PEC Zwolle vs De Graafschap Predictions

After winning their first three games back following the winter break, Zwolle have now drawn and lost their last two Eredivisie games and sit just a point above the relegation zone. Saturday’s opponents De Graafschap currently sit second from bottom in the table and even a win will, at best, take them to within five points of safety. Both teams look set for a difficult end to the season, but Zwolle’s form at the start of the new year suggests they have what it takes to avoid the drop and finish in mid table.

A solitary first half goal from Troupée proved enough for Den Haag to claim all three points against Zwolle last time out, and things went from bad to worse for the visitors in the second half when Namli was sent-off after receiving two bookings. De Graafschap also went down 1-0 in their last game at home to Utrecht, but on the balance of play, the hosts will have been bitterly disappointed not to have taken something from the match after having 59% of the possession and eleven shots during the ninety minutes.

The recent form of both teams and their head to head record over the last few years suggests that Zwolle are best placed to claim all three points on Saturday, and we believe they have a great chance of keeping a clean sheet as well. Zwolle have won all of their last five matches against De Graafschap and have kept two clean sheets in the last four encounters. The hosts have won three of their last five matches, while De Graafschap have lost three of their last five, but most worryingly of all for the visitors is the fact that they haven’t scored in any of their last six away games. Zwolle haven’t kept many clean sheets themselves, but they do like to attack and it’s often said that attack is the best form of defence.

Zwolle are the form favourites with three wins, one draw, and two defeats from their last six matches, and van Duinen top scores for the hosts this season with seven Eredivisie goals. El Jebli and Serrarens have scored six goals apiece in the league for De Graafschap, with the visitors heavily relying on the duo to get them their goals this season. We’re confident that Zwolle will win to nil on Saturday, and have backed a final scoreline of 2-0. The hosts have form and history in their favour, while De Graafschap have been awful away from home, failing to score a single goal in any of their last six games on the road.