Preview: FC Twente vs. FC Utrecht - prediction, team news, lineups

Both sides have come out on top in their last two matches heading into this weekend's meeting which promises to be a keenly-contested affair.

Match preview

Twente ran out emphatic winners against SBV Excelsior thanks to a routine 3-0 victory in Saturday's encounter at Van Donge & De Roo Stadion.

Joseph Oosting's men made a fast start to the contest and raced to a three-goal lead thanks to Daan Rots' opener and a Ricky van Wolfswinkel brace.

Consequently, The Tukkers remain third in the Eredivisie table, five points behind Feyenoord and a further 10 adrift of leaders PSV Eindhoven.

Coming up next is the challenge of an opposing outfit with little to choose between the sides over the most recent six meetings which have yielded two wins apiece and two stalemates.

Having scored 11 times across their last four matches on home turf, Sunday's hosts will be looking to put on another attacking masterclass in front of their fans.

Utrecht recorded arguably their most impressive result of the campaign as they claimed a 4-0 win over Fortuna Sittard at Stadion Galgenwaard on Sunday.

Two goals from Taylor Booth either side of Othman Boussaid's strike put Ron Jans's men in pole position after which Sam Lammers sealed the deal 12 minutes from time.

With 26 points picked up from 21 matches, De Domstedelingen sit ninth in the standings, one point behind PEC Zwolle in the race for the final European place.

Unbeaten in five of their last six outings on the road, Sunday's visitors have established themselves as a tough nut to crack away from home of late.

FC Twente Eredivisie form:

D

W

L

D

W

W

FC Twente form (all competitions):

W

L

L

D

W

W

FC Utrecht Eredivisie form:

D

D

D

D

W

W

FC Utrecht form (all competitions):

L

D

D

D

W

W

Team News

Kevin Gadellaa is unavailable for Utrecht through a knee problem, while goalkeeper Vasilios Barkas continues to battle with a muscle problem.

Ole ter Haar Romeny is set to sit out a second straight game due to a finger problem and is joined on the treatment table by Anthony Descotte and Bart Ramselaar.

Isac Lidberg remains without an appearance since early December due to a calf problem but the Swede is drawing increasingly closer to a comeback.

Ricky van Wolfswinkel will be expected to retain his place in the XI having found the back of the net for a second successive start last time out.

Sem Steijn was on target for the hosts in the reverse meeting between Sunday's opponents and the 22-year-old will be looking to deliver the goods once again.

FC Twente possible starting lineup:

Unnerstall; Smal, Propper, Hilgers, Brenet; Sadilek, Eiting; Vlap, Steijn, Rots; Van Wolfswinkel

FC Utrecht possible starting lineup:

Branderhorst; Ter Avest, Van der Hoorn, Viergever, El Karouani; Flamingo, Iqbal; Booth, Toornstra, Boussaid; Lammers

We say: FC Twente 3-1 FC Utrecht

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