Prediction: FC Utrecht vs Sparta Rotterdam

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Two sides who will be looking to take a giant leap towards booking a Europa Conference League ticket, Utrecht will welcome Sparta Rotterdam to the Stadion Galgenwaard on Thursday night.

FC Utrecht

Starting with the hosts, while Utrecht might have found themselves at the heart of a wobble on either side of opening the New Year, Ron Jans’ men came roaring back in a hugely impressive fashion. Last seen mounting a sensational second-half comeback away at AZ Alkmaar as they eventually clawed back a 3-3 stalemate, the Cathedral Citizens lost just one of their final seven Eredivise appearances. However, despite gaining a reputation from across Holland’s elite for their success on home soil, the former Twente boss is calling on his squad to find some recent defensive steel. Signing off April with an action-packed 2-2 stalemate against Waalwijk, Utrecht have registered just a pair of clean sheets from any of their previous eight outings over the past couple of months.

Team News

All still dealing with respective long-term injury issues, Utrecht will once again be unable to call upon the likes of Anthony Descotte, Kevin Gadellaa and one-time Bayer Leverkusen starlet Tim Handwerker on Thursday night. Despite recently returning from a minor muscle injury, 22-year-old Marouan Azarkan will have to settle for a spot on the bench here.

Once again finding the net away at AZ Alkmaar last weekend and now notching nine goals since the start of March, Rangers loanee Sam Lammers will play a leading role at the Stadion Galgenwaard. Handed a rest on Sunday afternoon, former Denmark U21 international Victor Jensen could be handed an immediate recall.

Sparta Rotterdam

As for the visitors, while Sparta Rotterdam might have opened 2024 in the midst of a real struggle, the Castle Lords signed off the 2023/24 campaign with a real flurry. Last seen claiming what was a season-defining 2-1 victory at home against Heerenveen, Jeroen Rijsdijk’s men should find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Despite opening May with an action-packed 4-2 loss at the hands of Dutch giants PSV, they won all of their other final four Eredivise appearances. Despite being tipped as a real underdog in midweek, Sparta will be excited by a stellar record against Thursday’s hosts. Including a 1-0 victory when they travelled to the Stadion Galgenwaard on May 12th, they have now won three of their previous four showdowns against Utrecht across all competitions.

Team News

Not featuring since the start of March, Sparta Rotterdam will once again be unable to call upon 23-year-old midfielder Joshua Gaston Kitolano on Thursday night. Likewise, in what could be a major blow for midfield talisman Arno Verschueren remains a major doubt in midweek and faces a race against the clock to feature here.

Bagging the winner against Heerenveen last weekend and now registering five goals in his previous seven appearances, Tobias Lauritsen will spearhead Sparta’s charge at the Stadion Galgenwaard. Despite finding the net just once throughout 2024, Japan starlet Koki Saito will join Lauritsen in the final third.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Utrecht and Sparta Rotterdam met for their most recent showdown on May 12th, Thursday’s guests picked up a shock 1-0 victory at the Stadion Galgenwaard.
• Likewise, Sparta have won three of their previous four meetings against Utrecht across all competitions.
• Despite that 1-0 loss when they welcomed Rotterdam to town on May 12th, Utrecht have won all of their other eight matchups on home soil.
• Sparta signed off the 2023/24 campaign by collecting 12 points from their final five Eredivisie appearances.
• Utrecht have collected just a single clean sheet from any of their previous nine appearances across all competitions.

Conclusion

While Sparta Rotterdam might find themselves once again tipped as a major underdog here, they will be excited by an eye-catching record against Thursday’s hosts. Including a 1-0 victory when they travelled to the Stadion Galgenwaard on May 12th, Rijsdijk’s men have won three of their previous four showdowns against Utrecht. Two sides who are desperate to take another giant leap towards booking a Europa Conference League ticket, we are expecting what could be an enjoyable affair in midweek.

Verdict: Both teams to score 

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Olympusbet