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

Groningen host PEC Zwolle on Saturday with their European ambitions still in the balance despite a run of inconsistent performances in recent weeks.

On the other hand, Zwolle will aim to end a run of three consecutive draws with a victory at the Hitachi Capital Mobility Stadium.

Match preview

Due to the postponement of the scheduled meeting between the sides on Sunday, Groningen remain four points adrift of Feyenoord in the race for fifth place in the Eredivisie table.

Danny Buijs's men have blown hot and cold since the turn of the year with their six games yielding two wins, two draws and two losses.

They will need to be up for it if they are to avoid defeat on Saturday, as recent games against their visitors have proven to rarely end in stalemate.

Each of the last 15 meetings in all competitions has been won outrightly by either side, with the last draw coming eight years ago.

With Feyenoord set to face relegation-threatened Willem II the next day, nothing but a victory in this one will do for Trots van het Noorden if they want to keep up the pressure on Dick Advocaat's men.

For the third game in a row, Zwolle came from behind to snatch a point and RKC Waalwijk were on the receiving end last time out.

John Stegeman sent Mustafa Saymak on at half time as his side trailed going into the break for the fourth successive game and, like in the first three occasions, they were able to turn things around in the second half.

The Blauwvingers are currently 10 points above the drop zone, so unlike last season, they are not expected to be involved in any relegation battle this term.

They can now approach games without unnecessary pressure and will hope that will spur them on to a mid-table finish this season.

Groningen Eredivisie form: DWDLWL

PEC Zwolle Eredivisie form: LLWDDD

Team News

Groningen's Azor Matusiwa is ruled out of the game with a damaged knee which he sustained in his team's 1-0 loss to Vitesse, but he is not far off a return to action.

The home side could be set to welcome back Patrick Joosten, who is in line to make his comeback from injury, following his recovery from an ankle problem.

Arjen Robben's injury problem persists as he is set to miss yet another game having featured in just two matches of the season to date.

Bram Van Polen will be serving the second of his three-game suspension following his dismissal in Zwolle's draw at Utrecht two Saturdays ago.

The visitors will also be without Kenneth Paal, Mike van Duinen and Slobodan Tedic as they are ruled out with knee, ankle and rib injuries respectively.

Groningen possible starting lineup:
Padt; Gudmundsson, Van Hintum, Itakura, Angel Leal; Lundqvist, Van Kaam, Da Cruz; Suslov, Strand Larsen, El Hankouri

PEC Zwolle possible starting lineup:
Zetterer; Nakayama, Van Polen, Kersten, Wermeskerken; Huiberts, Lam, Reijnders; Pherai, Buitink, Misidjan

We say: Groningen 2-1 PEC Zwolle

Groningen may not be playing at their best currently, but we still expect them to come out victorious against a Zwolle side who have been hard to beat of late.