Sparta Rotterdam travel to the Stadion Galgenwaard to take on FC Utrecht in the Eredivisie on Sunday, with the away side looking for a fourth win on the bounce.
The home side are in opposite form, aiming to avoid three defeats in a row in the league.
Match preview
Utrecht are probably about where they expected to be in the league standings, sitting in ninth place, two points shy of the playoff positions.
Domstedelingen endured a shaky start to the season, only acquiring two points from their opening four games, losing 3-2 in particularly disappointing style at Emmen after twice throwing away a lead.
This was put right with 10 points in the following four fixtures, winning a 4-3 thriller against Fortuna Sittard and grinding out 1-0 wins against Vitesse and Excelsior.
However, since then it has been a return to their old ways, losing in admittedly tough fixtures against AZ Alkmaar and PSV to slip back down the league standings.
A loss away in Eindhoven may have been expected, but the manner of it will disappoint manager Henk Fraser, losing 6-1 at the Philips Stadion following a late brace from Anwar El-Ghazi.
As such, the Utrecht manager will be hoping for a response from his side in what is a winnable game against Sparta Rotterdam, with only three places separating the teams in the league standings.
Indeed, Sparta have enjoyed a much-improved Eredivisie campaign so far, up to sixth after finishing in 14th in the 2021-22 season.
De Kasteelheren have only lost one of their last seven league games, although it will have been a particularly tough one to take, with the defeat coming at city-rivals Feyenoord in a 3-0 drubbing.
Maurice Steijn's side have shown no signs of slowing down in the games since, however, winning three and drawing one to ensure that they now sit comfortably in the playoff places.
Last time out, Sparta became the first side to beat NEC in nine games, comprehensive 2-0 winners after first-half goals from Dirk Abels and Jonathan de Guzman.
Having not won away in the league since a 1-0 victory at Go Ahead Eagles in August, Sunday's game will represent a difficult challenge for Steijn's side, particularly given the fact that they are winless in their last 15 attempts against Utrecht, an incredible run stretching back to 2008.
Team News
Bas Dost has been in fine form for Utrecht so far this season, notching five goals and an assist in 10 league appearances, and the striker is set to lead the line again for his side.
Sander van de Streek has also been impressive, scoring in two of Domstedelingen's last three league games from an attacking-midfield role, where he is poised to start on Sunday.
Centre-back Mark van der Maarel has been the first choice in his side's last eight games, where he will be accompanied by summer signing Modibo Sagnan, with the pair forming a consistent partnership recently.
For Sparta, Younes Namli has missed the last two matches with a knee injury, and the midfielder remains a doubt for this weekend's clash.
Vito van Crooij was only deemed well enough to feature from the bench in the last two matches after suffering with an illness, but the man who has racked up an impressive five goals and three assists so far this season should be back in contention to start in the trip to Utrecht.
FC Utrecht possible starting lineup:
Barkas; Van Der Kust, Sagnan, Van Der Maarel, Klaiber; Toornstra, Bozdogan, Booth, Van De Streek, Sylla; Dost
Sparta Rotterdam possible starting lineup:
Olij; Abels, Vriends, Auassar, Pinto; Kitolano, De Guzman, Mijnans, Van Crooij, Saito; Lauritsen
We say: FC Utrecht 1-1 Sparta Rotterdam
Sparta Rotterdam have been in fantastic form recently, but they are coming up against what is very much their bogey side in FC Utrecht, having failed to beat them in their last 15 attempts. As such, we expect this one to be a closely-contested draw.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Dominic Lund
