Two teams currently undergoing a rough patch will be looking to turn their fortunes around as FC Utrecht welcome Go Ahead Eagles to Stadion Galgenwaard on Saturday.

The home side have won just one of their last six matches, while the visitors head into this weekend's clash on a run of one victory in five outings.

Match preview

Utrecht snapped a two-game losing streak across all competitions with a thrilling 2-2 stalemate against NEC at Stadion de Goffert on Sunday.

Michael Silberbauer's men found themselves two goals down thanks to a double from Landry Dimata before quickfire strikes from Bas Dost and Othman Boussaid restored parity.

As a result, the Domstedelingen remain seventh in the Eredivisie table, six points ahead of RKC Waalwijk and firmly in the driving seat to secure the last continental place.

Awaiting them next is the challenge of an opposing outfit with just one victory in the most recent 10 editions of this fixture dating back to 2015.

Off the back of consecutive defeats on their own turf leading up to Saturday's contest, the hosts will be eager to get back to winning ways in front of their fans.

Go Ahead Eagles were on the receiving end of a comprehensive 4-1 loss against SC Cambuur when the teams faced off at the Cambuur Stadion two Sundays ago.

Rene Hake's men fell behind to Michael Breij's opener but managed to restore parity through Mats Deijl, after which strikes from Mimoun Mahi, Bjorn Johnsen and Navarone Foor decided the game.

Having picked up 26 points from 24 league matches this term, the pride of the IJssel Kowet are 12th in the league standings, five points adrift of the top half with a game in hand.

Aiming to record what would be only a first win in seven away involvements since mid-January, Saturday's visitors have work to do at both ends of the pitch to stand any chance of securing a positive outcome.

Team News

Calvin Raatsie remains sidelined for Utrecht with an ankle problem, while fellow Dutchman Nick Viergever continues his battle with a muscle injury.

Can Bozdogan and Django Warmerdam are also unavailable for the home side through knee injuries, but the latter is drawing increasingly closer to making a comeback.

Bas Dost will be pushing for a place in the starting XI here after the forward found the back of the net on his return to action from a fairly lengthy injury spell.

Go Ahead Eagles' Bas Kuipers has played only once since the turn of the year due to an elbow injury which is set to keep him out of Saturday's affair.

The visitors will also have to cope with the absence of Iceland international Willum Thor Willumsson, who is struggling with a niggling knock.

FC Utrecht possible starting lineup:
Barkas; Hendriks, Sagnan, Van der Hoorn, Klaiber; Van de Streek, Toornstra, Labyad; Douvikas, Boussaid, Dost

Go Ahead Eagles possible starting lineup:
De Lange; Fontan, Nauber, Amofa, Deijl; Linthorst, Rommens, Idzes, Fernandes; Stokkers, Lidberg

We say: FC Utrecht 2-1 Go Ahead Eagles

Both teams have endured defensive frailties of late, and we can expect neither of them to come away from this one without being breached. That said, Utrecht boast more quality in key areas, and we are tipping them to get the job done come the end of the 90 minutes.


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