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

The first round of the new Eredivisie season continues on Sunday as PEC Zwolle welcome FC Twente to the MAC3PARK Stadium.

The Bluefingers are embarking on their third straight season in the top tier, while the Tukkers will be looking to improve on last season’s sixth-placed finish.

Match preview

With modest financial resources at their disposal, it is hard to expect more from Zwolle than what they are already delivering.

Despite enjoying two decent campaigns – finishing 12th and 10th – the club decided against renewing manager Johnny Jansen’s contract, citing their desire for a ‘new face’ to take over.

Every cloud has a silver lining, and for Jansen, the future is bright. We mean that in the literal sense of the word, considering the Dutchman secured a job with Indonesian side Bali United.

Henry van der Vegt, who worked as Jansen’s assistant, has taken over the vacancy at Zwolle and will be looking to make his mark in what will be his first managerial gig.

Considering Zwolle’s poor run of results in pre-season and their limited activity in the transfer market, the new coach appears to have a big challenge on his hands.

While things are looking difficult for Zwolle, FC Twente enter the season in rather confident fashion.

The club finished sixth in the Eredivisie last term, which is not bad going considering the Tukkers had to balance domestic and European duties.

Failure to qualify for a continental competition could work in their favour, with league matters now occupying the club’s full and undivided attention.

Joseph Oosting, who has been at the helm since the summer of 2023, heads into the new campaign looking to challenge some of the Dutch giants, including PSV Eindhoven and Ajax Amsterdam.

It has been a couple of years since Twente last finished the season on the podium, and the Reds will be looking to rediscover that winning mentality.

PEC Zwolle pre-season form:

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FC Twente pre-season form:

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Team News

Zwolle have not only made changes to the management team, but they have also embarked on a huge overhaul of players.

Mike Hauptmeijer, for instance, followed his old manager to Bali, while the likes of Anouar El Azzouzi, Filip Krastev, Younes Namli and Dylan Vente have gone to various clubs across the continent.

As things stand, the club have made a handful of signings, bringing in the likes of Thijs Oosting, Koen Kostons, and Tom de Graaff – all three of whom are expected to feature.

Twente, on the other hand, have been somewhat rocked by the transfer saga surrounding Michel Vlap. The player was excluded from training ahead of his impending exit and will not take part in Sunday’s fixture.

In better news, Sam Lammers has returned to training at the start of the week and should be available for the trip to Zwolle.

PEC Zwolle possible starting lineup: Schendelaar; Floranus, Graves, Garcia MacNulty, Lutonda; Velanas, Reijnders, Oosting; Mbayo, Kostons, Lagsir

FC Twente possible starting lineup: Unnerstall; Van Rooij, Propper, Hilgers, Van Hoorenbeeck; Van den Belt, Zerrouki, Eiting; Van Bergen, Lammers, Rots