Looking to enhance their respective continental aspirations, FC Utrecht and AZ Alkmaar will go head-to-head on Saturday evening in round 19 of the 2024-25 Eredivisie campaign.
In a fixture that has seen both sides find the back of the net in eight straight editions, another entertaining affair is on the cards at Stadion Galgenwaard this weekend.
Match preview
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Recovering from their Conference League qualifying defeat against Go Ahead Eagles, Utrecht have enjoyed a largely successful campaign to date as they currently sit third in the Eredivisie table, three points shy of Ajax and a further four adrift of leaders PSV Eindhoven.
Ron Jans's men are also through to the last eight of the KNVB Beker after a 2-1 triumph against RKC Waalwijk at the Mandemakers Stadion on Wednesday thanks to Sebastian Haller's double on his full debut.
Having previously excelled with Ajax, Haller will be looking to make a similar impact on his return to Dutch football with his current employers, who he recently joined on a six-month deal until the end of the season.
Now unbeaten in six of their last seven games across all competitions, Utrecht will head into their next outing targeting a third straight victory and a rare league double over AZ off the back of a 2-1 win in September's reverse meeting.
Despite their recent form, Saturday's hosts have been underwhelming in front of their fans of late, winning just one of their last five home matches leading up to this weekend's affair.
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After kicking off their season with six wins from their opening seven matches, AZ Alkmaar went on to lose six of their next seven matches and were in danger of falling off the pace following a fast start for the second season running.
However, Maarten Martens's men have since recovered tremendously with eight victories and three draws from their subsequent 12 outings across all competitions either side of a 2-1 defeat to Willem II.
Like Utrecht, AZ Alkmaar also secured safe passage into the quarter-final of the Dutch Cup by beating Ajax 2-0 at the AFAS Stadion on Tuesday and remain in contention for a first KNVB Beker title in just over a decade.
Currently sixth in the league standings, De Kaasboeren are unlikely to mount any significant title charge, although securing Champions League or Europa League football remains a possibility, however difficult.
Having begun January with crunch clashes against PSV Eindhoven and Ajax, Saturday's visitors are set for another run of difficult assignments with a home European tie against Roma to follow this weekend's trip.
Team News
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Noah Ohio will miss a fifth consecutive game for Utrecht due to a foot injury, but Nick Viergever is eligible to return to league action after missing the game against Feyenoord through suspension.
Sebastien Haller was on fire in his first start for the home side, and the 30-year-old hitman should fend off competition from David Min to lead the line once again.
Sem Westerveld is the last member of AZ's once lengthy injury list as the Dutchman continues his spell on the sidelines with a long-term knee problem.
Forward Mexx Meerdink could be rewarded with a starting berth for the visitors having got himself on the scoresheet in back-to-back games off the bench.
Kristijan Belic was fit enough to be named among the substitutes against Ajax, although this weekend's game could come too soon for the Serbian international.
FC Utrecht possible starting lineup:
Barkas; Vesterlund, Van der Hoorn, Viergever, El Karouani; Iqbal, Engwanda; Rodriguez, Jensen, Cathline; Min
AZ Alkmaar possible starting lineup:
Owusu-Oduro; Maikuma, Goes, Penetra, Wolfe; Koopmeiners, Clasie; Poku, Mijnans, Addai; Parrott
We say: FC Utrecht 2-1 AZ Alkmaar
Goals have been a constant theme of this fixture, and we expect Saturday's meeting to be no different.
That said, we just about fancy the home side to get the better of their visitors and emerge victorious in the end.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adepoju Marvellous
