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

With their survival hopes hanging by a thread, PEC Zwolle welcome FC Utrecht to the Mac3Park Stadion on Saturday in round 32 of the 2021-22 Eredivisie season.

Meanwhile, the away side come into this one looking to guarantee a place in the semi-finals of the Conference League playoffs.

Match preview

Utrecht ended a six-game league winless run courtesy of a 1-0 victory over NEC Nijmegen at the Stadion Galgenwaard on Friday.

Anastasios Douvikas's opener in the 77th minute was enough to hand Rene Hake's men all three points in a hard-fought contest.

The Domstedelingen currently sit seventh in the Eredivisie table, nine points clear of nearest challengers Groningen.

Their next task sees them go up against an opposing outfit who are yet to win any of the last six meetings between the teams.

Off the back of an emphatic 5-1 victory in the reverse fixture, Saturday's visitors will feel confident of doing the double over their hosts this weekend.

Zwolle failed to pick up a third win on the bounce following a 3-0 defeat to Ajax at the Johan Cruyff ArenA on Saturday.

Dusan Tadic broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark to leave Dick Schreuder's men trailing at the interval before Davy Klaassen's second-half double sealed the deal.

The Blauwvingers remain in the relegation zone as it stands albeit just three points adrift of safety with as many games left to play.

Having scored the fewest number of goals on home turf where they will play two of their final three matches, Saturday's hosts must up the ante at the attacking end of the field to stand a good chance of beating the drop.

Team News

Once again, Zwolle will be without Sam Kersten and Samir Lagsir as they continue to nurse knee injuries, while Dean Huiberts is out through an ankle problem.

Mustafa Saymak is also unavailable for this weekend's hosts having missed the last five games due to a muscle injury.

Reda Akmum, Christopher Mamengi and Tommy St Jago are all down with knee problems and will Saturday's contest as a result.

Meanwhile, Sander van de Streek is expected to return to action after sitting out Utrecht's last outing.

Off the back of his first goal in 13 games, Anastasios Douvikas sets out to find the back of the net in consecutive games for the first time since February.

PEC Zwolle possible starting lineup:

Lamprou; De Wit, Nakayama, Van Polen; Paal, Clement, Van den Belt, Anderson; Redan, Darfalou, Kastaneer

FC Utrecht possible starting lineup:

De Keijzer; Van der Kust, Janssen, Van der Hoorn, Ter Avest; Timber, Maher, Shein; Douvikas, Gustafson, Boussaid

We say: PEC Zwolle 1-1 FC Utrecht

Zwolle have all to play for in this one and the onus will be on them to take control of proceedings. That said, Utrecht are in better form heading into the game, and we are backing a share of the spoils.