Willem II vs PEC Zwolle Prediction, Betting Tips & Preview

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Willem II

vs

PEC Zwolle

KickoffFriday 6 November 2026, 7:00pm

VenueKoning Willem II Stadion

CompetitionDutch Eredivisie

Willem II have played eleven Eredivisie matches this season and they are yet to win a single one. Nine defeats, two draws, eleven points adrift of safety before the season has even reached its second third. That is not a rough patch, that is a full blown crisis, and the arrival of Jurgen Streppel in the dugout feels less like an appointment and more like a last roll of the dice. If you want a snapshot of just how badly things have gone, consider this: a 7-0 hiding at the hands of PSV last time out in the league. Seven. The only bit of good news heading into this one is that Jaden Slory missed that game through suspension and is back available, which is slim comfort given the scale of what needs fixing.

PEC Zwolle arrive in Tilburg in a very different mood. They were woeful themselves in the opening weeks, managing one win from their first eight league games, but something has shifted under caretaker Dennis van der Ree. Three unbeaten in the Eredivisie, two wins and a draw, and they head into this one with confidence building nicely. A win here before the international break would do wonders for Van der Ree personally, still carrying the scars of a tough spell at Groningen. This is a fixture that tells us a lot about where both clubs actually are right now.

Willem II vs PEC Zwolle Match Details

This Eredivisie round 12 fixture takes place at the Koning Willem II Stadion in Tilburg, with Willem II hoping their own patch gives them a fighting chance to kick start Streppel’s reign and finally get points on the board in what has been a desperately difficult league campaign so far.

Team News

Willem II get Slory back after his one match ban, which is a boost, but the injury list still bites. PEC Zwolle are also without a few bodies, though their absences are arguably more manageable given their current form.

• Justin Hoogma (knee) is out for Willem II
• Amine Lackhar (groin) is out for Willem II
• Jaden Slory returns from suspension for the hosts
• Sherel Floranus misses a fourth consecutive match for Zwolle
• Filip Krastev (Achilles) is out for Zwolle
• Givaro Rahajaan has not featured since early September and remains absent for the visitors

Predicted Lineups

Streppel does not have a lot of time to stamp his identity on things, so expect a fairly recognisable shape from Willem II. Slory’s return gives them a bit more threat going forward, and you would expect him to start given the hosts desperately need something to click in the final third. The back line remains a concern though, with Hoogma’s absence leaving a gap in central defence.

For Zwolle, Van der Ree has found something that works and there is no reason to tinker. Younes Namli is the one to watch in the visitors’ setup, a player who scored against Willem II in their most recent meeting and who looks capable of causing real problems on the night.

• Willem II: Delanghe; Ter Avest, Stam, Dekker, Tjoe a On; Twigt, Zarrouk; Slory, Van Aalst, Van Crooy; Haen
• PEC Zwolle: Schendelaar; Van de Haar, Viergever, Graves, Aertssen; Sommer, Thomas, Van der Wal; Mbayo, Van Hooijdonk, Namli

Recent Form

It is hard to overstate how alarming Willem II’s numbers are. Nine defeats from eleven Eredivisie outings is relegation form of the most serious kind, and the defensive record is where the real damage is being done. Twenty six of their 39 goals conceded this season have come after half time, which suggests the wheels come off as matches progress. Whether that is fitness, mentality or tactical, it is a pattern that any opponent will be looking to exploit. The 7-0 defeat to PSV was extreme even by their standards this term, and it is the kind of result that destroys confidence in a dressing room.

Zwolle’s story is more nuanced. The opening eight weeks were poor, one win from eight, and Henry van den Vegt paid for it with his job. But since Van der Ree took the reins on a caretaker basis, the picture has changed. Two wins and a draw in their last three league outings represents a genuine upturn, even if a 2-1 cup exit to lower league opposition sits as an awkward footnote in that run. The momentum feels real though, and they carry it into this one.

One caveat worth flagging for Zwolle is their finishing. They have converted just 20.8 percent of their big chances in the Eredivisie, the worst rate in the division. The performances have improved but the clinical edge has not quite followed. If they create chances against a leaky Willem II backline, turning them into goals is not guaranteed.

Head-to-Head Record

The recent head to head record does not make comfortable reading for the Willem II faithful. In the last five meetings between these clubs, the hosts have managed just one win, with three defeats and a draw making up the rest. That is a pretty telling pattern, particularly at a time when the home side is so short on confidence and the visitors are carrying form into the fixture.

Namli is worth keeping an eye on here too given his record in this exact fixture. The Danish midfielder scored in the most recent clash between the two sides and has the technical quality to impose himself at this level when the game opens up.

Key Stats

• Willem II are winless in eleven Eredivisie games this season, nine defeats and two draws
• 26 of Willem II’s 39 Eredivisie goals conceded have come in the second half
• PEC Zwolle have converted just 20.8 percent of their big chances, the lowest rate in the Eredivisie
• Zwolle are unbeaten in three league games, winning two of them under caretaker Van der Ree
• Willem II have won just once in their last five meetings with Zwolle

Willem II vs PEC Zwolle Betting Tips

This game sets up pretty clearly on paper. A new manager bounce is a real thing in football, but the structural problems at Willem II run deep, and Zwolle arrive with genuine momentum and a strong recent record in this fixture. The goals angle is interesting given both sides have shown a willingness to concede, though Zwolle’s wastefulness in front of goal does add a small layer of uncertainty to the totals markets.

Both Teams To Score (BTTS) Prediction

Willem II have been porous all season and Zwolle, despite their poor conversion rate on big chances, have still managed to find the net regularly enough in recent weeks. The hosts will want to make a statement under their new gaffer and should create at least something going forward. BTTS yes looks like reasonable value here.

Cards Prediction

Willem II are desperate for a result under a new manager, and desperation often leads to niggly challenges and frustrated fouls as a game slips away from you. Zwolle have been competitive and physical in their recent upturn. Expect this to be a feisty one and back over three and a half cards as a sensible shout.

Corners Prediction

Willem II will need to push forward if they fall behind, and given the way this season has gone they will likely be chasing the game at some point. Zwolle are also a side that gets forward with intent. The combination of a home side under pressure and a visiting team happy to hit on the break should generate a decent volume of corners. Over eight and a half looks achievable.

Over and Under Goals Prediction

Willem II are averaging a remarkable number of goals against per game, and Zwolle have shown enough in front of goal recently to cause problems. With both sides capable of contributing to the scoresheet and a home team that tends to leak in the second half, over two and a half goals looks like the play here.

First Goalscorer Prediction

Younes Namli is the standout pick. The Dane scored in the last meeting between these sides, he is operating in a Zwolle midfield that has found its feet under Van der Ree, and he has the technical quality to get into goalscoring positions against a back line that has been leaking throughout the campaign. He is well worth including in first scorer markets.

Bet Builder Tip

Willem II’s defensive frailties and Zwolle’s improved attacking play make a goal rich game the most logical outcome, and Namli’s record in this fixture makes him the ideal name to attach to the first scorer leg.

Final Match Prediction

Streppel’s appointment might bring some short term energy to the Willem II dressing room, but energy alone does not fix a back line that has conceded 39 goals in eleven games, nor does it instantly resolve the second half collapses that have defined their season. Zwolle are the better side right now, they have recent form, a settled shape under Van der Ree, and a decent record in this fixture.

The visitors should have enough to take three points back to Zwolle and give Van der Ree a very strong case for the permanent job before the international break. Willem II will make it competitive, especially early on, but Zwolle to win a tight one feels like the right call. We are going with Willem II 1-2 PEC Zwolle.

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