Saturday's late kick-off in the Eredivisie will see PEC Zwolle welcome Sparta Rotterdam in what could be a key fixture in the relegation battle. Read on for our PEC Zwolle vs Sparta Rotterdam predictions, odds and more.
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PEC Zwolle vs Sparta Rotterdam prediction: Struggling for form
Key stats:
- Sparta Rotterdam have not kept a clean sheet all season.
- Sparta have the eighth best away record in the league.
- Zwolle have lost two of their last three home games.
Correct score prediction: PEC Zwolle 1-2 Sparta Rotterdam
Both of these sides come into this clash in poor form, and have slid into perilous positions in the Eredivisie table. Despite sitting a point below their visitors, we back Sparta Rotterdam to spring a surprise and leave with all three points.
This is because of Sparta's solid away record, and their variance in front of goal. Despite starting this game in the drop zone, expected goal differential has them as the ninth-best side in the league.
Pre-game odds and win probability: A tight affair
HOME: 7/4 (2.75) – 36.4%
DRAW: 5/2 (3.50) – 28.6%
AWAY: 7/5 (2.40) – 41.7%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
The bookmakers do not have a clear expected winner in this game, but favour Sparta Rotterdam. Their odds of 7/5 imply a 41.7% likelihood of victory, a verdict we endorse.
Feel free to take a look at our football betting tips page to check out our other predictions and tips!
Latest H2Hs: Too close to call
In-keeping with the bookmakers' odds, this pair's recent clashes have all been closely fought encounters.
In their last five, both have two wins each, and have shared the points on one other occasion.
Netherlands Eredivisie 04/02/24
Sparta Rotterdam
PEC Zwolle
Netherlands Eredivisie 12/08/23
PEC Zwolle
Sparta Rotterdam
Europe Friendlies 14/07/23
Sparta Rotterdam
PEC Zwolle
Netherlands Eredivisie 11/05/22
Sparta Rotterdam
PEC Zwolle
Netherlands Eredivisie 22/09/21
PEC Zwolle
Sparta Rotterdam
PEC Zwolle preview: Can they avoid the relegation battle?
Zwolle are no strangers to a relegation battle, having finished in the top half just once in the last nine years.
However, with just one win in six and no clean sheets in eight games, the drop zone will be a little too close for comfort coming into this one.
Nine of Zwolle's 12 points have come at home, and they will hope that record can get them out of this sticky spot.
Predicted lineup: Schendelaar (GK), Floranus, Aertsson, El Azzouzzi, van den Berg, Namli, Monteiro, Mbayo, Vente
Netherlands Eredivisie 11/05/25
D
Go Ahead Eagles
1
PEC Zwolle
1
Netherlands Eredivisie 04/05/25
W
NAC
1
PEC Zwolle
3
Netherlands Eredivisie 25/04/25
L
Feyenoord
4
PEC Zwolle
0
Netherlands Eredivisie 13/04/25
D
FC Twente
1
PEC Zwolle
1
Netherlands Eredivisie 05/04/25
D
Almere City FC
2
PEC Zwolle
2
Sparta Rotterdam preview: Lacking in both boxes
Sparta Rotterdam find themselves in the drop zone after 13 games, largely because of their inefficiencies in both penalty areas.
De Kasteelheren have conceded 5.4 more goals than one would anticipate from their expected goals against, and scored 2.3 fewer than their expected goals for would suggest.
Such underperformance can only last so long, so we expect them to be back on track soon.
Predicted lineup: Olij (GK), Reith, Young, Eerdhuizen, van Aanholt, Kitolano, Baas, Kayky, Verschueren, Neghli, Lauritsen
Netherlands Eredivisie 10/05/25
W
Almere City FC
0
Sparta Rotterdam
3
Netherlands Eredivisie 04/05/25
L
FC Twente
2
Sparta Rotterdam
0
Netherlands Eredivisie 27/04/25
D
Ajax
1
Sparta Rotterdam
1
Netherlands Eredivisie 12/04/25
W
Heerenveen
1
Sparta Rotterdam
3
Netherlands Eredivisie 06/04/25
W
NEC
0
Sparta Rotterdam
2
Player to watch: Arno Verschueren
Our player to watch coming into this one is Sparta's goalscoring midfielder, Arno Verschueren.
Verscheuren is actually yet to score this season, but has scored 19 goals over the last two seasons from midfield.
The Belgian has also racked up 1.94 xG, so we back him to break his duck and make a difference in this one.