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

With the teams separated by just one place in the Eredivisie table, FC Utrecht and Groningen lock horns at the Stadion Galgenwaard on Sunday.

The home side come into this one off the back of a defeat last time out, while the visitors are looking to pick up where they left off following a thrilling victory in their most recent involvement.

Match preview

Utrecht were beaten on home turf for only the second time this term following a 1-0 loss at the hands of title-chasing PSV Eindhoven on Sunday.

After a relatively uneventful first half, Eran Zahavi broke the deadlock eight minutes into the second period and that was enough to sink Rene Hake's men.

The Domstedelingen have slipped down to seventh place in the standings as a result but still possess a healthy seven-point lead over the chasing pack in the race for the last Conference League playoff spot.

Yet to taste defeat in any of the last nine meetings against this weekend's opponents dating back to 2019, Sunday's hosts will be confident of picking up a positive result.

Ahead of the upcoming international break, securing all three points this weekend would be a welcome boost for Utrecht as they seek to string together a solid run of results in the final knockings of the season.

Groningen came out on top in a frenetic 4-3 contest against NEC Nijmegen at the Hitachi Capital Mobility Stadion on Saturday.

Despite Michael de Leeuw and Jorgen Strand Larsen both getting on the scoresheet, Danny Buijs's men trailed 3-2 at half time before a second-half brace from Romano Postema turned the game on its head.

The Pride of the North currently occupy seventh place in the league table having gone four games without a defeat, picking up eight of a possible 12 points in that time.

Sunday's visitors take on defending champions Ajax when the Eredivisie returns after the international break, while their hosts prepare for the challenge of RKC Waalwijk.

Team News

Utrecht's Reda Akmum and Christopher Mamengi are ruled out with knee injuries and will both miss this weekend's contest as a result.

Naoki Maeda is yet to recuperate from a muscle injury, and the Japanese is joined on the sidelines by 20-year-old Arthur Zagre, who is closing in on a return to action.

Dutchman Radinio Balker remains without an appearance for Groningen this term due to a long-term injury which he picked up over a year ago.

Goalkeeper Jan Hoekstra and midfielder Daniel van Kaam will also sit the game out due to shoulder and groin injuries respectively.

Romano Postema could be rewarded with a place in the starting XI for this one courtesy of his two-goal haul off the bench last time out.

FC Utrecht possible starting lineup:

De Keijzer; Van der Kust, Van der Hoorn, St. Jago, Warmerdam; Maher, Van Overeem, Van de Streek; Timber, Balk, Douvikas

Groningen possible starting lineup:

Leeuwenburgh; Te Wierik, Kasanwirjo, Van Hintum; El Hankouri, Suslov, Duarte, Meijer; Abraham, Postema, Strand Larsen

We say: FC Utrecht 2-1 Groningen

Utrecht have a fantastic record in this fixture and will back themselves to get the better of a Groningen side who have been solid of late. We expect a tight affair here and a narrow victory for the home side at the end of the 90 minutes.