Liam Duckstein
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The Eredivisie 2026/27 season gets underway at MAC³PARK Stadion in Zwolle, where PEC Zwolle welcome Ajax on August 9. On paper this looks like a mismatch, and the numbers do little to argue otherwise. Ajax arrive having won seven of their last eight matches, while PEC Zwolle managed just one win in the same period. What makes this fixture worth watching is Ajax’s attacking depth under coach Míchel, who has fielded a rotating cast of forwards all capable of scoring, making the question less about whether Ajax win and more about how many they put past Henry van der Vegt’s side.
Oscar Gloukh has been the standout performer in Ajax’s recent run, scoring four goals across five matches from a central midfield role, combining technical precision with an eye for goal that makes him a constant threat. On the other wing, Mika Godts has contributed a goal and two assists in just four appearances, offering pace and directness that will trouble any defensive line.
A hot stat worth flagging: Ajax have scored 16 goals across their last five matches, averaging 3.2 per game, with 116 total shots and 49 corners. PEC Zwolle, by contrast, registered zero goals, zero shots, and zero corners in the same five-game sample, pointing to a side that has either been completely shut out or has faced extraordinary opposition in recent friendlies and warm-up games.
| 🏆 Tournament: | Eredivisie 2026/27, Regular Season |
| 🏟 Venue: | MAC³PARK Stadion, Zwolle |
| 🗓️ Date: | 09.08.2026 |
| ⏰ Time: | 14:30 CEST |
PEC Zwolle vs Ajax Prediction
Ajax are the clear pick here. They arrive in form, with depth across every line and a coach who has found a consistent starting structure in the 4-3-3. PEC Zwolle have won just five of 21 matches this year and carry a 25% win rate over the last 30 days. The head-to-head record reinforces this gap: Ajax have won three of the last five meetings between these clubs, with PEC Zwolle picking up just one victory and that came in a friendly.
We predict an Ajax win with goals. Their attacking output over recent weeks is too consistent to ignore, and PEC Zwolle have shown little defensive resilience. The value bet here is Ajax on the moneyline, and the over 2.5 goals line looks very reasonable given Ajax’s average of more than three goals per game in recent form.
PEC Zwolle tend to sit in a 4-2-3-1 shape, which can be compact but relies heavily on the double pivot holding firm. Ajax’s midfield trio, with Gloukh and Klaassen combining, will look to play through the lines and stretch that structure. Zwolle’s discipline in terms of fouls and cards is difficult to assess from available data, but Ajax’s 45 fouls and 2 yellow cards across five games suggests they press without recklessness, which makes them hard to disrupt through set pieces or physical play.
| 🔥Hot Tip: | Ajax to score in both halves |
| ⚽Total Goals: | Over 2.5 |
| 💥Both Teams To Score: | No |
| 🎯Total Corners: | Over 8.5 |
Team Analysis
PEC Zwolle have had a difficult run heading into this fixture. They lost to Hannover 0-3 in their most recent outing, which followed a 2-3 defeat to AEK Athens and a 0-1 loss to Al Jazira. Their only positive result in recent weeks was a 3-2 win over Cercle Brugge. The Hannover defeat is particularly telling as a 0-3 scoreline against a mid-table German side suggests Zwolle are struggling to compete against organized opposition. Their season record of five wins from 21 games paints a picture of a team that will need time to build momentum in the new campaign.
Ajax have been in excellent shape. Their most recent result was a 3-1 win over Shelbourne, which extended a run that included back-to-back 4-1 victories over Vojvodina and a 2-1 win against Burnley. They did drop a point in a draw with Volendam, but that looks like an isolated blip. Coach Míchel has been rotating his squad without sacrificing results, with players like Tolu Arokodare and Don-Angelo Konadu contributing off the bench. The depth is real, and the win rate of 88% over the last 30 days speaks for itself.
Most Recent Head-to-Head Matches
| Statistic | PEC Zwolle | Ajax |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 2 | 6 |
🚨Check out our dedicated PEC Zwolle vs Ajax stats page for more info.
The five most recent meetings between these sides tell a consistent story. Ajax have won three, with PEC Zwolle taking just one victory in a 2024 friendly. In competitive Eredivisie fixtures, Zwolle have failed to win any of the last four encounters, conceding at least once in each game. The aggregate score across those five matches sits at 2-6 in Ajax’s favor.
Pre-game Odds and Win Probability: Ajax the Favourite
- Moneyline PEC Zwolle 5.40–6.05 | Ajax 1.18–1.49
- Draw 4.50–4.62
- Over/Under Over 2.5 — | Under 2.5 —
- BTTS (both teams to score) Yes — | No —
The spread between the shortest Ajax odds (1.18) and the longest (1.49) is notable. The 1.18 line from Bons reflects near certainty, while the 1.49 from 888starz, Megapari, and SpinBetter offers marginally better value for the same outcome. PEC Zwolle at 5.40 to 6.05 is generous on paper but hard to justify given the form gap. The draw at 4.50 to 4.62 is priced fairly given how rarely these two sides have shared the spoils in recent history. We see Ajax as strong value anywhere above 1.40.
PEC Zwolle. Source: Official Facebook
Possible Starting Lineups
Ajax Possible Starting Eleven
- GK: Joeri Heerkens
- DF: Anton Gaaei, Youri Baas, Daley Blind, Owen Wijndal
- MF: Jorthy Mokio, Davy Klaassen, Youri Regeer
- FW: Mika Godts, Oscar Gloukh, Steven Berghuis
Ajax look set to line up in their preferred 4-3-3 under Míchel. Joeri Heerkens has started all five recent matches in goal, making him the clear first choice ahead of Maarten Paes. In defense, Daley Blind anchors the back line with five appearances, partnered by Youri Baas, while Anton Gaaei and Owen Wijndal provide width and the occasional goal threat from full-back. The midfield three of Mokio, Klaassen, and Regeer covers ground efficiently, with Klaassen’s two goals in five games making him a quiet but productive contributor. Oscar Gloukh leads the attack from a false nine or second striker role and is the player to watch with four goals in five games.
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Ajax. Source: Official Facebook
TipsGG Match Prediction
Ajax are the right side to back here. Their form over the last 30 days is the strongest of any team in this fixture by a wide margin, their squad depth allows rotation without a drop in quality, and their head-to-head record against PEC Zwolle in competitive matches is clean. PEC Zwolle have not scored in their last two matches and are yet to register a shot or corner in their five-game data sample, which suggests an attack that is misfiring badly heading into the new season.
We predict an Ajax win, with goals coming from multiple sources. Gloukh, Klaassen, and Berghuis all carry a goal threat, and Zwolle’s defensive record gives little reason to expect a clean sheet at the other end. The over 2.5 goals market is the pick, and backing Ajax to score in both halves offers solid value at the longer odds available on the market.
