FC Emmen V Zwolle
Friday 30th August 2019 – 19:00 Kick-Off
Netherlands Eredivisie
Pick: Under 2.5 Goals
Odds: 28/25
Bookmaker: MarathonBet
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7/5 | 49/20 | 7/4 |
* (All betting odds displayed were correct as of 28th August 2019 at 17:55)
Preview: We would appear to have an early relegation six-pointer on our hands here, as two teams either inside or hovering precariously above the drop zone meet inside De Oude Meerdijk, the home stadium for FC Emmen.
Netherlands Football Betting with 22Bet
FC Emmen Preview – Impressive form at home set to continue?
The 2018-19 season was considered a big success for FC Emmen. To finish in 14th position might not sound all that, but for a club that were competing in the Dutch top-flight for the very first time, it was a fine achievement. Once again the objective for the season will be retaining their status in the Eredivisie; however, all the early indications would suggest replicating their previous efforts will not be straightforward.
It remains early days, for sure, but four games in and the alarm bells are already ringing following last week’s 2-1 loss at Willem II. Marko Kolar had drawn Emmen level from the penalty spot on the hour mark. Parity, however, lasted all of fifteen minutes as Dick Lukkien’s side slumped to a 2-1 defeat, their third of the season after losing their opening two fixtures at home to Groningen (0-1) and away to champions Ajax (5-0).
Were it not for a 2-0 home win over Heerenveen on Matchday 3, Emmen would be preparing for this next encounter in the relegation places instead of occupying 14th-place. As it is, they must somehow gear themselves up for an unfavourable match-up with an opponent whom, despite the likelihood of being embroiled in a battle for survival similar to themselves, has prevailed in each of the previous four league meetings.
Emmen were beaten 1-0 in this same fixture last season, which was one of seven defeats incurred at home in 2018-19 (W5 D5 L7, GF23 GA31). However, that aforementioned victory over Heerenveen in their latest home fixture represented the fourth occasion in the last five such games they were victorious in front of their supporters, registering wins towards the end of last season over Heerenveen (2-0), FC Utrecht (2-0) and Groningen (1-0).
Zwolle Preview – Visitors to claim fifth successive league win versus Emmen?
The start to the 2019-20 Eredivisie season can only be described as nigthmarish for Zwolle, who approach Matchday 5 second from bottom in the league table. It could have been worse, though, were it not for a 2-2 draw last weekend at home to Sparta Rotterdam. That result represented their first points of the campaign and is all that is keeping them from propping up the league in stone last.
So, can they now build on that positive outcome last time out? Some worrying away displays, in 3-0 and 3-1 defeats at FC Utrecht and Vitesse Arnhem respectively, would perhaps suggest otherwise. Of more concern will be the sheer volume of goals currently being conceded; that 2-2 draw with Sparta Rotterdam not only stopped a losing rot but was also the first occasion in which they didn’t ship at least three goals in a game.
To concede eleven goals in only four matches is an alarming trend, even at such an early stage in proceedings. The fact nine of them were scored after half-time implies a team unable to retain sufficient concentration for the full course of the game. If Zwolle are to take an early lead in this game, something they have managed on two separate occasions, the chances of them retaining it are questionable based on early evidence.
Last season, however, Zwolle were a useful side on their travels. A 1-0 victory in the same fixture was one of five victories secured away from home, with their away record ranking as the ninth-best in the division (W5 D3 L9, GF13 GA26). That they only found the back of the net on 13 occasions was a figure inferior to all of their rivals bar NAC Breda, a team who subsequently finished rock-bottom.
Emmen V Zwolle Key Facts:
- Emmen have fallen to three defeats in their opening four league matches (W1 D0 L3).
- Zwolle finally secured their first point of the season last time out, having lost three league games in a row prior (W0 D1 L3).
- The previous four league encounters were all won by Zwolle, who were 1-0 victors on their most recent visit to Emmen.
Betting Summary
Three defeats from four league games in 2019-20 is a dismal return. It is still a slight improvement on their opponents, though, and that alone highlights how important this fixture is to Emmen. In only their second season in the Dutch top-flight, they will be well aware that winnable games are priceless – and this match-up definitely falls into that category. Four wins from their last five fixtures played at home would suggest a team capable of triumphing here.
Sharing the spoils with Sparta Rotterdam last time out, drawing 2-2 at home, at least stopped the rot for Zwolle, who were on a three game losing streak at that stage. Defensively, though, they have been incredibly susceptible, conceding a minimum of two goals in every game so far this season. However, they did beat Emmen home and away in the last league campaign.
Neither of these teams have shone defensively, but their own poor goal returns shouldn’t be overlooked either. Both have averaged no more than one goal per game (Emmen 3 in 4 and Zwolle 4 in 4). Meanwhile, only one team averaged fewer goals at home last season than Emmen (23), while the same applies to Zwolle away (13). Therefore, backing few goals makes some sense.
