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

Five days after giving Ajax a run for their money in Amsterdam, Telstar host an Eredivisie match for the first time since 1978, when PEC Zwolle visit BUKO Stadion in Friday's gameweek two clash.

Anthony Correia’s side gave the Dutch giants a fright in round one and were probably unlucky to leave the Johan Cruyff Arena empty-handed, but they hope to shake off that disappointment against one of the seven teams to have secured maximum points on the opening weekend.

Match preview

While Ajax were expected to win – and they were backed to win quite comfortably – Telstar delivered an encouraging performance in Amsterdam, which suggests the league’s new entrants will benefit from the element of surprise.

Not only did De Witte Leeuwen outshoot their illustrious hosts 18-16 on the day, but they also likely created more clear-cut opportunities; however, they were let down by their finishing, while Wout Weghorst expertly converted his chances in the 19th and 83rd minutes to secure a hard-fought victory for Ajax.

Encouraged by that display, Telstar hope to achieve their first top-flight win since 1978 on Friday, when last season's second-tier playoff winners aim to continue their commendable run of results on home turf.

Although the White Lions won only 11 of their 19 games at BUKO Stadion last season, only two of those matches ended in defeat — a 3-0 loss to FC Eindhoven in August 2024 and a 3-1 defeat to Excelsior in February — highlighting the strength of a team which had the fifth-best home record in the Eerste Divisie.

With 44 goals scored at home during the regular season — only Volendam (50) and FC Dordrecht (49) scored more — and just 16 conceded — only Excelsior (14) let in fewer — home supporters will have reason for optimism entering Friday's game.

PEC aim to disrupt that optimism and show the White Lions that playing in the top tier is a very different challenge than competing in the second division.

Henry van der Vegt's team are one of seven clubs still with a 100% record after the opening weekend, following a 1-0 victory against FC Twente in Zwolle.

It was a welcome result for Blauwvingers, especially after consecutive pre-season losses to Rayo Vallecano (5-0) and Portsmouth (1-0), and three defeats in their final four warm-up matches, where they only beat fourth-tier side TEC W.

Nevertheless, sharp-eyed supporters will be quick to remind that their team also won the final two matches of the 2024-25 top-flight season against Willem II and FC Groningen, collecting 10 points from the last 12 available to close out the previous campaign.

With this in mind, the travelling fans will hope that van der Vegt’s team can avoid defeat and extend PEC's five-match unbeaten run in the Eredivisie, while putting an end to the promoted side's hopes of their first league victory since returning to the top flight.

Telstar Eredivisie form:

PEC Zwolle Eredivisie form:

Team News

Telstar entered gameweek one in good health, and they appear to have come through unscathed against Ajax, meaning Correia has his full squad available for Friday.

Despite having few touches of the ball, Milan Zonneveld might have played a larger role in that 2-0 defeat, but the forward could not convert both chances that came his way; nonetheless, the young striker hopes to make a decisive impact in round two.

While PEC suffered no fresh injuries over the opening weekend, the away side remain without goalkeeper Jasper Schendelaar and Odysseus Velanas.

Given Tom de Graaff's performance between the sticks in the win over Twente, against whom he made four saves, Van der Vegt can be confident of another solid display from the 20-year-old goalkeeper.

After his long-range strike secured gameweek one's victory, Thijs Oosting will be hoping for a similar influence on Friday.

Telstar possible starting lineup:

Koeman; Bakker, Offerhaus, Koswal; Noslin, Rossen, Owusu, Hardveld; Hetli, Brouwer; Zonneveld

PEC Zwolle possible starting lineup:

Graff; Aertssen, Jensen, McNulty, Floranus; Thomas, Monteiro; Mbayo, Oosting, Rooij; Kostons

We say: Telstar 1-1 PEC Zwolle

While Telstar’s second division home form will be tested in the top flight, the White Lions showed enough in gameweek one to suggest they will be no pushovers in the Eredivisie.

Although PEC start Friday’s match on a three-match winning streak in the top division, considering last season’s finish, Blauwvingers’ run might come to an end, and the game could end in a draw in Velsen-Zuid.

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