trouble at the wrong end of the table, they too have picked up just 26 points so far this season and find themselves just 1 point above the relegation playoff zone. This really has the makings of a relegation six pointer as whoever loses will be in major trouble whilst the victor will have lifted themselves away from the pack and gave themselves some breathing room.

Excelsior come into this game in poor form, having won just once in their last 5 league games, a 2-1 home win against Emmen. Their last 2 results have both been losses after a 2-0 home loss to league leaders PSV and a 1-0 away loss to VVV. The home side will be keen to end that losing run here this weekend and put some breathing space between them and the rest.

PEC Zwolle as you would expect by their position in the table also come into this weekends game in poor form. They have not won in their last 5 league games, with 2 draws and 3 losses. Their last two games have shown signs of improvement however as they picked up a 0-0 draw against AZ and last week valiantly fought in defeat to Ajax 2-1 away from home.

Excelsior haven’t been too bad at home winning 5, drawing 3 and losing 5 this season. They score well too netting 1.62 per game on average however their Achilles heel is their defence. At home they have conceded 2.23 goals per game.

PEC Zwolle have been better away from home this season than they have at home, picking up 4 wins and 2 draws from their 12 league games. They struggle offensively in general however on the road they score just 0.83 goals per game. They aren’t terrible defensively away from home conceding just 1.33 per game compared to 1.92 per game when on home soil.

PEC Zwolle are priced as the favourites here however we can’t go along with that considering they are winless in 5 and Excelsior have won 3 of their last 4 home games only losing to PSV in the other. On that basis we are taking the value and backing Excelsior to win this game. On the correct score front we expect the home side to score a couple and due to their poor defence we think the away side will get on the scoresheet, so for that reason we are backing Excelsior to win this one 2-1.