New manager bounce to see Zwolle win season opener
The 2019/20 Eredivisie season kicks off on Friday with Zwolle playing host to Willem II. It has been a summer of change for both sides who were separated by just five points in the last campaign. 2018/19’s 13th best welcomes 10th with all to play for in new Zwolle manager John Stegeman’s first competitive game, both teams have had a nice pre-season with Willem being the only one to taste defeat.
Recent form
PEC Zwolle have been an exciting team to watch on the opening day of a season since their return to the league six years ago. Both teams have scored two goals in three of their last four opening fixtures, they have also found the net at least twice in their last five season beginning matches at home, though interestingly only registering a clean sheet on one of those occasions. Stegeman has an encouraging record against Willem, with four wins, a draw and a defeat in his managerial encounters with them.
The visitors have not won an opening day game since last getting promotion only managing one solitary point over those five fixtures. Thirteen of their last fifteen Eredivisie outings have brought over 2.5 goals, combined with Zwolle’s recent history a high-scoring affair could be another profitable betting market. The head-to-head record however is very much on the side of the men from Tilburg with them having been victorious in four of the last five meetings, drawing the other one. They have also led at half time on four of those occasions. The summer window has not been kind to Willem however, with their three top scorers from last term all moving on. Losing 31 of the 58 goals they achieved in 2018/19, the early exchanges of this season will be a big indicator into whether they are going to be able to cope with those losses.
John Stegeman
Joining after a brief spell with second tier outfit Go Ahead Eagles, that having followed a four-year tenure with Heracles Almelo that brought mixed fortunes. His experience in the Dutch game as a player and as a young up and coming manager should stand the 42-year-old in good stead to succeed with the Bluefingers.
Zwolle will buck the recent head-to-head trend and get the win to start Stegeman’s reign on the front foot, in what will be an entertaining evening to get people talking about this Eredivisie season.
Zwolle – Willem II Betting Tip
Zwolle to Win with 888sport at odds of 11/10.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
Zwolle took the lead but Willem came back to win 3-1 against the odds and start their season perfectly.