In this section, RTV Oost lists useless facts, fun facts and forgotten moments from the past of the Overijssel clubs.
PEC Zwolle – NEC
If the revival of PEC Zwolle continues with the third victory in a row, the last place can be said goodbye. Winning NEC and losing matches against Fortuna Sittard and Sparta could even mean a jump to sixteenth place.
NEC has not had much to say in Zwolle in recent years. The last four meetings (2x Eredivisie, 2x Cup) were all won by PEC. For the last NEC victory we have to go back to 2012. The home team experienced a dramatic first half hour, conceded two penalties and saw keeper Leon ter Wielen disappear with the red card. Both penalties were used by Ryan Koolwijk, who is currently under contract with PEC. It eventually became 0-4 for NEC. PEC ended the game with nine players as Joey van den Berg was also ejected.
In Nijmegen, PEC lost 2-0 earlier this season. That score had already been reached at halftime and in the final phase PEC defender Sam Kersten received the red card.
Kick-off: Saturday 8 p.m.
FC Twente – Vitesse
FC Twente, together with AZ, is the longest unbeaten team in the Eredivisie, the counter is now on nine games in a row without defeat.
But Twente has not been able to beat Vitesse at home in recent years. Last year it became 1-2 after three fiercely contested penalties. Danilo used one on behalf of the home team, Oussama Tananne hit twice from eleven meters for Vitesse, the last of which was deep in injury time in the second half.
Twente booked a handsome 1-4 victory in Arnhem this season. Robin Pröpper (2x), Ricky van Wolfgswinkel (penalty) and Michel Vlap were effective. The last victory in Enschede dates from 2016 when Enes Ünal and Bersant Celina FC Twente shot to the 2-1 victory against the Arnhem team.
Remarkable: the latest Twente acquisition Joshue Brenet played his last match two years ago in the Eredivisie on behalf of Vitesse against the Enschede team.
Kick-off: Saturday 9 p.m.
FC Groningen – Go Ahead Eagles
History shows that Groningen is not exactly the favorite outing for Go Ahead. The residents of Deventer have only won twice at the local FC.
The last win was 27 years ago. In 1995 it was 2-3 with a leading role for Harry Decheiver who accounted for all Go Ahead hits. The other Go Ahead victory dates from 1972: a wonderful long shot by Bert van Marwijk meant the only and therefore winning goal.
FC Groningen won 0-1 in the Adelaarshorst this season. That duel experienced a historic first: Franca Overtoom was the first female linesman in the Eredivisie.
Kick-off: Sunday 2.30 pm.
Ajax – Heracles
Visiting Ajax in the knowledge that you are the worst performing team in the Eredivisie in away matches; Heracles is not to be envied.
Heracles has not won a single away game this season. The counter stands at a paltry two points and only six goals on foreign soil. Heracles last won in March last year at ADO Den Haag (1-2) and then thirteen matches without a win follow.
Past results at Ajax do not offer an ounce of hope for an Almelo victory. The last two encounters ended in 5-0 and 4-1. Heracles came back four times with a point from the capital, the last time in 2018, 1-1. Kristoffer Peterson seemed to shoot Heracles to victory, but Matthijs de Ligt prevented a stunt.
Only one victory since the start of professional football, a prehistoric one in 1964. That season Heracles traveled to Amsterdam as the leader and goals from Hennie van Nee, Roel Greving (2x) and Herman Morsink made it 1-4.
A slip like earlier this season in Almelo (0-0) will Ajax want to avoid at all costs.
Kick-off: Sunday 4.45 pm.
All matches can be followed live in the Oosttribune via Radio Oost.
