Sparta Rotterdam vs PEC Zwolle
Sparta and Zwolle share spoils in lively draw
A seesaw battle ends 2-2 with goals from Cissoko, Zonneveld, Babadi and Kostons.
PEC Zwolle took an early lead through I. Cissoko before M. Zonneveld quickly levelled for Sparta Rotterdam in the first half. After the break, I. Babadi restored Sparta's advantage, but K. Kostons ensured Zwolle snatched a point with a goal in the 80th minute. The 2-2 draw defied Fipster's low-confidence prediction of a narrow home win, proving this one was too close to call.
Outcome probability
The new season kicks off with Sparta Rotterdam facing PEC Zwolle in what promises to be a lively encounter. Both teams are looking to set the tone early, with fresh faces and ambitions on display.
Key facts
- 1.Sparta Rotterdam signed N. Verschuren ahead of the new season.
- 2.Sparta Rotterdam released T. Lauritsen and J. Kitolano during the summer.
- 3.PEC Zwolle parted ways with Jamiro Monteiro before the campaign.
- 4.Sparta Rotterdam finished higher than PEC Zwolle last season.
- 5.Sparta Rotterdam have a better goal difference by 5 goals compared to PEC Zwolle last season.
- 6.This is the first competitive match of the new season for both teams.
- 7.The predicted final score is Sparta Rotterdam 3, PEC Zwolle 2.
The context
Sparta Rotterdam have strengthened their squad with the signing of N. Verschuren, aiming to bolster their ranks after releasing T. Lauritsen and J. Kitolano. PEC Zwolle, meanwhile, have parted ways with Jamiro Monteiro, which could impact their midfield options. This fixture marks the first competitive match for both sides this campaign, setting the stage for a keenly contested battle.
Player Insights
Standout players Fipster expects to impact the match — curated highlights, not full squad lists
Home — Sparta Rotterdam
Away — PEC Zwolle
Analysis
Looking at last season's standings, Sparta Rotterdam finished higher than PEC Zwolle and boast a better goal difference by five goals, suggesting a slight edge in attacking and defensive balance. The prediction leans towards a high-scoring game, with Sparta expected to net three goals against Zwolle's two. This indicates an open contest where both sides will find opportunities, but Sparta's home advantage and squad additions might just tip the scales.
Prediction
The forecast is for a narrow home win with a 3-2 scoreline. Expect Sparta Rotterdam to take the lead and hold on despite PEC Zwolle's efforts to fight back. The match should be entertaining, with goals at both ends and a close finish.
The verdict
As the season opener, this match sets the tone for both teams. Sparta Rotterdam will be keen to start strongly and justify their summer business, while PEC Zwolle will look to overcome their departures and challenge for points. Fans can anticipate a thrilling encounter with plenty of attacking intent.
Form as the teams went into this match — excludes this result and anything since.
Team Comparison
Season shape — attack, defence, form, clean sheets & win rate
Home vs Away comparison
Goal difference in each of the last few fixtures — above the line is a net win, below is a net loss
Season comparison
Goals scored & conceded, goal difference and clean sheets across the season
Halftime Performance
What each side does once the whistle goes for half time
Streaks
Recent-form runs — each side’s most-recent game meets in the middle
Head to Head
Cissoko
Assist: Mbayo
Zonneveld
Assist: Baas
Floranus
Yellow Card
Oosting
Terho
Babadi
Assist: Zonneveld
Cissoko
Floranus
Hatenboer
Baas
Kostons
Assist: Sommer
Sommer
Yellow Card
Martins Indi
Zonneveld
Sommer
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  PSV Eindhoven | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | +15 | 16 |
| 11 |  Heerenveen | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | -2 | 6 |
| 12 |  Sparta Rotterdam | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -3 | 5 |
| 13 |  Telstar | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -6 | 5 |
| 15 |  Cambuur | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -9 | 4 |
| 16 |  PEC Zwolle | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -11 | 4 |
| 17 |  Willem II | 5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | -9 | 2 |
Match Statistics
Sparta Rotterdam
4-2-3-1Starting XI
- 1M. BrouwerG
- 2L. MartesD
- 3M. YoungD
- 4B. Martins IndiD
- 5B. KuipersD
- 6J. BaasM
- 7C. TerhoM
- 8Cedric HatenboerM
- 9M. ZonneveldF
- 10S. MitoM
- 11M. van BergenM
Substitutes
- 12B. ReithD
- 13N. VerschurenD
- 14Teo QuinteroD
- 15G. VianelloD
- 16A. RoaldsøyM
- 18J. ToornstraM
- 20F. BednarekG
- 21I. BabadiM
- 22Joel IdehoF
- 30P. KuiperG
PEC Zwolle
4-2-3-1Starting XI
- 1J. SchendelaarG
- 2S. FloranusD
- 3O. AertssenD
- 8T. SommerM
- 10K. KostonsF
- 11D. MbayoM
- 22I. CissokoM
- 24N. ViergeverD
- 25T. OostingM
- 28S. GravesD
- 30R. ThomasM
Substitutes
- 4T. VelthuisD
- 9E. SørensenF
- 16T. de GraaffG
- 17S. van HooijdonkF
- 18O. VelanasM
- 20G. ReizigerM
- 26Jadiel Pereira da GamaM
- 33D. van der HaarD
- 34N. FichtingerM
- 37Gilles van der WalM
- 38G. RahajaänM
- 41D. VerduinG
Sparta Rotterdam
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M. Zonneveld | F | 86 | 8.5 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0/1 |
| J. Baas | M | 79 | 7.4 | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | 0/1 |
| Cedric Hatenboer | M | 79 | 7.2 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 0/1 |
| I. Babadi | M | 22 | 7.1 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| M. van Bergen | M | 90 | 7.1 | — | — | 4 | 3 | 4 | 2/2 |
| M. Young | D | 90 | 6.8 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| B. Martins Indi | D | 86 | 6.7 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| M. Brouwer | G | 90 | 6.6 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| L. Martes | D | 90 | 6.6 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — |
| S. Mito | M | 90 | 6.4 | — | — | 5 | — | 2 | 1/1 |
| B. Kuipers | D | 90 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| C. Terho | M | 68 | 6.2 | — | — | 3 | — | 1 | 1/3 |
| N. Verschuren | D | 4 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| J. Toornstra | M | 11 | 6.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| A. Roaldsøy | M | 11 | 6.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Joel Ideho | F | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| F. Bednarek | G | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| P. Kuiper | G | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| G. Vianello | D | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| B. Reith | D | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Teo Quintero | D | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
PEC Zwolle
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K. Kostons | F | 90 | 7.8 | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0/2 |
| J. Schendelaar | G | 90 | 7.8 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| T. Sommer | M | 88 | 7.7 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1/2 |
| I. Cissoko | M | 75 | 7.4 | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1/7 |
| D. Mbayo | M | 90 | 7.0 | — | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1/1 |
| S. Graves | D | 90 | 6.9 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — |
| S. van Hooijdonk | F | 15 | 6.6 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| E. Sørensen | F | 2 | 6.5 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| N. Viergever | D | 90 | 6.5 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| O. Aertssen | D | 90 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| S. Floranus | D | 75 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| D. van der Haar | D | 15 | 6.2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| R. Thomas | M | 90 | 6.1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1/1 |
| O. Velanas | M | 27 | 6.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| T. Oosting | M | 63 | 5.9 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| G. Reiziger | M | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| N. Fichtinger | M | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| D. Verduin | G | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| T. Velthuis | D | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| T. de Graaff | G | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Gilles van der Wal | M | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Jadiel Pereira da Gama | M | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| G. Rahajaän | M | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Prediction Q&A
- Who did Fipster predict to win Sparta Rotterdam vs PEC Zwolle?
- Fipster's AI model predicted Sparta Rotterdam to win against PEC Zwolle.
- What score did Fipster predict for Sparta Rotterdam vs PEC Zwolle?
- Fipster predicted a final score of Sparta Rotterdam 3–2 PEC Zwolle.
- What were the win probabilities for Sparta Rotterdam vs PEC Zwolle?
- Fipster's model gave Sparta Rotterdam a 35% chance of winning, PEC Zwolle a 32% chance, and a 33% chance of a draw.
- How confident was Fipster in this prediction?
- Fipster's model assigned this prediction 35% confidence — a low-confidence call.