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

Hoping to avoid an eighth league defeat on the bounce, VVV-Venlo travel to the MAC³PARK Stadion to take on PEC Zwolle on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the home side have lost four of their last five Eredivisie games, so like their visitors, they are also going through a rough patch.

Match preview

Zwolle were beaten by Ajax on Sunday as the league leaders cruised to a 2-0 victory courtesy of first-half goals from David Neres and Nicolas Tagliafico. Since the turn of the year, the Blauwvingers have picked up just 10 points from a possible 36, and they have slipped down to 13th place as a result.

Bert Konterman's wait for his first victory in charge goes on as he seeks to steady what is fast becoming a sinking ship.

Recent meetings between Saturday's opponents give nothing away as the last 16 editions have produced five wins apiece and six draws.

Notwithstanding, the hosts are unbeaten in their last three games on home turf, so they will fancy themselves to get something out of the match.

VVV-Venlo extended their losing streak to seven league matches following a 3-1 defeat to Sparta Rotterdam at De Koel on Sunday.

Giorgos Giakoumakis's 27th goal in all competitions cancelled out Lisandro Semedo's first-half opener, before strikes from Mats Seuntjens and Zian Flemming decided the contest.

Hans de Koning's men are on a downward spiral as they are now 15th in the Eredivisie table, only a point above the relegation zone.

If results do not improve in the coming weeks, then the Yellow Black Army's four-year spell in the top flight is in danger of coming to an end.

Team News

VVV's Tristan Dekker is a long way off making his return to action as he continues to nurse a muscle tear, and he will miss the game.

Zinedine Machach remains on the sidelines after he hobbled off with a knee problem earlier in the month against Vitesse.

Slobodan Tedic came off the bench to make his comeback from a rib injury last time out, but a start in this might just be too soon for him.

Sai van Wermeskerken put in a superb performance for Zwolle against Groningen, but that came at a personal cost as he sustained a calf injury.

PEC Zwolle possible starting lineup:

Zetterer; Nakayama, Van Polen, Kersten, Paal; Huiberts, Lam, Reijnders; Pherai, Buitink, Misidjan

VVV-Venlo possible starting lineup:

Kirschbaum; Guwara, Da Graca, Gelmi, Pachonik; Linthorst, Janssen, Post; Shabani, Giakoumakis, Hunte

We say: PEC Zwolle 1-1 VVV-Venlo

In most games between two teams in bad form, the fear of losing is usually greater than the thought of winning. We expect a cagey affair in this one and ultimately, a share of the spoils.