MX23RW : Monday, March 24 12:03:23| >> :600:861352:861352:
[monks data]
Sparta Rotterdam logo
Eredivisie | Gameweek 26
Mar 15, 2025 at 5.45pm UK
Sparta-Stadion Het Kasteel
PEC Zwolle

Sparta
1 - 1
PEC Zwolle

Lauritsen (51')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Aertssen (48')

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

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Eredivisie clash between Sparta Rotterdam and PEC Zwolle, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

A huge clash at the bottom of the Eredivisie table sees Sparta Rotterdam and PEC Zwolle go head to head at the Sparta Stadion Het Kasteel on Saturday evening.

With the sides currently separated by just one point in the league standings, neither will want to come away empty-handed from this weekend's meeting in Rotterdam.


Match preview

Sparta Rotterdam head coach Maurice Steijn on December 22, 2024© Imago

Still buoyed by a 4-0 triumph against Willem II five days prior, their largest victory of the season, Sparta Rotterdam went in search of consecutive wins when they visited the Rat Verlegh Stadion to face off against NAC Breda.

Maurice Steijn's men got off to a perfect start by taking the lead after just 12 minutes through midfielder Carel Eiting before relinquishing their advantage to a Leo Sauer equaliser just past the hour mark.

A win would have moved De Kasteelheren two points clear of the relegation zone, but they remain level on points with 16th-placed Willem II, albeit with a vastly superior goal difference, which could come in handy later.

With four of their last five games coming against the current top-four sides, Sparta will need to put some daylight between themselves and the drop zone sooner rather than later, and a victory this weekend is almost non-negotiable.

Having been beaten in both of the most recent two meetings between the teams, including a 1-0 defeat in November's reverse fixture, Saturday's hosts will be desperate to get the better of their visitors this time around.

PEC Zwolle head coach Johnny Jansen during his side's match against RKC Waalwijk on December 20, 2024© Imago

Zwolle could not have picked a worse time to hit arguably their worst form of the season, as Sunday's 1-0 defeat to Ajax made it three defeats from four matches, while also extending their winless streak to five matches.

In all fairness, Johnny Jansen's men gave a good account of themselves against the champions elect, but a Kenneth Taylor penalty right after the hour was enough to settle a nervy encounter at the MAC³PARK Stadion.

After picking up seven points from a possible nine between January 18 and February 2, De Blauwvingers looked set to pull away from relegation danger, but their recent struggles have sucked them right back into what is shaping up to be a frenetic battle for survival.

Unlike Sparta, Zwolle have a relatively easier schedule to close out the campaign, although they will be keen to guarantee their top-flight safety as quickly as possible to extend their two-year stay in the Eredivisie since returning from the second division in 2023.

Given their wretched away record of just one win from 12 matches (joint fewest alongside RKC Waalwijk and Almere City), Saturday's visitors will need to dig in massively if they are to secure a rare three points on the road.

Sparta Rotterdam Eredivisie form:

PEC Zwolle Eredivisie form:


Team News

PEC Zwolle player Younes Namli on September 15, 2024© Imago

Joshua Kitolano is a guaranteed absentee for Sparta Rotterdam here as he remains unavailable with a muscle problem that has seen him miss five straight matches.

On-loan midfielder from Twente, Carel Eiting, recently opened his account for the home side against Breda and will be looking to deliver the goods once again.

Tristan Gooijer and Samir Lagsir are unavailable for Zwolle due to respective knee injuries, while Danish midfielder Younes Namli continues to nurse a groin problem.

The away side will also take to the field without the services of Nick Fichtinger, who was hauled off against Ajax less than half-an-hour after coming on as a second-half substitute.


Sparta Rotterdam possible starting lineup:
Olij; Van Aanholt, Eerdhuijzen, Young, Bakari; Zechiel, Eiting; Mito, Hlynsson, Van Bergen; Lauritsen

PEC Zwolle possible starting lineup:
Schendelaar; Aertssen, Graves, MacNulty, Van der Haar; El Azzouzi, Van den Berg; Mbayo, Thomas, Krastev; Vente



SM words green background

We say: Sparta Rotterdam 2-1 PEC Zwolle

Given what is at stake here, we are expecting a keenly-contested affair with a plethora of chances at both ends.

That said, we can also see Sparta just about doing enough to edge out Zwolle and come away with maximum points.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




ID:567924:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect10331:
Written by
Joshua Ojele

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Sparta vs PEC Zwolle

Sparta Rotterdam
40.0%
Draw
20.0%
PEC Zwolle
40.0%
5
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Ajax's Branco van den Boomen  and Chuba Akpom on November 10, 2024
Read Next:
Sunday's Eredivisie predictions including Almere City vs. Ajax
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Ajax26204255203564
2PSV EindhovenPSV26184478304858
3FC UtrechtUtrecht2614754639749
4Feyenoord25138454292547
5FC Twente26137652371546
6AZ AlkmaarAZ25135742261644
7Go Ahead Eagles2613584740744
8Fortuna SittardSittard2695123243-1132
9Groningen2587102433-931
10Heerenveen2687113246-1431
11NECNijmegen2685133737029
12NAC BredaNAC Breda2685132844-1629
13Heracles26610103347-1428
14PEC Zwolle2668123041-1126
15Sparta RotterdamSparta26510112535-1025
16Willem II2666142842-1424
17RKC WaalwijkRKC Waalwijk2545163252-2017
18Almere CityAlmere City2636171650-3415


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!