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

Ajax will welcome PEC Zwolle in the Eredivisie on Saturday evening, with the reigning champions hoping to bounce back from their disappointing 1-0 defeat against Atalanta in midweek, having been eliminated from the Champions League on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Zwolle will be hoping to continue their good spell of form, after picking up an impressive 2-1 win against Vitesse last weekend.

Match preview

Ajax have had an excellent start to the 2020-21 campaign, securing nine wins thus far, with the Amsterdam outfit at the top of the Eredivisie table - two points above Vitesse.

However, Erik ten Hag's men are currently going through a rough patch, having suffered defeats in their previous three games in all competitions, including their 1-0 loss to Atalanta on Wednesday.

Despite Ajax creating some close chances in the game, Ryan Gravenberch was sent off in the latter stages of the second half, allowing Luis Muriel to score with just five minutes remaining.

They also suffered their first home defeat in the league against FC Twente last weekend as the visitors managed a 2-1 win against their opponents.

Their only other defeat this season came in matchday four, when Groningen secured a narrow 1-0 win over the champions.

PEC Zwolle, on the other hand, will be in high spirits after their latest win against high-flying Vitesse, featuring goals from Jesper Drost and Mike van Duinen.

This was their first win in nine games, with the team recording just two victories in the 2020-21 season as they occupy 11th place in the table.

However, it is worth noting that they have also picked up six draws in their opening 11 games - the most in the league alongside Utrecht.

Their away form in particular has been worrying, with John Stegeman's men failing to win any of their last 10 away matches in the league.

During their previous encounter, Ajax gained a 4-2 win against Zwolle back in November 2019, featuring a brace from both Quincy Promes and David Neres.

Ajax Eredivisie form: LWWWWW Ajax form (all competitions): LLLWWW

PEC Zwolle Eredivisie form: WDDDLD

Team News

The home side have a few injury concerns heading into this game, with the likes of Neres, Daley Blind and Lassina Traore all set to miss the upcoming match.

Summer signing Mohammed Kudus also remains on the sidelines as he continues his recovery process, after suffering from a serious leg injury earlier this year.

Zwolle, meanwhile, have just one injury going into this match, with Stegeman currently missing Slobodan Tedic.

Thomas Lam is also suspended for the game, after the defender was sent off in their 2-2 draw against VVV last month.

Ajax possible starting lineup: Onana; Mazraoui, Schuurs, Martinez, Tagliafico; Klaassen, Gravenberch; Antony, Labyad, Promes; Tadic

PEC Zwolle possible starting lineup: Zetterer; Van Wermeskerken, Kersten, Nakayama, Paal; Saymak, Strieder, Huiberts; Drost, Reijnders, Van Duinen

We say: Ajax 3-1 PEC Zwolle

Although Ajax have experienced a dip in form lately, the Dutch giants are expected to claim a comfortable victory this Saturday, with Ten Hag desperate to get his squad back to winning ways, and the hosts cannot afford to slip up again. Although Zwolle will be hoping to capitalise on Ajax's poor form, a win away in Amsterdam this weekend seems unlikely.

Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a double chance bet on a draw or an away win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.