Go Ahead Eagles vs PEC Zwolle – News and Probable Lineups

On Sunday, Go Ahead Eagles will welcome PEC Zwolle, aiming for a victory that would likely ensure their survival in the top division for the next season.

Currently, the home team occupies the 13th position in the Eredivisie table, while the visitors are just one spot and one point ahead in 12th place.

Match overview

Following the conclusion of their Europa League and KNVB Beker campaigns earlier this year, Go Ahead Eagles have shifted their focus towards securing their status in the top flight and pursuing a spot in the European playoffs.

Holding a five-point cushion over the relegation zone, their main goal remains to secure their place in the Eredivisie for another 12 months, although they may need at least five victories from their last six fixtures to contend for a top-eight finish.

This necessity arises after they suffered two losses in their last three matches, including a 4-1 defeat at home to FC Twente, followed by a 2-0 loss away to FC Utrecht prior to the international break in March.

Their 6-0 victory against NAC Breda, situated between these two defeats, could prove crucial in their battle against relegation, yet there have been reports suggesting that this game might need to be replayed due to Go Ahead Eagles fielding an ineligible player.

At the moment, this remains a matter of speculation, but Melvin Boel’s squad has lost just three out of their 14 league encounters at De Adelaarshorst during the 2025-26 season.

On the other hand, PEC Zwolle has managed to establish a five-match undefeated streak that may be sufficient to steer clear of relegation troubles.

Four consecutive draws against FC Utrecht, Ajax, Sparta Rotterdam, and Groningen were succeeded by a 2-1 win over NAC Breda before the international break.

Henry van der Vegt’s team now sits six points above the relegation zone, yet they head to Go Ahead Eagles with only one victory from 14 away league encounters.

Their solitary success came at Telstar in their initial away match of the season. Despite a 13-game streak without an away win, PEC Zwolle has still netted a total of 20 goals.

Team News

For Go Ahead Eagles, players such as Gerrit Nauber and Robbin Weijenberg are unavailable due to injury and won’t be returning for this match.

Boel might consider adjusting his formation after the loss against Utrecht, with Thiho Baeten potentially taking up a position on one of the wings.

There’s also a possibility for Evert Lindhorst to be reintroduced into midfield. If any changes are made, Jakob Breum and Jaden Slory seem most likely to be omitted from the lineup.

Unless new injury problems arise, Van der Vegt could prefer to keep his PEC Zwolle starting XI unchanged.

Kaj de Rooij, with six goals and five assists this season, presents a clear option over Odysseus Velanas, though his replacement in the last match contributed a goal and an assist.

However, Jamiro Monteiro and Shola Shoretire are anticipated to remain sidelined for the visitors.

Go Ahead Eagles probable starting XI:

Buses; Adelgaard, Dirksen, Kramer, James; Meulensteen, Lindhorst; Baeten, Edvardsen, Suray; Sigurdarson

PEC Zwolle probable starting XI:

Graaff; Gooijer, Velthuis, MacNulty, Floranus; Thomas, Neighbor; Namli, Oosting, Velanas; Kostons

Both teams are performing reasonably well in the lower half of the table, suggesting a hard-fought encounter is on the horizon. Considering PEC Zwolle’s recent string of draws, another stalemate is certainly possible; however, we anticipate that Go Ahead Eagles will narrowly triumph in this matchup.