KNVB BEKER PREVIEW |

Sunday 3rd May

PEC ZWOLLE vs. FC GRONINGEN (17:00 BST)

Ron Jans has big game experience as he leads his side into yet another final searching for his third trophy in just over twelve months as PEC Zwolle face FC Groningen in the KNVB Beker showdown at De Kuip. Looking to make a profit from the match, Will Burns discusses on what bets show the most value this coming Sunday afternoon in Rotterdam.

Zwolle can thank playmaker Jesper Drost for yet another successful season. The team currently sits in seventh in the Europa League playoff positions and the 22-year-old has been involved in more goals during this season’s Eredivisie campaign than any other player in the squad, notching eight goals with seven assists.

Attacking midfielder Stef Nijland, whom Jans has employed as a striker for part of the season, is the team’s top scorer on 11 goals. Czech international Tomas Necid is joint second with Drost on eight goals apiece.

Just below them in eighth is Sunday’s opposition, Edwin van der Looi’s FC Groningen. The Pride of the North are undefeated in the last six games which has helped sit on the edge of the playoffs themselves, however if they were to lose on Sunday, they would enter in place of Zwolle, who would qualify automatically for the tournament outright.

Van der Looi has relied heavily on Tjaronn Chery and Michael de Leeuw for goals this season, with both attackers top the tally charts on 14 each. Zwolle will also have to be aware of the aerial threat of Brazilian centre-back Eric Botteghin, who has headed three goals this term and can be a real hazard at attacking set-pieces.

In an ironic twist, Zwolle and Groningen meet next weekend in the penultimate group of the games in the Eredivisie season.

MATCH ODDS

Zwolle just have a knack of coming up big in the big games and after defeating the mighty Ajax 5-1 in last year’s final, Jans’ side will be hopeful of retaining the trophy and at a handsome 31/20 that looks a great bet at Bet Victor. Groningen are just outside that at 17/20 with the draw on 90 minutes valued at 12/5.

One thing for sure, looking at the goals markets, this game should see the goalkeepers tested often. Zwolle have only kept one clean sheet in their last 12 matches, with Groningen going one better with two shutouts in the same amount of games. On that note, Both Teams to Score is coming in at a decent 4/6. If your feeling really lucky why not combine Zwolle and BTTS for a massive 19/5.

RECCOMMENDED BETS

Zwolle to win – 31/20

Both Teams to Score – 4/6

Zwolle to win with Both Teams to Score – 19/5

All odds are with Bet Victor and may vary throughout the week leading up to Sunday’s match. Bet Victor offers the best odds for football, click here to join and claim up to £25 in free bets for all new customers.

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TotalDutchFootball.com WorldFootballWeekly.com

Sunday 20th April

PEC ZWOLLE vs. AJAX (17:00 BST)

Ron Jans and Frank de Boer lead their teams out at De Kuip later this afternoon competing for the first trophy of the Dutch football season. Winning the KNVB Beker gives Ajax a domestic double after virtually wrapping up the Eredivisie championship last weekend. For Zwolle, this could prove to be the day that they lift their first ever cup.

This could be third time lucky for the underdogs, PEC Zwolle, as the Blauwvingers have been runners-up twice in this competition in 1928 and 1977. Ron Jans heads to Rotterdam without Aussie defender Trent Sainsbury due to a knee injury, and goalkeeper Kevin Begois misses out with an ankle problem. Denis Mahmudov is also an absentee with a hamstring strain while Leroy Labelle will face a late fitness test.

Ajax are without striking duo Viktor Fischer and Siem de Jong who have been ruled out for the rest of the season. Ricardo Van Rhijn and Daley Blind were suspended for last weekend’s 3-2 win over ADO Den Haag, but will naturally return to the starting line-up today. Their return will come to the expense of young duo Jairo Riedewald and Kenny Tete. First choice central defender Joël Veltman is suspended and his spot will be filled by Mike van der Hoorn.

This game promises goals as Ajax should assert their dominance, however, in this one-off game Zwolle will be fired up and will strive to battle against the occasion as well as their superior opponents.

Obviously, Ajax hold a superior record in meetings against today’s opponents. The Amsterdammers are unbeaten in the last eight prior encounters winning seven and drawn one. That draw came in February in their most recent meeting and on that occasion, Zwolle striker Guyon Fernandez netted a late first-half goal which cancelled out Davy Klaassen’s opener to ensure the home side took a share of the spoils.

Nevertheless, despite the draw, Ajax will be the definite favourites for today’s final and should claim their 19th KNVB Beker crown.

For our best bet, Bet Victor offers 19/10 for Ajax to win with both teams scoring. This game will be open and produce many chances and with Veltman missing through injury, Zwolle will have plenty of opportunities to grabs goals.

BEST BET: Ajax to win with Both Teams to Score (19/10 – Bet Victor)

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