Spartavs.Utrecht

Match preview

Sparta Rotterdam secured a much-needed return to winning ways by running out convincing 6-1 winners over Derde Divisie outfit USV Hercules in Thursday's round-of-64 matchup at the Sportpark Maarschalkerweerd.

After going behind to Sel Bastmeijer's opener, Jeroen Rijsdijk's men levelled matters through Arno Verschueren to take the tie into extra time, where Aymane Bais and Charles-Andreas Brym netted two goals apiece either side of Ayoub Oufkir's strike to seal the deal.

Just before that, De Rood-Witte Gladiatoren were on the receiving end of a 2-0 defeat against Heerenveen and have managed just two points from the last available 12 in league action since beating RKC Waalwijk on September 21.

Unsurprisingly, this slump in form has seen Sparta drop down to 11th place in the Eredivisie table, three points shy of the top half and as many points clear of relegation danger after the first 10 rounds of matches.

A chance to get themselves back on track now beckons this weekend, but the home side do not have fond memories of their recent meetings against the visitors, having managed just two wins from the last 22 encounters.

Sparta's home record this season is also a huge concern for Sunday's hosts, who are still yet to claim all three points from a league game in front of their fans after five attempts but have lost only once in that time.

FC Utrecht successfully navigated the challenge of lower league opposition Lisse to secure safe passage into the next phase of the KNVB Beker thanks to a 2-1 win at Sportpark Ter Specke on Thursday.

Goals in either half from Can Bozdogan and Miguel Rodriguez secured a routine triumph for Ron Jans's men despite Enoch George's consolation strike in stoppage time which set up a frenetic final couple of minutes.

That was a perfect response to De Domstedelingen's 2-0 defeat to Feyenoord on Sunday which snapped their six-game winning streak dating back to a 2-1 triumph over NAC Breda on August 24.

With Feyenoord, FC Twente and AZ Alkmaar still yet to find their feet this term, Utrecht have emerged as PSV's nearest challengers so far alongside Ajax as they sit eight points behind the defending champions, albeit having played one game fewer.

In the first of three very winnable fixtures for Sunday's visitors this month, Utrecht will be keen to come away with maximum points before welcoming Heracles to the Stadion Galgenwaard in their final outing before the international break.

Sparta Rotterdam Eredivisie form:

L

W

D

L

D

L

FC Utrecht Eredivisie form:

W

W

W

W

W

L

Team News

Teo Quintero continues to battle with a meniscus injury, and the Venezuelan defender is unfit to participate in a fifth straight game for Sparta Rotterdam.

Jonathan de Guzman is also unavailable for the home side through a muscle problem, but Tobias Lauritsen and Mike Eerdhuijzen are back from concussion and suspension respectively.

Long-term absentee Kevin Gadellaa is still a significant way off making his return to action from a knee injury he picked up against Roda earlier this year.

Twenty-one-year-old Alonzo Engwanda is out of contention for Utrecht, and that should see Oscar Fraulo retain his place in the starting lineup this weekend.

Sparta Rotterdam possible starting lineup:

Olij; Van der Kust, Meissen, Young, Bakari; Clement, Kitolano; Nassoh, Verschueren, Neghli; Lauritsen

FC Utrecht possible starting lineup:

Barkas; El Karouani, Viergever, Van der Hoorn, Horemans; Fraulo, Aaronson; Booth, Jensen, Cathline; Min

We say: Sparta Rotterdam 1-3 FC Utrecht

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