Round 25 of the 2023-24 Eredivisie campaign sees Almere City entertain the challenge of FC Utrecht at the Yanmar Stadion on Saturday evening.
Neither team managed to secure all three points from their most recent outings, and they will both be seeking to return to winning ways this weekend.
Match preview
Almere City had to make do with a point last time out following a disappointing 2-2 draw against Heracles Almelo at the Erve Asito on Sunday.
Alex Pastoor's men raced to a two-goal lead thanks to strikes from Yoann Cathline and Thomas Robinet before Jizz Hornkamp and Ajdin Hrustic levelled matters in the first 20 minutes of the second half.
Consequently, De Zwarte Schapen have dropped down to 12th place in the Eredivisie table, three points shy of a top-half spot heading into the final stages of the season.
Awaiting them next is the task of facing off against an opposing outfit with little to pick between the sides over the previous two meetings which have yielded one win apiece.
Having failed to score in three of their last four home matches, Saturday's hosts will need to get going at the top end of the pitch to avoid another fruitless outing in front of their fans.
Utrecht were beaten for the first time since the turn of the year in a 2-0 defeat to Ajax at the Johan Cruyff ArenA on Sunday afternoon.
Ron Jans's men trailed to Brian Brobbey's opener six minutes shy of half time before Kenneth Taylor put the result beyond doubt 13 minutes from time.
With 32 points picked up from 24 matches so far, De Domstedelingen sit eighth in the standings, one point clear of the chasing pack in the race for the final European place.
Currently with the third-fewest goals scored on the road so far, Saturday's visitors have work to do at the top end of the pitch if they are to record a rare away win this weekend.
Team News
Thomas Robinet received his marching orders in Almere's stalemate against Heracles and is ineligible to play any part in this weekend's contest.
This could see Adi Nalic come into the hosts' XI for what would be a first starting appearance since joining from Hammarby in the January window.
Anthony Descotte remains unavailable for Utrecht through a damaged ankle, while forward Ole ter Haar Romeny continues to battle with a finger injury.
Taylor Booth and Kevin Gadellaa are both ruled out for the away side through respective knee injuries, but the latter is making steady progress with regard to his recovery.
Almere City possible starting lineup:
Bakker; Cathline, Barbet, Van Bruggen, Jacobs, Floranus; Pena, Koopmeiners, Resink; Hansen, Nalic
FC Utrecht possible starting lineup:
Branderhorst; El Karouani, Viergever, Van der Hoorn, Ter Avest; Fraulo, Flamingo; Boussaid, Toornstra, Azarkan; Lammers
We say: Almere City 0-1 FC Utrecht
With two of the Eredivisie's lowest-scoring teams going head-to-head, we are anticipating a nervy and cagey affair. That said, we are also backing the visitors to narrowly come out on top in the end.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
