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Ajax travel to Mac3Park Stadion looking to start the new Eredivisie season with all three points against PEC Zwolle on Sunday.
Now under the guidance of Michel, De Godenzonen are hoping to end their four-year wait for the league title. Zwolle, meanwhile, will look to secure top-flight safety with greater comfort after finishing 15th last season.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
PEC Zwolle vs. Ajax key stats
- Ajax have won each of their last six matches and are unbeaten in their last eight.
- Entertainment has been a feature of Ajax's recent matches, with at least three goals scored in each of their last five affairs.
- Zwolle are without a clean sheet in their last six outings.
- They have also conceded the opening goal in each of those matches.
PEC Zwolle vs. Ajax preview: Start of a new era in Amsterdam
PEC Zwolle vs. Ajax — Tale of the Tape
| PEC Zwolle | vs | Ajax |
|---|---|---|
| N/A | Position | N/A |
| N/A | Points | N/A |
| N/A | Goals For | N/A |
| N/A | Goals Against | N/A |
| N/A | Clean Sheets | N/A |
| N/A | Home / Away Rank | N/A |
Ajax's 2025-26 campaign was among the most underwhelming in recent club history, as they finished fifth with 56 points, just a season after pushing PSV Eindhoven to the final day in the 2024-25 title race.
John Heitinga’s appointment proved disastrous, with the 42-year-old lasting only a few months in charge. Fred Grim also endured a disappointing and brief spell, as did Oscar Garcia, though the latter at least secured a place in the Conference League qualifiers.
Looking to extend their eight-year run in Europe, Ajax are now just 90 minutes away from reaching the Conference League play-offs after a 3-1 first-leg victory over Shelbourne in their third-round qualifying tie.
With the return leg to come next week, De Godenzonen now turn their focus to domestic matters and will be eager to make an early statement after failing to win any of their final three league games last season.
This weekend’s venue has been a happy hunting ground for Ajax, who are unbeaten in their last 11 visits, recording nine straight wins, bookended by 1-1 and 0-0 draws.
With just four points from their final six league matches last season, Zwolle were fortunate to have already established some breathing room above the drop zone, preventing them from being dragged into a relegation battle.
De Blauwvingers will have concerns over how the 2025-26 campaign ended, but they have opted to keep faith with Henry van der Vegt, who recently marked one year in charge.
The 54-year-old knows a strong start to the season is needed to silence any doubts, but Zwolle's opening run of fixtures looks daunting, with Twente, Heerenveen, NEC, Sparta Rotterdam and Feyenoord to follow Sunday's opener.
Having conceded first in eight of their last 10 meetings with Ajax, Zwolle cannot afford a slow start if they are to avoid falling behind for a seventh consecutive game.
PEC Zwolle vs. Ajax form guide & betting tips
| PEC Zwolle | vs | Ajax |
|---|---|---|
N/A |
Form | N/A |
| N/A | Points | N/A |
| N/A | Form Table | N/A |
| N/A | Goals For | N/A |
| N/A | Goals Against | N/A |
L
W
L
L
|
Form (All Comps) | W
W
W
W
W
|
Whispers predicts: PEC Zwolle 1-3 Ajax
With one eye on their upcoming European tie, Ajax may rotate their starting XI, but should still have enough quality to overcome Zwolle at 1/2 (1.50).
Recent meetings between these sides have been low-scoring, with just eight goals in the last five encounters. However, that trend could change here, so over 2.5 goals at 8/17 (1.47) is worth considering.
Neither Ajax nor Zwolle have been involved in particularly fiery contests of late, making under 4.5 cards an appealing selection.
Picking up where he left off last season, Mika Godts has registered one goal and two assists in three competitive appearances so far, and is 2/5 (1.40) to score or assist in this match.
> Ajax to win at at 1/2 (1.50) | Likelihood: Very likely
> Under 4.5 cards | Likelihood: Probable
> Mika Godts to score or assist anytime at 2/5 (1.40) | Likelihood: Probable
> Over 2.5 goals at 8/17 (1.47) | Likelihood: Probable