FC Groningen welcome PEC Zwolle to the Euroborg on September 18 for an Eredivisie fixture between two teams seeking improvement after six league matches. Groningen sit ninth with eight points from two wins, two draws and two defeats, while PEC Zwolle are 16th after recording one win, one draw and four losses. Neither side enters the game in convincing form, and defensive problems have been a recurring feature of their respective starts to the season. The hosts have conceded an average of 2.2 goals per league match, while the visitors have allowed 2.8. Those numbers, combined with several strong scoring trends, suggest that both teams could have opportunities in a potentially open contest.

FC Groningen Recent Form and Key Statistics

FC Groningen began their Eredivisie campaign with a 2-1 victory over FC Utrecht and a 4-1 success against ADO Den Haag. However, they have failed to win any of their following four league fixtures. Their latest result was a 1-1 draw with Go Ahead Eagles on September 12, extending a run in which positive attacking output has not always been supported by sufficient defensive stability.

Across their last five matches, Groningen have registered one victory, two draws and two defeats. They averaged 2.0 goals scored per game during that sequence but conceded an even higher 2.4 goals per match. Their full season averages tell a similar story: 2.0 goals scored and 2.2 allowed. Heavy defeats against PSV Eindhoven and Fortuna Sittard, by scores of 5-1 and 3-2 respectively, underline how costly their defensive issues have become.

The hosts have conceded in every Eredivisie game this season, meaning their attacking production has frequently been required simply to keep them competitive. Their goal-related trends remain notable:

• There have been over 1.5 total goals in each of their last 11 Eredivisie matches.
• At least one first-half goal has been recorded in their last 11 league games.
• A second-half goal has featured in 36 of their last 40 matches in all competitions.
• At least one goal after half-time has also appeared in 35 of their last 39 Eredivisie fixtures.

These figures indicate that Groningen matches have consistently produced action in both halves. A more balanced performance will be necessary if the home side are to turn their scoring ability into three points. They have shown that they can find the net regularly, but controlling transitions and reducing the number of chances conceded will be equally important against opponents with a strong away scoring record.

PEC Zwolle Recent Form and Key Statistics

PEC Zwolle travel to Groningen after a difficult opening phase of the campaign. Their only league victory was a 2-0 away success against SC Heerenveen, and their six Eredivisie games have produced one win, one draw and four defeats. The visitors have averaged 1.0 goal scored and 2.8 conceded per match this season, leaving their defensive record as a major concern before this fixture.

Their latest outing ended in a 7-0 defeat against Feyenoord on September 13. That result followed other damaging losses, including 3-1 scorelines against NEC Nijmegen and FC Twente. Across the last five matches, PEC Zwolle have collected one victory and one draw while suffering three defeats. They scored an average of 1.2 goals per game in that period and conceded 3.0.

Despite those problems, the visitors have regularly contributed to the scoring away from home. At least one PEC Zwolle goal has been recorded in 19 of their last 20 away matches, while they have conceded at least once in 19 of those same 20 fixtures. Both teams found the net in 18 of the last 20 PEC Zwolle away games, highlighting the contrast between their ability to create chances and their difficulty protecting their own goal.

• PEC Zwolle's last 20 away matches have all produced over 1.5 total goals.
• Their last 19 Eredivisie away fixtures have also contained at least two total goals.
• A second-half goal has been scored in each of their last 20 away matches.
• Both teams scored in 18 of their previous 20 away games.
• Both sides scored after half-time in nine of their last 15 Eredivisie away fixtures.

PEC Zwolle may therefore see Groningen's defensive vulnerability as a route back into form. However, resisting a home attack averaging two goals per league game will require a substantial improvement from a back line that has conceded heavily in recent weeks.

FC Groningen vs PEC Zwolle Match Analysis

The available statistics point towards a game shaped by attacking opportunities and defensive uncertainty. FC Groningen have the stronger season record and are given a 54% win probability, compared with 25% for the draw and 21% for a PEC Zwolle victory. Home advantage and PEC's run of four defeats in six league matches make Groningen the more favored side, but the hosts' own defensive numbers prevent this from looking straightforward.

The previous meeting finished 1-1 on March 13, 2026. Across the supplied head-to-head summary, Groningen have no wins, four draws and one defeat against PEC Zwolle, averaging 0.6 goals scored and 1.0 conceded. That record offers the visitors some encouragement, even though current-season statistics place the hosts in the stronger position.

Goals remain the central theme of this Eredivisie match preview. Groningen have scored at a healthy rate but are yet to keep their opponents out in league competition. PEC Zwolle, meanwhile, have conceded almost three times per game this season, yet their long-term away trends show that they usually score as well. The probability for both teams to score is 53%, matching the 53% assigned to over 2.5 goals.

There is also a strong chance of early activity, given that every one of Groningen's last 11 league matches has contained a first-half goal. The repeated second-half scoring trends for both clubs further suggest that the contest may remain active after the interval. With each team needing points and both defenses showing clear weaknesses, an open encounter with several goals is the most coherent expectation.

FC Groningen vs PEC Zwolle prediction from BetMines: Over 2.5 goals with 53% probability.