PEC Zwolle v Telstar: mid-table push meets relegation fight | OneFootball

PEC Zwolle host Telstar in the Eredivisie on Saturday, 31 January 2026 in Zwolle, with the home side aiming to consolidate their mid-table position and the visitors trying to climb away from the relegation play-off place.

PEC Zwolle have won the past three meetings between the sides, including a 2-0 away victory in August. The hosts sit 12th on 23 points, while Telstar are 16th with 16 points and currently occupy a relegation play-off spot.

Recent form points to a tight game. Zwolle drew at FC Twente, beat AZ 3-1 and then lost at NEC. Telstar drew at Excelsior and were edged out 1-0 by AZ after a 3-2 home defeat to Ajax.

Availability could matter. PEC Zwolle are without suspended Ryan Thomas, while Odysseus Velanas, Jasper Schendelaar, Zico Buurmeester, Samir Lagsir, Damian van der Haar and David Voute are listed as injured. Telstar report injuries for Tyrone Owusu, Patrick Brouwer and Devon Koswal.

Tactically, Zwolle have scored 26 and conceded 42 this season, while Telstar have scored 24 and let in 33. Koen Kostons has eight league goals and four assists for Zwolle and could be the main outlet. Telstar deliver far more crosses from open play and Jeff Hardeveld's four assists underline a useful supply line that may test a defence conceding 2.1 goals per game.

Three points would take Zwolle to 26 and could nudge them further from danger, while Telstar would move to 19 and strengthen their survival bid, with a chance to ease the pressure around 16th place.