Ajax Seek to Extend Historic Eredivisie Dominance Over PEC Zwolle in Opener

PEC Zwolle vs Ajax - 08/09/2026

08/04/2026 1075

The new Eredivisie campaign gets underway at the MAC³PARK Stadion as PEC Zwolle play host to Ajax. Both teams will be eager to set the tone for their seasons, but recent history and the current landscape present a challenging task for the hosts.

Recent History

Meetings between PEC Zwolle and Ajax at Zwolle's home ground have offered little comfort for the hosts in recent years. In their last six home matches against Ajax, PEC Zwolle have managed only a single draw while succumbing to defeat on five occasions. This run underscores the daunting challenge they are facing as they welcome one of the league's perennial title contenders.

Ajax's overall Eredivisie form away from home remains imposing, having emerged undefeated in 16 of their last 20 away matches. The Amsterdam side's away day confidence is complemented by their history in Zwolle, where they consistently find ways to take all three points.

Recent Form

PEC Zwolle come into the match with form that can only be described as inconsistent. In all competitions, they have lost four of their last eight matches and have failed to win in 12 of their last 15, translating to an 80% winless rate. While they have improved resilience at home—undefeated in eight of their last ten—recent performances have been marred by costly defeats, including losing three of their last seven by two or more goals.

Ajax, meanwhile, enter on an eight-match unbeaten streak across all competitions. They have been particularly hard to break down on their travels with clean sheets in four of their last ten Eredivisie away matches. Notably, Ajax are undefeated in 33 of their last 40 league outings, a level of consistency that firmly cements their position among the Eredivisie elite.

Main Trends

PEC Zwolle have shown some fighting spirit at home with six wins in their last 12 home matches, but frequent draws—50% in their last six at home—have prevented them from truly capitalizing on home advantage. The team also tends to avoid a losing streak at the MAC³PARK Stadion, but the upper hand remains elusive against the division’s top teams.

Ajax combine defensive solidity and attacking prowess, winning 40% of their last 15 away matches by at least two goals. A similar stat is mirrored in their last 10 league matches, winning by the same margin in four of them. Their draw rates have increased lately, especially with three out of their last six league matches ending level, but that hasn't been the case against sides like Zwolle.

Overall Performance

The gulf between the two sides is evident when looking at the long-term statistics. Ajax's win and undefeated rate in league play is among the highest in the division, while PEC Zwolle still seek stability and consistent performances to steer clear of the relegation battle. Zwolle’s home numbers are decent but less convincing against top-six sides.

Transfers and Squad Changes

This summer has seen both sides involved in the transfer market. PEC Zwolle have waved goodbye to multiple key squad members, especially in defense and attack, while also integrating several youth players from their academy. Ajax, as usual, have refreshed their squad with high-profile arrivals and promising youth, though the departures of experienced names like Wout Weghorst and Chuba Akpom could alter their attacking dynamics.

Probable Lineups

Taking into consideration transfer movements and players sidelined through injury, the predicted formations and lineups are as follows:

PEC Zwolle

Goalkeeper: Tom de Graaff

Defenders: Sherel Floranus, Tijs Velthuis, Tristan Gooijer, Simon Graves

Midfielders: Zico Buurmeester, Odysseus Velanas, Thijs Oosting, Ryan Thomas

Attackers: Koen Kostons

With Younes Namli sidelined, Ryan Thomas is likely to slot into midfield. Several departed players have also opened places for regulars from the squad last season.

Ajax

Goalkeeper: Maarten Paes

Defenders: Lucas Rosa, Josip Sutalo (out injured, replaced by Jorthy Mokio), Anton Gaaei, Youri Baas

Midfielders: Youri Regeer, Oscar Gloukh, Jorthy Mokio

Attackers: Mika Godts, Steven Berghuis, Kasper Dolberg

With Josip Sutalo, Ko Itakura, Dies Janse, and Amourricho Van Axel-Dongen on the injury list, Ajax are missing defensive options and likely to utilize Mokio as a replacement at the back. New signings such as Maher Carrizo could appear from the bench.

Prediction

The weight of recent history and the strength of Ajax’s squad make them clear favorites for this encounter. The prediction algorithm supports this, seeing Ajax as 62% probable to win with a likely scoreline of 3-0 in their favor. More than 2.5 goals are expected, reflecting the visitors’ attacking strength and Zwolle's struggles against top-tier opposition. The hosts will aim to frustrate, but Ajax’s track record points to another successful outing in Zwolle.

Home team
Away team

Probability %

1X2

Pred

Correct score

Avg. goals

Weather conditions

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Score

Live
coef.

Nl1

PEC Zwolle Ajax 09/08/2026 14:30

182062

20-3

0 - 3

2.99

90°F

-208

+525 +350 -208 no no no

FT

0 - 2(0 - 0)

-

- - -