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

Both sides lost their last league encounters, with the hosts losing at Volendam and Utreg unable to prevent a 3-1 defeat against title-chasing Feyenoord.

Match preview

Cambuur must already know their fate before the imminent round of games in the Eredivisie, where defeat puts an end to the club's top-flight status.

The Yellow-Blues are 12 points from safety with four games to play but have a similar goal difference with Excelsior in the relegation playoff position.

Sjors Ultee's team must win every game and require Excelsior to lose four on the trot if they are to play for a third straight year in the Eredivisie.

However, six consecutive defeats since Cambuur's 4-1 triumph over Go Ahead Eagles in early March implies it is fanciful to think a late escape is attainable.

SCC have won just four games all season, with only two coming in the New Year, so confidence in surviving demotion to the Eerste Divisie must be low.

As for Utrecht, Michael Silberbauer's side look to bounce back from the Feyenoord defeat that ended a three-game unbeaten run (two wins).

Utreg occupy the final European playoff spot and hold a seven-point lead over NEC Nijmegen, Waalwijk and Heerenveen with 12 points to play for this season.

Success for the visitors on Saturday increases their chances of ending seventh, as they would then require just two points to guarantee a playoff position, provided the teams below them do not drop points.

Utrecht's away form gives assuredness heading into Saturday's fixture, as Silberbauer's team have scored 31 of their 46 goals on the road, although their tendency to concede (32 goals against) has not gone unnoticed.

Be that as it may, they have the competition's sixth-best away record, making them favourites against the league's lowest scorers.

Cambuur Eredivisie form:

L

L

L

L

L

L

FC Utrecht Eredivisie form:

D

L

D

W

W

L

Team News

Remco Balk is suspended for the hosts after getting booked in Cambuur's 2-0 defeat against Volendam.

Maxim Gullit, Robin Maulun, Silvester van der Water and Joao Virginia are injured and not expected to feature this weekend.

Django Warmerdam suffered a knee injury in October, and the left-back has not featured for Utrecht since.

Ramon Hendriks is sidelined until the end of the season after picking up a knee injury of his last month, but Calvin Raatsie may make the squad after missing four months of action.

Cambuur possible starting lineup:

Ruiter; Schmidt, Tol, Smand, Sylla; Kaam, Hoedemakers, Paulissen; Breij, Johnsen, Foor

FC Utrecht possible starting lineup:

Keijzer; Klaiber, Hoorn, Viergever, Maarel; Toornstra, Brouwers; Jensen, Streek, Boussaid; Douvikas

We say: Cambuur 1-2 FC Utrecht

Cambuur have averaged less than a goal on their turf all season, conceding two goals a game in 15 matches at the Cambuurstadion.

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