Willem II welcome PEC Zwolle to the Koning Willem II Stadion on Friday evening looking to move away from the Eredivisie's bottom two.
Meanwhile, the visitors head into this encounter on the back of two straight defeats, results which have moved the club down to 13th position in the standings.
Match preview
With Emmen so far off the pace, Willem II and the teams around them have no immediate concerns about dropping to the foot of the standings.
Nevertheless, the Tricolores have now gone nine matches without success in all competitions, heaping the pressure on manager Adrie Koster.
On the plus side, performances are improving, and a comeback draw away at rivals RKC Waalwijk on Sunday has ensured that they remain within four points of their recent hosts.
Kwasi Okyere Wriedt netted his side's equaliser in that fixture, taking his return to three goals from seven appearances since being brought into the team in December.
Opponents PEC Zwolle had seemed to be on an upward trajectory after collecting seven points from their four fixtures during December.
However, after beginning the year with a point against AZ Alkmaar, defeats to Feyenoord and Fortuna Sittard have left Zwolle having to worry about a potential relegation battle.
Success on Friday night would change that perspective, but that could prove to be a difficult task for a team who have failed to score in 261 minutes.
With no matches against the title-chasing sides to come until March 14, Zwolle will have plenty of chances to make headway up the table over the next seven weeks.
That said, John Stegeman will be desperate to get back on track as soon as possible, aware that a third straight setback will only give encouragement to the teams below them.
Willem II Eredivisie form: LLDLLD
Willem II form (all competitions): LLDLLD
PEC Zwolle Eredivisie form: LDWDLL
PEC Zwolle form (all competitions): LDWDLL
Team News
Mike Tresor and Mats Kohlert are in contention to start for Willem II after being introduced as half-time substitutes against Waalwijk.
Goalkeeper Robbin Ruiter and defender Miquel Nelom remain as the only absentees for the home side.
Zwolle boss Stegeman could opt to make a number of alterations after the recent setback against Sittard.
Yuta Nakayama, Immanuel Pherai and Virgil Misidjan are among the players who could be introduced into the team.
Willem II possible starting lineup:
Brondeel; Owusu, Holmen, Heijden, Kohn; Heerkens, Llonch; Nunnely, Tresor, Pavlidis; Wriedt
PEC Zwolle possible starting lineup:
Zetterer; Wermeskerken, Kersten, Nakayama, Paal; Lam, Strieder, Huiberts; Misidjan, Clement, Pherai
We say: Willem II 1-1 PEC Zwolle
Having already recorded eight draws this season, Zwolle will be happy enough with a ninth share of the spoils. Even though the home side will likely show more urgency in search of victory, we expect this contest to end level after 90 minutes.
Top betting tip
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