Preview: PEC Zwolle vs FC Utrecht - prediction, team news, lineups

Fifth-placed PEC Zwolle will host FC Utrecht, who are just one spot behind them on the Eredivisie table, on Sunday at the MacPark Stadion.

The hosts have had a great start to their season and will hope to continue in that form, but they will have to contend with their visitors, who will seek for a first away win of the season.

Match preview

Zwolle have been one of the early surprise packages, winning both of their opening matches to sit fifth in the table, just three points behind early leaders NEC Nijmegen.

The hosts have yet to concede a goal in the league and have been one of the surprise packages, underlining the organisation and defensive resilience instilled by Ron Jans.

With maximum points from all their league games so far, they will enter this contest full of confidence and eager to maintain their momentum.

Successive victories over Twente and Telstar have provided Zwolle with a solid platform, and their supporters will expect another strong showing at home.

Their ability to stay compact at the back while being efficient in attack has set them apart in the early stages of the season.

This match presents a valuable opportunity for Zwolle to reinforce their ambitions of staying in the top half of the league and send a clear message that they are capable of competing with more established sides.

Zwolle’s defensive record is one of the best in the league at this stage, and it will be tested against a Utrecht side that have shown flashes of attacking quality.

The hosts’ focus will be on maintaining their discipline while capitalising on Utrecht’s recent defensive struggles.

Having kept two clean sheets and scored freely in their last two outings, Zwolle appear well-prepared to handle this challenge and potentially strengthen their position in the table.

Utrecht travel to Zwolle sitting sixth, having played a game more than their hosts, but they will be striving for points on the road so they can leapfrog their hosts in the table.

Their form has been inconsistent, with two wins and one defeat from three matches, but a convincing 4-1 victory over Excelsior in their last Eredivisie game showed what they are capable of.

They have already conceded three goals in the league, a statistic that will concern them against an unbeaten Zwolle side, who will look to trouble them.

Historically, Utrecht have held the upper hand in this fixture, winning three of their last five meetings, and they will look to draw on that record for confidence.

Despite their defensive issues, Utrecht remain dangerous going forward, and this match offers a chance to prove they can match Zwolle’s early-season momentum.

PEC Zwolle Eredivisie form:

W W

FC Utrecht Eredivisie form:

L W

FC Utrecht form (all competitions):

W W L W W D

Team News

PEC Zwolle manager Henry van der Vegt will once again look to Koen Kostons to provide the attacking threat, with the forward already leading the club’s scoring charts on two goals this season.

Kaj de Rooij has been equally influential, registering two assists and establishing himself as the team’s creative spark.

Their partnership has been central to Zwolle’s strong start, and both players are expected to play key roles as the hosts look to maintain their perfect record.

However, Zwolle will be without Tristan Gooijer, Odysseus Velanas, and first-choice goalkeeper Jasper Schendelaar, all of whom remain sidelined through injury.

New arrivals Jan Faberski and Gooijer are still working towards full fitness but could feature in some capacity, offering van der Vegt additional depth as the season progresses.

Utrecht’s preparations have also been hampered by injuries, with centre-back Mike Eerdhuijzen ruled out alongside Yoan Cathline, Ivar Jenner, and Dani de Wit.

Manager Ron Jans will be forced to rotate his options at the back, which could make them vulnerable against a Zwolle side in form.

Jans will be hopeful that Victor Jensen, who scored twice in that victory, will be fit to lead the line and provide the goals that his team will definitely need against a stubborn defensive side like Zwolle.

Utrecht’s ability to break down their hosts' well-drilled defence could hinge on Jensen’s availability, and his partnership with the midfield will be crucial in their attempt to disrupt their perfect start.

PEC Zwolle possible starting lineup:

De Graaff: Monteiro, Floranus, Aertssen, Graves; Mbayo, MacNulty; Oosting, Thomas, Kostons; De Rooij

FC Utrecht possible starting lineup:

Barkas; Horemans, El Karouani, Engwanda, Van de Hoorn; Viegever, Jensen, Zechiel; Min, Rodriguez, Blake

We say: PEC Zwolle 1-2 FC Utrecht

Zwolle have made a promising start to the season, but they face a resurgent Utrecht side determined to halt their momentum. It promises to be a tight encounter, yet the visitors look likely to edge it and take all three points.

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