SM
Sports Mole words bigger AMP 2
Spurs vs. Man United: 12 hrs 57 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data
PZ
PEC Zwolle
Eredivisie | Gameweek 27
Mar 31, 2024 at 11.15am UK
MAC³PARK Stadion
A
Ajax

PEC Zwolle
1 - 3
Ajax

Krastev (72')
Velanas (9'), Lam (38'), Vellios (71'), Garcia McNulty (77')
FT(HT: 0-2)
Hlynsson (12'), Akpom (24', 84')
Mannsverk (50'), Vos (89')

Preview: PEC Zwolle vs. Ajax - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: PEC Zwolle vs. Ajax - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Sunday's Eredivisie clash between PEC Zwolle and Ajax, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Sports Mole

Ajax make the trip to PEC Zwolle on Sunday morning in desperate need of three points as they bid to remain in the hunt for a top-four spot in the Eredivisie standings.

At a time when the visitors sit eight points adrift of that position, Zwolle are in 13th place after a prolonged run without a win.


Match preview

Preview: PEC Zwolle vs. Ajax - prediction, team news, lineups

Even when Ajax have been struggling at various points this season, there has been the expectation that they will eventually string together a run of results that will guarantee European qualification for 2024-25.

However, John van't Schip's side have reached a stage where they are looking at fifth place as a realistic best-case scenario, a consequence of two disappointing draws before the international break.

On both occasions, Ajax came from behind to earn a share of the spoils against Fortuna Sittard and Sparta Rotterdam respectively, yet the manner of those points being earned only highlights the magnitude of their struggles.

In all competitions, just two wins have been recorded from 11 matches since the start of February, while only four victories have been posted in 13 away fixtures in the Eredivisie.

With Feyenoord to come next weekend, there is now an urgency about reducing the eight-point gap to AZ Alkmaar, as well as fending off the chasing pack with Ajax only five points ahead of eighth spot.

On paper, making the trip to PEC Zwolle is an ideal fixture for Ajax, opponents who are in the bottom half of the table but not low enough where complacency could become a factor.

Zwolle are also on a six-match winless streak in the top flight, collecting just two points and conceding as many as 15 goals during that period.

Almost half of those strikes came against leaders PSV Eindhoven in a 7-1 defeat, and Zwolle's only point from the following three games came at home to bottom-placed FC Volendam.

If Zwolle defend the six-point advantage above the relegation zone, that will be deemed to be a successful season for Johnny Jansen's side, but he will be aware that they need to get back on track as soon as possible to make that a reality.

PEC Zwolle Eredivisie form:

Ajax Eredivisie form:


Ajax form (all competitions):



Team News

Last time out, Van't Schip went with an unusual strategy of Jordan Henderson being used in a back three and Kenneth Taylor moving to left wing-back.

The failed tactics will lead to change here, both players being deployed in central midfield, with alterations expected elsewhere courtesy of Ahmetcan Kaplan serving a ban.

Devyne Rensch and Jakov Medic could be used in defence, Borna Sosa should return at left wing-back, and Steven Bergwijn and Chuba Akpom are in line for chances in the final third as Brian Brobbey struggles with a hamstring injury.

With PEC Zwolle possessing a lengthy injury list, Jensen may opt to name a similar side to the team that lost 3-1 at Fortuna Sittard.

Lennart Thy could drop into a deeper role to facilitate the return of Apostolos Vellios, who came off the bench to provide the assist for Thy's consolation goal in that game, with Filip Krastev potentially missing out.


PEC Zwolle possible starting lineup:
Schendelaar; Polen, Kersten, Lam, McNulty; Azzouzi, Van den Berg; Water, Thy, Velanas; Vellios

Ajax possible starting lineup:
Ramaj; Rensch, Medic, Hato; Gaaei, Henderson, Van Boomen, Sosa; Bergwijn, Taylor; Akpom


We say: PEC Zwolle 1-3 Ajax

Only wins will do for Ajax from this stage onwards, yet we expect them to have to battle for maximum points here. Nevertheless, that is exactly what they need, and a hard-fought victory could stand them in good stead going forward.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




body check tags ::

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


amp_article__540021 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2024-03-30 17:57:37:
html db last update - 2024-03-30 17:57:37 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Read more!
Share this article now:


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
Ajax 'exploring summer move for Aston Villa starlet'
Do Ruben Amorim's comments suggest he wants to keep or sell "talented" Rashford?
Diallo, Isak and who else? Sports Mole's Premier League Team of the Week
Preview: Ajax vs. Telstar - prediction, team news, lineups
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1PSV EindhovenPSV16140256134342
2Ajax16113235161936
3FC UtrechtUtrecht1611323223936
4Feyenoord16105140182235
5FC Twente1694332201231
6AZ AlkmaarAZ1692530171329
7Go Ahead Eagles166462826222
8Fortuna SittardSittard166462023-322
9NAC BredaNAC Breda167181825-722
10Heerenveen166371728-1121
11Willem II165471718-119
12NECNijmegen165292220217
13PEC Zwolle164481525-1016
14Groningen164481426-1216
15Heracles163581833-1514
16Sparta RotterdamSparta162681424-1012
17RKC WaalwijkRKC Waalwijk1613121740-236
18Almere CityAlmere City161312737-306
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Arsenal defender to leave in the summer after club decide against new contract

1

AD
Arsenal defender to leave in the summer after club decide against new contract

History made! Real Madrid triumph in inaugural FIFA Intercontinental Cup

2

HM
History made! Real Madrid triumph in inaugural FIFA Intercontinental Cup

Preview: Hauts Lyonnais vs. Toulouse - prediction, team news, lineups

3

PH
Preview: Hauts Lyonnais vs. Toulouse - prediction, team news, lineups

The top 10 football matches of all time

4

TT
The top 10 football matches of all time

Team News: Chelsea vs. Shamrock injury, suspension list, predicted XIs

5

TN
Team News: Chelsea vs. Shamrock injury, suspension list, predicted XIs

Preview: Bayern vs. RB Leipzig - prediction, team news, lineups

6

PB
Preview: Bayern vs. RB Leipzig - prediction, team news, lineups

Team News: Spurs vs. Man Utd injury, suspension list, predicted XIs

7

TN
Team News: Spurs vs. Man Utd injury, suspension list, predicted XIs

Ancelotti makes history in Real Madrid's Intercontinental Cup success

8

AM
Ancelotti makes history in Real Madrid's Intercontinental Cup success

"I don't agree" - Arsenal legend dismisses Arteta "safety-first" argument

9

&D

Help for Hojlund: Rashford, Zirkzee exits 'could open door' for Man United to land striker

10

HF
1x1


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .