Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

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

sportsmole.co.uk, 21 October 2022, 11:59
Sparta Rotterdam travel to the Stadion Galgenwaard to take on FC Utrecht in the Eredivisie on Sunday, with the away side looking for a fourth win on the bounce.

The home side are in opposite form, aiming to avoid three defeats in a row in the league.

Match preview

Utrecht are probably about where they expected to be in the league standings, sitting in ninth place, two points shy of the playoff positions.

Domstedelingen endured a shaky start to the season, only acquiring two points from their opening four games, losing 3-2 in particularly disappointing style at Emmen after twice throwing away a lead.

This was put right with 10 points in the following four fixtures, winning a 4-3 thriller against Fortuna Sittard and grinding out 1-0 wins against Vitesse and Excelsior.

However, since then it has been a return to their old ways, losing in admittedly tough fixtures against AZ Alkmaar and PSV to slip back down the league standings.

A loss away in Eindhoven may have been expected, but the manner of it will disappoint manager Henk Fraser, losing 6-1 at the Philips Stadion following a late brace from Anwar El-Ghazi.

As such, the Utrecht manager will be hoping for a response from his side in what is a winnable game against Sparta Rotterdam, with only three places separating the teams in the league standings.

Indeed, Sparta have enjoyed a much-improved Eredivisie campaign so far, up to sixth after finishing in 14th in the 2021-22 season.

De Kasteelheren have only lost one of their last seven league games, although it will have been a particularly tough one to take, with the defeat coming at city-rivals Feyenoord in a 3-0 drubbing.

Maurice Steijn's side have shown no signs of slowing down in the games since, however, winning three and drawing one to ensure that they now sit comfortably in the playoff places.

Last time out, Sparta became the first side to beat NEC in nine games, comprehensive 2-0 winners after first-half goals from Dirk Abels and Jonathan de Guzman.

Having not won away in the league since a 1-0 victory at Go Ahead Eagles in August, Sunday's game will represent a difficult challenge for Steijn's side, particularly given the fact that they are winless in their last 15 attempts against Utrecht, an incredible run stretching back to 2008.

FC Utrecht Eredivisie form:

W

W

D

W

L

L

Sparta Rotterdam Eredivisie form:

W

L

W

D

W

W

Team News

Bas Dost has been in fine form for Utrecht so far this season, notching five goals and an assist in 10 league appearances, and the striker is set to lead the line again for his side.

Sander van de Streek has also been impressive, scoring in two of Domstedelingen's last three league games from an attacking-midfield role, where he is poised to start on Sunday.

Centre-back Mark van der Maarel has been the first choice in his side's last eight games, where he will be accompanied by summer-signing Modibo Sagnan, with the pair forming a consistent partnership recently.

For Sparta, Younes Namli has missed the last two matches with a knee injury, and the midfielder remains a doubt for this weekend's clash.

Vito van Crooij was only deemed well enough to feature from the bench in the last two matches after suffering with an illness, but the man who has racked up an impressive five goals and three assists so far this season should be back in contention to start in the trip to Utrecht.

FC Utrecht possible starting lineup:

Barkas; Van Der Kust, Sagnan, Van Der Maarel, Klaiber; Toornstra, Bozdogan, Booth, Van De Streek, Sylla; Dost

Sparta Rotterdam possible starting lineup:

Olij; Abels, Vriends, Auassar, Pinto; Kitolano, De Guzman, Mijnans, Van Crooij, Saito; Lauritsen

We say: FC Utrecht 1-1 Sparta Rotterdam

Sparta Rotterdam have been in fantastic form recently, but they are coming up against what is very much their bogey side in FC Utrecht, having failed to beat them in their last 15 attempts. As such, we expect this one to be a closely-contested draw.

Previews by email

Top News

26 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Wolverhampton Wanderers youngster Bastien Meupiyou has finally made his first appearance for the Premier League club. 26 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly contemplating an approach for Hammarby winger Bazoumana Toure. 26 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have reportedly established whether they consider Ipswich Town forward Liam Delap to be a future transfer target. 26 November 2024 talksport.com Tottenham will consider signing a new goalkeeper in January following the injury to Guglielmo Vicario, talkSPORT understands. 26 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has seemingly ended any chance of Arda Guler leaving the club during the January transfer window. 26 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to take one step closer to the last 16, Europa League leaders Lazio will welcome Ludogorets Razgrad to Stadio Olimpico on Thursday. 26 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Another Premier League gameweek, another weekend of Liverpool streaking clear while Manchester City falter, as Arne Slot's men established an eight-point lead at the top of the rankings with a thrilling 3-2 comeback win over Southampton. 26 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk With all eyes fixed on the January transfer market, clubs around the UK and Europe are already lining up potential mid-season moves. 26 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Slovan Bratislava vs. AC Milan (Tuesday, 5.45pm) Seeking a third straight Champions League win, Italian giants AC Milan will meet struggling Slovan Bratislava at Stadion Tehelne Pole on Tuesday evening. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur defender Sergio Reguilon is allegedly hoping to agree to the mutual termination of his contract. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ruben Amorim will look to claim his first win as Manchester United head coach when his side welcome Bodo/Glimt to Old Traffordfor Thursday's Europa League contest. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has been accused of 'thinking about himself' by fellow club legend Jamie Carragher. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk On matchday five of the Champions League, Dinamo Zagreb will welcome inconsistent Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund to Stadion Maksimir on Wednesday. 25 November 2024 talksport.com Jamie Carragher has revealed he's been left 'very disappointed' by Mohamed Salah after he delivered a huge Liverpool contract update. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly held "positive" contract talks with the agent of Mohamed Salah, despite comments suggesting otherwise. 25 November 2024 talksport.com Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has revealed he played over an hour with a broken ankle against Manchester City. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Austrian champions Sturm Graz are set to welcome Spanish side Girona to Worthersee Stadion on Wednesday in their fifth Champions League fixture of the season. 25 November 2024 talksport.com Curtis Jones currently tops an important midfield metric thanks to an impressive season with Liverpool thus far. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Millwall will look to extend their eight-game unbeaten run when they travel to Fratton Park for Wednesday's Championship clash with Portsmouth. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk No doubt one of the most eagerly-awaited battles of the 2024-25 Champions League, six-time winners Liverpool and 15-time champions Real Madrid collide in Wednesday's mouthwatering Anfield showdown. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona will be aiming to return to winning ways when they host Brest in the Champions League on Tuesday night. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern Munich will welcome Paris Saint-Germain to Allianz Arena in the Champions League on Tuesday night. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk At risk of a scarcely believable sixth straight loss in all competitions, a wounded Manchester City take on Feyenoord in the Champions League league phase on Tuesday. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Fresh from a first Premier League victory in weeks, Arsenal's next Champions League quest on Tuesday night sees them visit a Sporting Lisbon side who have won a staggering 14 home games on the spin. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Eredivisie leaders PSV Eindhoven welcome Shakhtar Donetsk to the Philips Stadion on matchday five of the Champions League this wednesday. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Strong starters Monaco welcome an in-form Benfica side to the Stade Louis II on matchday five of the Champions League on Wednesday night. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal have reportedly included defender Kieran Tierney in their travelling squad for Tuesday night's Champions League clash at Sporting Lisbon. 25 November 2024 talksport.com Luka Modric has named a star-studded six-a-side team of footballing legends but there's no room for Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City's Champions League encounter with Feyenoord at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday is "a must-win for many reasons", Citizens expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany has told Sports Mole. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have received a double injury boost ahead of Tuesday night's Champions League clash with Feyenoord at the Etihad.