MX23RW : Wednesday, December 18 07:55:05| >> :600:348155:348155:
[monks data]
Sparta Rotterdam logo
Eredivisie | 2nd Leg
Jun 4, 2023 at 5pm UK
Sparta-Stadion Het Kasteel
FC Utrecht

Sparta
0 - 1
Utrecht


van Crooij (90+1')
FT
(aet)
Viergever (80')
van der Maarel (59'), Bozdogan (90+6')
Sparta win 0-0 on penalties

Preview: Sparta Rotterdam vs. FC Utrecht - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Eredivisie clash between Sparta Rotterdam and FC Utrecht, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Sparta Rotterdam and FC Utrecht will meet for the second time in the space of a few days when they contest the second leg of their European competition playoff semi-final on Sunday.

The home side take a 2-1 advantage into this fixture after prevailing in the opening match, with a showdown with Heerenveen or FC Twente awaiting the winner.


Match preview

Michael Silberbauer, now in charge of FC Utrecht, pictured in June 2019© Reuters

During the latter stages of the regular Eredivisie campaign, these two teams would have been relatively content with their respective form.

Utrecht had won four of their final six fixtures, only losing to Feyenoord and Ajax, while Sparta emerged victorious from their final two matches and scored nine times in the process.

Ultimately, it was the latter statistic that proved decisive on Thursday evening, Sparta netting twice in the first half at Stadion Galgenwaard to give themselves the advantage.

A penalty from Vito van Crooij put Sparta into the lead in the 29th minute before Tobias Lauritsen doubled their advantage 10 minutes later.

To Utrecht's credit, they did what was necessary after the break to stay relevant in the tie, Anastasios Douvikas halving the deficit 20 minutes from time.

Nevertheless, Sparta were able to hold on to make it three triumphs on the bounce, backing up their possession of the fifth-best away record during the regular campaign.

However, Sparta do not have fond memories of the corresponding home encounter in February, going down by a 3-0 scoreline with Utrecht netting each of their goals in the final 16 minutes.

Utrecht had an interesting away record to say the least in 2022-23, scoring and conceding 35 goals apiece in their 17 games but still accumulating 25 points.

Although Sparta only lost five of their 17 Eredivisie fixtures at Het Kasteel, three of those losses came in their final six games, highlighting that this tie feels very much in the balance.

Sparta Rotterdam Eredivisie form:

FC Utrecht Eredivisie form:


Team News

With Mike van der Hoorn having completed a one-match ban, he is expected to return to the Utrecht defence in place of Ruben Kluivert.

At this stage of the tie, and barring any further injury issues, Michael Silberbauer may opt against making any further alterations.

Meanwhile, Jonathan de Guzman's early withdrawal for Sparta on Thursday could see Younes Namli drafted into central midfield.

Dirk Abels, who was introduced as a half-time replacement for Shurandy Sambo, may also be preferred for the reverse fixture.

Keen to retain some continuity from the first leg, Maurice Steijn may decide against any further changes.


Sparta Rotterdam possible starting lineup:
Olij; Abels, Vriends, Eerdhuijzen, Pinto; Verschueren, Namli, Kitolano; Van Crooij, Lauritsen, Saito

FC Utrecht possible starting lineup:
Barkas; Klaiber, Van der Hoorn, Viergever, Van der Maarel; Bozdogan, Toornstra; Ramselaar, Van de Streek, Boussaid; Douvikas


SM words green background

We say: Sparta Rotterdam 1-1 FC Utrecht (Sparta Rotterdam to win 3-2 on aggregate)

Utrecht have bounced back on numerous occasions in recent weeks to head into this fixture with enough confidence to do so again. However, with Sparta having a lead to defend, their task is made tougher, and we feel that the home side will show the know-how to avoid defeat.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data


ID:515375:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect9145:
Written by
Darren Plant

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Data Pass: [t, eredivisie, odds, 3544290]

How you voted: Sparta vs Utrecht

Sparta Rotterdam
47.6%
Draw
28.6%
FC Utrecht
23.8%
21
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Feyenoord coach Arne Slot on April 20, 2023
Read Next:
Eredivisie final day predictions including Feyenoord vs. Vitesse
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1PSV EindhovenPSV16140256134342
2Ajax16113235161936
3FC UtrechtUtrecht1611323223936
4Feyenoord16105140182235
5FC Twente1694332201231
6AZ AlkmaarAZ1692530171329
7Go Ahead Eagles166462826222
8Fortuna SittardSittard166462023-322
9NAC BredaNAC Breda167181825-722
10Heerenveen166371728-1121
11Willem II165471718-119
12NECNijmegen165292220217
13PEC Zwolle164481525-1016
14Groningen164481426-1216
15Heracles163581833-1514
16Sparta RotterdamSparta162681424-1012
17RKC WaalwijkRKC Waalwijk1613121740-236
18Almere CityAlmere City161312737-306


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!