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Utrechtvs.FC Twente

sportsmole.co.uk, 30 August 2024, 22:24
Two of last season's top-seven sides face off in round four of the Eredivisie as FC Utrecht entertain the challenge of FC Twente at Stadion Galgenwaard on Sunday. The home side will be seeking to pick up where they left off and claim back-to-back victories, while the away side go in search of a return to winning ways after having to make do with a point last time out.
Match preview

Utrecht looked set to suffer one of the biggest upsets of the season so far, but a remarkable comeback saw them emerge 2-1 winners over newcomers NAC Breda at the Rat Verlegh Stadion on Saturday.

Buoyed by their 2-1 win over Ajax, Breda took a first-half lead and were on course to secure all three points before Noah Ohio netted twice late on to see Ron Jans's men become just the third side in Eredivisie history to win a game despite trailing heading into second-half stoppage time.

As a result, De Domstedelingen are now up to seven points from a possible nine this term, with two wins recorded from the first three rounds of matches, either side of a 1-1 draw against Heerenveen.

Utrecht's fine start to the season certainly bodes well for their continental aspirations after they came within touching distance of a place in the Conference League playoffs last time out.

With games against Ajax and AZ Alkmaar on the horizon after this weekend's clash against Twente, Sunday's hosts are set to have their European credentials tested over the next couple of weeks, and they will need to be up to the task.

Like Utrecht, Twente were also involved in some late drama in their last league involvement, where they surrendered a lead against Sparta Rotterdam at De Grolsch Veste on August 17.

Having gotten their noses in front through a Sem Steijn penalty, Joseph Oosting's men were within minutes of a second win in as many matches before Tobias Lauritsen restored parity in stoppage time.

Lauritisen's leveller not only saw Twente drop two points, but they still await their first clean sheet of the campaign after four matches and have now been breached in nine straight competitive matches dating back to April.

A tally of four points on the board so far has left Twente currently eighth in the Eredivisie table, although the Enschede-based outfit do have a game in hand after their round-three clash against Heerenveen was postponed.

The Tukkers will now set out to end a three-game winless run against this weekend's opponents, who managed four points from a possible six across both of last season's meetings.

FC Utrecht Eredivisie form:

FC Twente Eredivisie form:

FC Twente form (all competitions):

Team News

Kevin Gadellaa and Niklas Vesterlund are both guaranteed absentees for Utrecht this weekend as they remain sidelined with knee injuries.

Noah Ohio's double off the bench has certainly earned him some traction over the last few days, but he is expected to be named as a substitute once again.

Latest summer arrival Kolbeinn Finnsson could be handed his debut for the away side, having recently joined from Danish Superliga outfit Lyngby.

Twente's Michal Sadilek has not featured since June due to a shin injury, and the Czech Republic international is still a considerable way off returning to action.

Twenty-two-year-old Sem Steijn has found the back of the net in consecutive games for the away side, making him one to keep an eye on here.

FC Utrecht possible starting lineup:

Barkas; El Karouani, Viergever, Van der Hoorn, Horemans; Iqbal, Engwanda; Aaronson, Toornstra, Romeny; Min

FC Twente possible starting lineup:

Unnerstall; Salah-Eddine, Hilgers, Bruns, Kuipers; Eiting, Vlap; Van Bergen, Steijn, Ltaief; Lammers

We say: FC Utrecht 1-0 FC Twente

Only one of the last four editions of this fixture has ended with both teams scoring and another low-scoring affair could be on the cards here.

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