FC Utrecht make the trip to Almere City on Sunday afternoon looking to strengthen their bid to finish in the top three of the Eredivisie table.
At a time when the visitors sit seven points adrift of the leaders, the home team remain bottom of the table after a four-game losing streak.
Match preview
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As long as FC Utrecht feature in the top five of the Eredivisie, it will be deemed that they are continuing to punch above their weight.
Nevertheless, with games against PSV Eindhoven and Ajax out of the way until the middle of February, there is no reason why they cannot push on for Champions League qualification.
Wednesday's 2-2 draw at Ajax stopped their more illustrious opponents in their tracks, an 80th-minute own goal earning what will feel like a bonus share of the spoils.
Having been blown away by PSV in the previous game, it was an impressive response from Ron Jans' team, who are also still three points above fourth-placed Feyenoord.
Furthermore, this is a team that is yet to lose away from home in the 2024-25 Dutch top flight, collecting 17 points from seven games and conceding just the seven goals.
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As for Almere City, they are in desperate need of a performance and positive result to match now that they sit seven points behind 15th place.
Hedwiges Maduro is fortunate to still be in a job with only six points and six goals coming from 14 league fixtures, their only success being recorded against 10th-placed NEC Nijmegen.
Since that win, though, 12 goals have been conceded during four successive defeats, albeit only losing 1-0 at NAC Breda last time out.
There have been occasions where Almere City have already conceded seven, five and four goals in home fixtures this campaign, something that will only give confidence to their opponents ahead of Sunday's encounter.
Team News
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Despite defeat last time out, Maduro may be against making notable alterations to his Almere City XI.
Kornelius Hansen is a potential replacement for Logan Delaurier-Chaubet in the final third, while Thom Haye is a possible inclusion in midfield.
Meanwhile, the quartet of Can Bozdogan, Anthony Descotte, Matisse Didden and Kevin Gadellaa are all missing for Utrecht.
Siebe Horemans, Victor Jensen and Noah Ohio are all in contention for recalls should Jans wish to include some fresh legs in his side.
Almere City possible starting lineup:
Bakker; Akujobi, Jacobs, Lawrence, Zagaritis; Van de Kamp, Nalic, Tahiri; Delaurier-Chaubet, Robinet, Kadile
FC Utrecht possible starting lineup:
Barkas; Vesterlund, Van der Hoorn, Viergever, Karouani; Iqbal, Aaronson; Rodriguez, Toornstra, Cathline; Min
We say: Almere City 1-4 FC Utrecht
Although there is potential for Almere City to cause a surprise against their high-flying opponents, it remains highly unlikely. Utrecht have not lost their scoring touch in recent games, leading us to predict a comfortable triumph over the bottom-placed outfit.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
