PEC Zwolle vs Ajax preview

Netherlands flag 2026/2027 Eredivisie, Netherlands
MAC³PARK Stadion Sun, 9 Aug - 12:30 PM
Eredivisie
Full Time Sun, 9 Aug 12:30 PM
Round 1 Regular Season
|
Goal
Jorthy Mokio - 76'
Julian Brandt - 90+5'

CONTEXT

The match between PEC Zwolle and Ajax ended 0-2 to the visitors. The sides were level at halftime with a 0-0 scoreline. Ajax controlled the game with 69 percent possession while PEC Zwolle held 31 percent. Expected goals stood at 0.49 for the home side and 1.97 for Ajax. A red card was shown to PEC Zwolle during the contest. Ajax as the stronger team claimed the three points. The result followed the expected goals pattern throughout the fixture. Second half adjustments included red card distortion that shaped the flow of play. PEC Zwolle struggled to create chances after the dismissal.

TL;DR

  • Structural deviation: Final score: PEC Zwolle 0-2 Ajax. Ajax showed a significant deviation from the pre-match structural baseline.
  • Efficiency shift: The efficiency shift remained in line with the stronger side.
  • xG alignment: The final result stayed consistent with the xG differential.
  • Market alignment: The outcome proved aligned with available indicators.
  • xG expectations: PEC Zwolle posted 0.49 xG against Ajax 1.97 xG.
  • Event impact: Key events in the second half shaped the match flow.
  • Red card distortion: The home team red card introduced clear second half distortion.
No standings statistics available.
No head-to-head records found.
0.5+ goals: 85%
1.5+ goals: 70%
2.5+ goals: 50%
3.5+ goals: 25%
Confidence: High (≥8 matches)

Quality vs Volume

Home: xG 1.8, Shots 12, xG/Shot 0.15
Away: xG 1.5, Shots 14, xG/Shot 0.11

Open Play vs Set Play

Open Play: 65%
Set Play: 35%

Expected Points

TeamxPts
Home1.8
Away1.2
ℹ️ Methodology: Expected Goals (xG) measures shot quality
J. van der Laan
J. van der Laan
Referee 25 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 30.4
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 4
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
E. Koopman
E. Koopman
1st Assistant 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Y. Weterings
Y. Weterings
2nd Assistant 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
T. Hardeman
T. Hardeman
4th Official 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
PEC Zwolle Henry van der Vegt
Henry van der Vegt
VS
Ajax M. Sánchez Muñoz
M. Sánchez Muñoz
0.92
Avg Points / Game (Last 100 Matches)
1.5
0.67 i
Last 6 Opponents
Feyenoord Rank: 82 L
Fortuna Sittard Rank: 66 L
Heracles Almelo Rank: 57 W
PSV Rank: 86 L
Excelsior Rank: 67 D
Go Ahead Eagles Rank: 70 L
Avg Points / Game (Last 6 Matches)
1.5 i
Last 6 Opponents
FC Utrecht Rank: 75 D
FC Groningen Rank: 71 W
SC Heerenveen Rank: 73 D
FC Utrecht Rank: 75 L
PSV Rank: 86 D
NAC Breda Rank: 59 W
1
Head to Head (Wins - Draws - Losses)
1 - 1 - 3
3

Team Power Ranking

i
What is Power Ranking?
Power ranking is SportMonks' model-based team strength indicator. Historical input capped to 2 seasons.
65.57
80.81
0 (Weakest) 100 (Strongest)
Metric
PEC Zwolle
Ajax
Power Score
65.57
80.81
League Position
16
3
Global Rank
401
77

Form Analysis Opponent-Weighted

Line chart of recent results (points/trend). Friendlies excluded by default. Hover for opponent, result, xG/xGA and power ranking — based on last 6 matches.

vs
PEC Zwolle Opponent-weighted form score
Ajax Opponent-weighted form score
Win (3 pts) Draw (1 pt) Loss (0 pts) PEC Zwolle Ajax

Heatmaps Ball coordinates

Attack and defence zones from ball position data. Filters: last 6 matches (overall/home/away), time period, competition.

vs

PEC Zwolle

Left / Center / Right
Opposition half density
vs season average

Ajax

Left / Center / Right
Opposition half density
vs season average

Possession Efficiency Possession-Adjusted

How effectively each team uses and defends their share of possession. Efficiency adjusted based on team possession percentage

PEC Zwolle ⚠ Proxy
vs
⚠ Proxy Ajax
Attacking Efficiency
Higher is better
Attacking Efficiency
30.00
42.54
Defensive Efficiency
Lower is better
Defensive Efficiency
42.54
30.00
Combined Efficiency Index Z-score combining attacking and defensive possession-adjusted efficiency.
Positive = above league average.
Negative = below league average.
Formula: EfficiencyIndex = z(AttackEff) − z(DefenceEff)
-3 0 3
PEC Zwolle Efficiency Index
vs
Ajax Efficiency Index
xG data unavailable for both teams. Values estimated using shots and dangerous attacks (proxy). Confidence: Medium.
PEC Zwolle
Ajax
AttackEff = xG ÷ pos
DefenceEff = xGA ÷ (1−pos)

Set Pieces Efficiency Attack & Defence

Set-piece reliance and strength using expected metrics and actual outcomes for each team.

PEC Zwolle
vs
Ajax
Created Set-piece attacking threat
PEC Zwolle Ajax
Set-piece xG Share Share of total expected goals generated from set pieces. Higher = more set-piece reliant in attack.
33%
17%
Goals per Match Average set-piece goals scored per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xG) Goals scored minus set-piece xG. Positive = overperforming; Negative = underperforming expectations.
-0.16 vs -0.33
Conceded Set-piece defensive exposure
PEC Zwolle Ajax
Set-piece xGA Share Share of total expected goals conceded from set pieces. Higher = more exposed to set pieces defensively.
17%
33%
Conceded per Match Average set-piece goals conceded per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xGA) Goals conceded minus set-piece xGA. Positive = conceding more than expected (bad); Negative = conceding less than expected (good).
-0.33 vs -0.16
PEC Zwolle
Ajax
xG Share = set-piece xG ÷ total xG
vs Expected = goals − set-piece xG

Counter / Transition Attack & Defence

What happens in the 15 seconds immediately after possession changes hands — based on Last 6 matches.

PEC Zwolle
vs
Ajax
Attack After Winning Possession transition → offence
PEC Zwolle Ajax
Goals per Match Average goals scored within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
Shots per Match Average shots taken within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
Dangerous Attacks Average dangerous attacks launched within 15s of winning possession per match. ↑ better
Defence After Losing Possession loss → defensive exposure
PEC Zwolle Ajax
Goals Conceded Average goals conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
Shots Conceded Average shots conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
Dangerous Attacks Conceded Average dangerous attacks allowed within 15s of losing possession per match. ↓ better
PEC Zwolle
Ajax
Window = 15s post-possession change
Index = 0–1 composite score

PRESSURE INDEX

Momentum phases from smoothed minute-by-minute pressure.

  • AJA had peak pressure around 75'.
  • AJA started the game with stronger pressure.
PEC Pressure AJA Pressure
Pressure Index: AJA reached the top pressure at 75' (100.00).

Team Head to Head Last 6 Seasons

Summary of 5 matches between these sides — filtered by competition and venue context.

PEC Zwolle PEC Home
5 matches
Ajax AJA Away
Match Record
1
Wins
3
1
Draws
1
3
Losses
1
Goals
2
Goals Scored
6
6
Goals Conceded
2
-4
Goal Difference
+4
Expected Goals
0
xG
0
0
xGA
0

Data last updated: 2026-08-10T07:45:00+00:00

STARTING XI

Match Formation 4-2-3-1
Match Formation 4-3-3

General Information

Date & Time
Aug 09, 2026, 12:30 PM
Competition
2026/2027 Eredivisie, Netherlands · Round 1 · Regular Season
Stadium
MAC³PARK Stadion
Capacity
14000
Attendance
14000
Pitch Surface
Artificial turf
Weather
☀️ 12°C, Fair
Referees
Jannick van der Laan
Erik Koopman
Yorick Weterings
Thomas Hardeman

Statistics

Possession
PEC
37%
AJA
63%

Top Statistics

0 Goals 2
1 Big Chances Created 1
2 Shots 8
46 Dangerous attacks 67
31 Possession 69
2 Corners 10
10 Free kicks 12
2 Yellow Cards 2
1 Red Cards 0

Match Overview

77 Ball Safe 98
8 Goal Kicks 3
4 Goal Attempts 13
5 Substitutions 5
22 Throwins 28
16 Successful Headers 17
0 Assists 2
0 Injuries 1
12 Dribble Attempts 19
5 Successful Dribbles 8
42 Successful Dribbles Percentage 42

Attacking

77 Attacks 125
1 Big Chances Missed 0

Possession

66 Long Passes 42
238 Passes 548
173 Successful Passes 482
73 Successful Passes Percentage 88
5 Key Passes 21
29 Successful Long Passes 22
44 Successful Long Passes Percentage 52

Defensive

4 Saves 2
22 Tackles 10
12 Interceptions 4
52 Duels Won 47

Build-up

11 Total Crosses 26
3 Accurate Crosses 6

Discipline

12 Fouls 10

Lineup

Referee : Jannick van der Laan

Starting XI

1
Jasper Schendelaar
Jasper Schendelaar Goalkeeper
7.1
2
Sherel Floranus
Sherel Floranus Defender
5.89
3
Olivier Aertssen
Olivier Aertssen Defender
6.81
24
Nick Viergever
Nick Viergever Defender
6.51
28
Simon Graves
Simon Graves Defender
7.26
8
T. Sommer
T. Sommer Midfielder
6.86
9
Elias Sørensen
Elias Sørensen
Attacker85'
6.33
11
Dylan Mbayo
Dylan Mbayo Midfielder
7.09
20
Gabriël Reiziger
Gabriël Reiziger
Midfielder61'
6.42
22
Ibrahim Cissoko
Ibrahim Cissoko Midfielder
6.75
33
Damian van der Haar
6.31
25
Thijs Oosting
Thijs Oosting Midfielder
6.87
4
Tijs Velthuis
Tijs Velthuis
Defender74'
5.93
30
Ryan Thomas
Ryan Thomas (C) Midfielder
6.82
18
Odysseus Velanas
Odysseus Velanas
Midfielder85'
6.53
10
Koen Kostons
Koen Kostons Attacker
6.58
Referee : Jannick van der Laan

Starting XI

1
Marc-André ter Stegen
7.28
2
Lucas Rosa
Lucas Rosa Defender
7.96
12
Caio Henrique
Caio Henrique Defender
7.05
15
Youri Baas
Youri Baas Defender
7.78
30
Aaron Bouwman
Aaron Bouwman Defender
7.41
6
Youri Regeer
Youri Regeer Midfielder
6.46
11
Mika Godts
Mika Godts
Attacker61'
7.53
10
Oscar Gloukh
Oscar Gloukh Midfielder
7.07
24
Jorthy Mokio
Jorthy Mokio
Midfielder61'
7.45
18
Davy Klaassen
Davy Klaassen (C) Midfielder
7.28
9
Kasper Dolberg
Kasper Dolberg Attacker
6.67
38
Marcos Leonardo
Marcos Leonardo
Attacker67'
6.35
23
Steven Berghuis
Steven Berghuis Attacker
6.93
8
Julian Brandt
Julian Brandt
Midfielder61'
7.3
68
Abdellah Ouazane
Abdellah Ouazane Attacker
6.43
99
Tolu Arokodare
Tolu Arokodare
Attacker73'
6.86

Events

2ND-HALF
90+5'
Event
Right foot shot / 2nd Goal
Event
Foul / 4th Yellowcard
89'
Event
Argument / 3rd Yellowcard
88'
86'
Event
Foul / 2nd Yellowcard
Event
Elias Sørensen T. Sommer
9th Substitution
85'
Event
Odysseus Velanas Ryan Thomas
10th Substitution
85'
76'
Event
Left foot shot / 1st Goal
Event
Tijs Velthuis Thijs Oosting
8th Substitution
74'
73'
Event
Tolu Arokodare Abdellah Ouazane
7th Substitution
67'
Event
Marcos Leonardo Kasper Dolberg
6th Substitution
Event
Gabriël Reiziger Dylan Mbayo
5th Substitution
61'
61'
Event
Julian Brandt Steven Berghuis
2nd Substitution
61'
Event
Mika Godts Youri Regeer
3rd Substitution
61'
Event
Jorthy Mokio Oscar Gloukh
4th Substitution
Event
Damian van der Haar Ibrahim Cissoko
1st Substitution
60'
Event
Foul / 1st Redcard
57'
1ST-HALF
33'
Event
Foul / 1st Yellowcard

Match Commentary

90
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Shot by Julian Brandt with his right foot results in a goal.
90
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Julian Brandt scores to make it 0-2, assisted by Mika Godts.
89
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Koen Kostons receives a yellow card.
88
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card issued to Gabriel Reiziger.
87
Attempt Attempt
Elias Sorensen takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
86
Attempt Attempt
Elias Sorensen takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
85
Update Update
Odysseus Velanas comes on for Ryan Thomas.
85
Update Update
Elias Sorensen comes on for Tobias Sommer.
83
Attempt Attempt
Jorthy Mokio takes a left-footed shot but misses.
76
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Shot! Jorthy Mokio scores with a left-footed shot.
76
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Jorthy Mokio scores to make it 1-0.
74
Update Update
On Tijs Velthuis, off Thijs Oosting.
73
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! The score is now 0-1.
69
Attempt Attempt
Mika Godts takes a right-footed shot but misses.
69
Attempt Attempt
Lucas Oliveira Rosa takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
69
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
68
Attempt Attempt
Abdellah Ouazane takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
67
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
67
Attempt Attempt
Kasper Dolberg takes a right-footed shot but misses.
67
Attempt Attempt
Mika Godts takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
63
Attempt Attempt
Jorthy Mokio takes a left-footed shot but misses.
63
Attempt Attempt
Jorthy Mokio's right-footed shot is blocked.
63
Attempt Attempt
Lucas Oliveira Rosa takes a left-footed shot, but it is saved.
63
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
62
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
62
Attempt Attempt
Mika Godts takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
61
Update Update
Gabriel Reiziger comes on for Dylan Mbayo.
61
Update Update
On Jorthy Mokio, off Oscar Gloukh.
61
Update Update
Julian Brandt comes on for Steven Berghuis.
61
Substitution Substitution
Mika Godts is substituted for Youri Regeer.
60
Update Update
Damian van der Haar comes on for Ibrahim Cissoko.
57
Red Card Red Card Important
Red card shown to Sheral Floranus.
55
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
55
Attempt Attempt
Ibrahim Cissoko takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
53
Attempt Attempt
Youri Regeer takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
52
Attempt Attempt
Davy Klaassen attempts a header but misses the shot.
52
Attempt Attempt
Davy Klaassen attempts a header but misses the shot.
51
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
49
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
49
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
48
Attempt Attempt
Kasper Dolberg's left-footed shot is blocked.
45
Attempt Attempt
Shot by Oscar Gloukh with his right foot, but it's saved.
45
Attempt Attempt
Koen Kostons attempts a header but misses the shot.
45
Attempt Attempt
Koen Kostons takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
42
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
34
Attempt Attempt
Dylan Mbayo takes a left-footed shot but misses.
34
Attempt Attempt
Tobias Sommer takes a header, but it's saved.
34
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card issued to Abdellah Ouazane.
31
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
31
Attempt Attempt
Steven Berghuis takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
30
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card shown to Abdellah Ouazane.
23
Attempt Attempt
Steven Berghuis has a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
21
Attempt Attempt
Ibrahim Cissoko takes a left-footed shot, but it is saved.
14
Attempt Attempt
Steven Berghuis takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
14
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
13
Attempt Attempt
Kasper Dolberg takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
12
Attempt Attempt
Oscar Gloukh takes a left-footed shot but misses.
12
Attempt Attempt
Aaron Bouwman takes a shot with his head, but it's saved.
12
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
11
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
11
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
7
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
1
Update Update
Kick-off! The referee is Jannick van der Laan.

CONCLUSION

Ajax secured a controlled 0-2 win away at PEC Zwolle after a goalless first half. The visitors managed the game effectively following the home side red card. Possession and chance creation heavily favored Ajax throughout the second period. The expected goals figures reflected the dominance shown on the pitch. PEC Zwolle found limited opportunities once reduced to ten players. The result matched the pre-match assessment of team strength. Adjustments after the dismissal altered the structure and tempo of the contest. Ajax maintained composure to close out the victory without further incident.