Matchday four of the 2024-25 Eredivisie season sees PEC Zwolle and Heracles go head-to-head at the MAC3PARK Stadion on Sunday afternoon.
Both teams are yet to hit the ground running this term as they head into this weekend's encounter still in search of their first victory after three matches.
Match preview
PEC Zwolle ended the last campaign on a rough patch, but securing top-flight safety was their ultimate goal, which they managed with room to spare, finishing seven points clear of the drop zone.
However, Johnny Jansen's men have carried over last term's struggles to the new season after coming away empty-handed yet again in Saturday's narrow 1-0 defeat to NEC Nijmegen at Stadion de Goffert.
In stark contrast to a 5-1 demolition at the hands of Feyenoord in round two, De Blauwvingers were breached on only one occasion this time around, but it was enough to yield a third straight defeat.
Zwolle could really do with a change in fortune at both ends of the pitch, having found the back of the net just once across their opening matches while letting in seven goals.
Sunday's hosts are one of three sides without a point to their name so far, and they will be keen to kickstart their league journey at the fourth time of asking against an opposing side who have been beaten in three of the last four meetings.
Heracles had to settle for a share of the spoils last time out courtesy of a 1-1 stalemate against newly promoted Willem II at the Asito Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Erwin van de Looi's men were in the ascendancy for large spells of the contest but could not press home their advantage after taking the lead through Juho Talvitie 12 minutes before the interval.
Draws against Sparta Rotterdam and Willem II either side of a defeat to reigning champions PSV Eindhoven have seen De Poupers pick up two points from three matches to sit 14th in the Eredivisie table.
Since beating Sparta 2-1 in early April, Heracles are now winless in 13 straight matches, leaving the Almelo-based outfit with some soul-searching to do heading into the first international break of the season.
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- D
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Team News
Tristan Gooijer and Samir Lagsir are both ruled out for Zwolle through knee injuries, while Braydon Manu continues to nurse a muscle problem.
The home side will also be unable to call on the services of defender Thierry Lutonda, who was sent off for two bookable offences against NEC.
Damian van der Haar came off the bench in the aforementioned game but could make his first start of the campaign this weekend in place of the suspended Lutonda.
Heracles trio Jan Zamburek, Justin Hoogma and Jizz Hornkamp are all unavailable this weekend as they continue to nurse respective knee problems.
Sava-Arangel Cestic and Diego van Oorschot also miss out through ankle and muscle injuries respectively, but the latter is closing in on a return to action.
PEC Zwolle possible starting lineup:
Schendelaar; Van der Haar, MacNulty, Graves, Reijnders; El Azzouzi, Fichtinger; Krastev, Van den Berg, Velanas; Vente
Heracles possible starting lineup:
De Keijzer; Benita, Mirani, Mesik, Roosken; Talvitie, De Keersmaecker, Van Kaam, Limbombe; Engels, Zand
We say: PEC Zwolle 2-1 Heracles
There is little confidence across both camps ahead of Sunday's meeting, but we expect an entertaining affair nonetheless.
We also fancy Zwolle to see off the challenge of Heracles and get their league season up and running.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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