PEC Zwolle vs Heracles – News and Probable Lineups

Heracles will visit the MAC3PARK Stadion on Sunday for their first game since being relegated from the Eredivisie, where they will take on PEC Zwolle.

With only a four-point cushion above the relegation zone, the home team is looking to distance themselves from the threat of falling into the second tier alongside their opponents next season.

Match overview

Although PEC Zwolle has only managed to secure one win in their last four outings, they ended March unbeaten, climbing to 12th in the table, eight points behind the European qualification spots as they head into the final six matches.

A heavy 5-0 defeat to Go Ahead Eagles at the start of April was far from ideal, but Henry van der Vegt’s squad responded with a 2-2 draw against Excelsior, only to then suffer a crushing 6-1 loss on April 30—this time against reigning champions PSV Eindhoven.

Having been in a relatively comfortable position, De Blauwvingers might find themselves dragged into a relegation battle, potentially finishing matchday 32 just outside the relegation zone, depending on other results if they fail to secure a win this weekend.

Although it seems unlikely they would lose at home to the league’s bottom club, the memory of November’s earlier encounter serves as a harsh reminder—Zwolle suffered an 8-2 defeat to a Heracles team struggling with just one win in ten at that time.

Nonetheless, the home side has shown resilience at MAC3PARK Stadion lately, losing just one of their last eight home games and collecting 25 of their total 34 points on their own turf.

For a considerable time, Heracles’ relegation to the Eerste Divisie seemed inevitable, and their 2-0 loss against fellow relegation battlers FC Volendam confirmed their drop.

Heracles bounced back to secure promotion at the first attempt following their 2022 relegation, but Ernest Faber’s squad will require substantial improvement to achieve similar success this time around.

All season long, defensive weaknesses have haunted Heracles, with a staggering total of 79 goals conceded—outpacing any other team in the division by at least 13.

With no stakes left to play for, the Heraclieden can now approach their matches without pressure—perhaps providing some liberty to an attack that has been unable to score in six of their last nine fixtures.

More than a quarter of Heracles’ 34 goals this season came during that November demolition of Zwolle, marking their second consecutive victory in this matchup. However, they have not won in their last five visits to the MAC3PARK Stadion.

Heracles and Zwolle hold the top two spots for goals conceded in the last 15 minutes of matches, suggesting that late dramatics could unfold this weekend.

Team News

PEC Zwolle will be without Shola Shoretire, Jan Faberski, David Woute, Jamiro Monteiro, and Samir Lagsir, all sidelined by knee injuries.

Jasper Schendelaar has not participated since October due to a thigh problem and remains unavailable, while Damian van der Haar and Jadiel Pereira de Gama are also anticipated to miss out.

Thijs Oosting and Odysseus Velanas have been on target in Zwolle’s last two home matches and will look to make another significant impact this weekend.

Fabian De Keijzer (hip) and Mike te Wierik (ankle) are confirmed absentees for Heracles, with the former yet to play since January.

However, Tristan van Gilst is a doubt for the visitors after being substituted just before the hour mark against Volendam.

PEC Zwolle probable starting XI:

De Graaff; Aertssen, Graves, MacNulty, Floranus; Thomas, Neighbor Master; Namli, Osting, Velanas; Costs

Heracles probable starting XI:

feather key; Mesik, Van Hoorenbeeck, Mirani, Cestic; Scheperman, Bruns; English, Hrustic, Ahlstrand; Seafish

Zwolle will undoubtedly be haunted by November’s 8-2 defeat, and Sunday offers them a chance for retribution.

While it is improbable that the hosts will deliver another six-goal thrashing, we anticipate them securing all three points with relative comfort.