FC Zwolle Set for Willem II Test in Eredivisie
PEC Zwolle players link arms before kick-off as they look to extend their unbeaten run away at Willem II. PEC Zwolle travel to face Willem II at the Koning Willem II Stadion on Friday evening as the visitors look to maintain their unbeaten run in the Eredivisie under interim coach Dennis van der Ree.
The match kicks off at 20.00 and forms the opening fixture of the twelfth round of the 2026-27 season. PEC sit fourteenth in the table with eleven points from eleven games, two points clear of the relegation zone, while the hosts remain rooted to the bottom with just two points and no league wins so far this campaign.
The Zwolle side have collected seven points from their last three league outings since the change in the dugout. A 4-1 home victory over Go Ahead Eagles was followed by a 1-1 draw at FC Utrecht and then the narrow success against ADO Den Haag.
That sequence has steadied results after an earlier run that left the club in sixteenth place with only four points from the opening eight matches. Interim arrangements have seen van der Ree and Maikel van der Werff share duties, with the former stressing after recent fixtures that full concentration remains essential against every opponent.
Willem II, newly promoted, have struggled to adapt and sit eight points from safety. Their only victory of the season came in the KNVB Beker against Helmond Sport, a result achieved while playing with ten men in the closing stages.
The club appointed a new head coach in recent weeks in an attempt to arrest the poor start, yet results have continued to disappoint. PEC hold a solid historical edge in meetings between the sides, though both teams have shown vulnerability on the road this term.
Team news for the visitors includes the continued absence of Sherel Floranus through injury, while Filip Krastev remains sidelined. Younes Namli has returned to the squad after a lengthy spell out and featured in the win over ADO Den Haag.
Ryan Thomas continues to captain the side. Willem II will be without Justin Hoogma and Amine Lackhar, both injured, but Jaden Slory is available after serving a suspension.
The home side are expected to line up in a 4-3-3 formation with Maxime Delanghe in goal. Van der Ree has made clear he does not wish to take the permanent role at this stage, leaving technical director Gerry Hamstra to continue the search for a new head coach.