Sports Mole previews Sunday’s Eredivisie clash between RKC Waalwijk and PEC Zwolle, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
It is a crucial match as far as the bottom of the Eredivisie is concerned this Sunday as RKC Waalwijk looks to secure their survival in the top flight when hosting PEC Zwolle.
Three points could guarantee safety for the home side depending on other results, placing plenty of pressure on this particular fixture.
Match preview
© Reuters
With just two games left, time is running out for RKC Waalwijk in their bid to avoid relegation, and while they are currently sitting above the relegation zone the gap is only two points.
A draw or a defeat this weekend would open the door for SBV Excelsior to potentially overtake them, and considering RKC Waalwijk’s final game of the season is against the champions PSV Eindhoven, the fans will want to guarantee an extra three points with this particular match.
Should Henk Fraser‘s men win on Sunday and SBV Excelsior lose or draw, then safety will be confirmed with one game to be spare, which is the ideal scenario that everyone associated with the club will be hoping for.
RKC Waalwijk are undefeated in their past two games, with the most recent being an emphatic 5-0 win against Heracles, showcasing the fact that they are not going to accept relegation without a fight.
They have also been stronger when it comes to playing at home, and with the crowd roaring them on, RKC Waalwijk will have the belief they can achieve something special this weekend.
On the flip side, the visitors were on the receiving end of a 5-0 hammering during their most recent match, and putting that behind them at the first available opportunity will be the aim this time out.
PEC Zwolle have nothing specific to fight for in this game, as they are not able to achieve European football, nor do they have to worry about potentially being relegated.
However, that does not mean that they will not be pushing for three points, as there is still the opportunity for the visitors to finish higher up the division this season.
Three points on Sunday could see them climb up to 10th depending on other results, and that is what Johnny Jansen will want to see from his squad.
The visitors will also want to avenge the previous meeting between the two clubs, where they were handed a 2-1 loss.
RKC Waalwijk Eredivisie form:
PEC Zwolle Eredivisie form:
Team News
© Reuters
The hosts will be without the services of Nouri El Harmazi for this match due to a shoulder injury that the 21-year-old is dealing with.
However, after an impressive 5-0 win in their most recent outing, it is unlikely that Fraser will look to make any alterations to the starting lineup.
Jansen could bring Thomas Lam and Younes Namli back into the starting lineup for the visitors after their recent suspensions.
Considering their recent heavy defeat there is a good chance the PEC Zwolle boss will make wholesale changes to give other players an opportunity.
RKC Waalwijk possible starting lineup:
Vaessen; Gaari, Adewoye, Van den Buijs, Lutonda; Oukili, Roemeratoe; Lokesa, Niemeijer, Seuntjens; Min
PEC Zwolle possible starting lineup:
Schendelaar; Polen, Kersten, Van der Haar, MacNulty; Azzouzi, Krastev; Reijnders, Velanas, Water; Thy
We say: RKC Waalwijk 2-0 PEC Zwolle
RKC Waalwijk might be the underdogs heading into this fixture, but with so much on the line, they will be pushing hard to get a positive result this weekend.
The hosts have been in good form recently, and that alone could be the difference-maker in this game.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.