Preview: Go Ahead Eagles vs. FC Utrecht - prediction, team news, lineups

The Eagles managed to beat second-tier side Heracles away from home whereas Utrecht got the better of Blauw Geel to advance to the next stage of that competition.

Match preview

A curling strike from Isac Lidberg was enough to defeat Eerste Divisie leaders Heracles on Thursday night in the KNVB Cup, a win which ensured their place in the third-round draw of a competition the club have never won.

That cup victory extended the Deventer-based side's unbeaten run to a remarkable 12 games in all competitions, a record which stretches back to early September.

Rene Hake's men lost their first five matches in the Eredivisie - which understanbly raised concerns about their survival credentials - but they are now sitting very comfortably in the league standings after such an impressive run of form.

Possessing a healthy seven-point gap between themselves and FC Emmen in the relegation-playoff position, Hake can focus on closing the distance to Sunday's opponents Utrecht who occupy the final Europa Conference League playoff spot.

Utrecht were also in KNVB Cup action during the week where they easily beat fourth-tier Blauw Geel to advance into the third round courtesy of goals from Sander van de Streek, Jens Toornstra and Anastasios Douvikas.

The Cathedral citizens are unbeaten since returning from the month-long break due to the World Cup - albeit they have only played competitively twice and are yet to pick up a maximum since the Eredivisie resumed.

A point on home soil against high-flying Feyenoord is nothing to be ashamed of however, with the visitors that day only being spared a point thanks to a 90th-minute equaliser from Iranian Alireza Jahanbakhsh.

Sitting seventh in the Eredivisie standings, Utrecht are amongst a host of clubs vying for a European Conference League playoff place, with Sparta Rotterdam and SC Heerenveen looking set to battle Michael Silberbauer's side for a spot in the top seven.

Go Ahead Eagles Eredivisie form:

D

D

W

D

D

W

FC Utrecht Eredivisie form:

L

W

W

W

W

D

Team News

Go Ahead Eagles will remain without the services of midfielder Philippe Rommens for Sunday's clash due to the 25-year-old's shoulder injury, meaning Enric Llansana and Tesfaldet Tekie are set to be the defensive-midfield duo once again for the hosts.

Federico Mattiello has been a long-term absentee for the Eagles owing to a knee injury, but the midfielder could be involved for the first time since his side's 3-2 win at FC Volendam in September.

Utrecht have an extensive injury list ahead of a trip to Deventer, with both Bart Ramselaar and Django Warmerdam sidelined with knee issues.

Mimoun Mahi will also be unavailable on Sunday due to a knock picked up in October, with Silberbauer's options running thin as the league campaign begins to pick up pace.

Go Ahead Eagles possible starting lineup:

De Lange; Deiji, Nauber, Idzes, Kuipers; Tekie, Llansana, Willumsson, Adekanye, Edvardsen; Lidberg

FC Utrecht possible starting lineup:

Barkas; Klaiber, Van der Hoorn, Sagnan, Van der Maarel; Van de Streek, Toornstra, Bozdogan; Booth, Dost, Boussaid

We say: Go Ahead Eagles 1-1 FC Utrecht

Go Ahead Eagles are on a sensational run of form and will be confident of extending their unbeaten record against a Utrecht side who have not won a league game since November.

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