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

Bottom-placed PEC Zwolle play host to Groningen in the Eredivisie on Sunday looking to extend their unbeaten streak to five matches.

While Groningen sit in 10th position in the standings, there are just nine points separating them to their upcoming hosts.

Match preview

After heading into the Christmas break having won just one league game all season, it was felt that Zwolle were certainties to get relegated to the second tier.

However, the Bluefingers have been magnificent since the turn of the year, collecting 10 points from four matches to put themselves within five points of moving outside of the relegation positions.

Dick Schreuder has required time to make his mark at the MAC³PARK Stadion since his arrival in November, but there is now real hope that they can avoid demotion to the second tier.

As many as eight goals have been scored during four games, half of which came during the thrilling 4-3 victory at Cambuur last time out.

Former Chelsea youngster and ex-Groningen loanee Daishawn Redan has starred in recent games, contributing two goals and two assists in 166 minutes of action.

In comparison to the last campaign, Groningen have under-performed over the past six months, and their current focus is very much on avoiding a relegation battle.

Danny Buijs's side currently sit just six points above 16th place with four defeats having come in their last six outings, the most recent occurring last weekend at home to Fortuna Sittard.

On a positive note, wins over Vitesse and Go Ahead Eagles remain fresh in the memory with Jorgen Strand Larsen netting three times to take him to nine goals for the season.

The reverse fixture between these two clubs took place as recently as December 3, with a 1-1 draw being played out.

Team News

Despite last weekend's dramatic win at Cambuur, Zwolle boss Schreuder will give consideration to naming an unchanged starting lineup.

Thomas van den Belt may potentially return in place of Dean Huiberts, although Siemen Voet is absent due to suspension.

Groningen will have to make do without Radinio Balker for this contest due to injury, but Buijs may make alterations to his team.

Versatile Mohamed El Hankouri is an alternative in the defensive areas of the pitch, while Cyril Ngonge could be drafted back into the final third.

PEC Zwolle possible starting lineup:
Lamprou; Polen, Nakayama, Van der Werff; Reijnders, Huiberts, Saymak, Clement, De Wit; Redan, Darfalou

Groningen possible starting lineup:
Leeuwenburgh; Dankerlui, Te Wierik, Hintum, Meijer; Kasanwirjo, Duarte; Suslov, De Leeuw, Abraham; Larsen

We say: PEC Zwolle 1-1 Groningen

At one stage this season, both clubs would have regarded this contest as a must win. However, there is an argument that it is now a must-not-lose, something which leads us to predict a low-scoring draw.

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