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

Looking to continue their fine start to the new Eredivisie season, reigning champions Ajax travel to the Mac3Park Stadion for their meeting with PEC Zwolle on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the home side are yet to pick up their first point of the season, losing each of their three opening fixtures, which leaves them bottom of the standings.

Match preview

© Reuters

Ajax claimed a second consecutive 5-0 victory on home turf as they demolished Vitesse two Sundays ago in their last outing before the international break.

Goals from Antony, Edson Alvarez and Ryan Gravenberch put Erik ten Hag's men three up going into the break, before an own goal from Tomas Hajek right on the hour mark and a Davy Klaassen strike seven minutes later completed the rout.

De Godenzonen have scored 11 goals this term and only PSV Eindhoven - the only team with a 100% record to date - have managed to equal that.

They will now aim to continue their ruthlessness in front of goal when they take on a Zwolle side who have lost 11 consecutive meetings between the teams since 2015.

With a Champions League group-stage clash against Sporting Lisbon to follow four days later, Saturday's visitors will be hopeful of claiming all three points this weekend to give them a confidence boost for the trip to Portugal.

PEC Zwolle continued their poor start to the 2021-22 campaign as they fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat versus Willem II in Tilburg a fortnight ago.

Despite being on top for the majority of the match, a Gorkem Saglam strike in the 53rd minute condemned Art Langeler's men to yet another loss.

The Blauwvingers have now failed to find the back of the net for the third game running, while they are still yet to record a clean sheet this term.

While it still early days, Saturday's hosts will want to avoid being left too far behind, so an improvement has to be made at both ends of the pitch.

Team News

© Reuters

After a nine-month ban from all footballing activities due to a failed doping test, first choice goalkeeper Andre Onana has returned to training.

Sean Klaiber and Mohammed Kudus are currently down with knee and ankle injuries respectively, ruling them out of this weekend's contest.

Noussair Mazraoui has been a constant attacking threat from left back, contributing directly to three goals in his last three appearances.

Sai Van Wermeskerken has not featured for Zwolle since he picked up a knee problem in February and the Japanese defender continues his spell on the sidelines.

Pelle Clement is a doubt for the visitors after the 25-year-old was forced off with a knock 23 minutes into the clash against Willem II

PEC Zwolle possible starting lineup:
Lamprou; Van Polen, Van der Berg, Voet, De Wit; Reijnders, Nakayama, Van den Belt; Paal, Tedic, Landu

Ajax possible starting lineup:
Stekelenburg; Mazraoui, Timber, Martinez, Blind; Alvarez, Gravenberch, Klaassen; Antony, Tadic, Haller

We say: PEC Zwolle 0-3 Ajax

Ajax were held to a draw in their last game on the road, and they will want to avoid suffering the same fate here. The Eredivisie champions have several weapons in their arsenal, and we fancy them to come out on top in a comfortable manner.