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

Sparta Rotterdam will be looking to pick up their first point on the table when they take on FC Utrecht in the Eredivisie on Sunday (17 August) at Sparta Stadion Het Kasteel.

The visitors are buzzing in confidence after they made history by qualifying for the Europa League playoffs, thanks to a 2-1 victory over Swiss side Servette FC at the Galgenwaard Stadium on Thursday evening.

Match preview

Sparta finished 12th in the Eredivisie last season, and they have made a terrible start to the 2025-26 campaign, suffering a brutal 6-1 defeat at the hands of reigning champions, PSV Eindhoven.

De Kasteelheren conceded an early goal inside the third minute, and from then on, it became a one-sided domination, with PSV adding three more goals before the hour mark.

Sayfallah Ltaief scored in the 63rd minute to pull one back for the home side, but the Dutch champions netted two more goals to put the game beyond any doubt.

Sparta bolstered their squad with experience and depth in the summer, with as many as nine players arriving at the club. Maurice Steijn will need time to find the right balance, but they will surely be looking to avoid another big defeat on Sunday.

The Red-White Gladiators do not boast a strong record against Utrecht, having beaten them once in their last five meetings. Last season, they lost 4-1 at home, but managed a 1-1 draw away at the Galgenwaard in the Dutch league.

Utrecht are in red-hot form at the moment, having won five games in a row, and Ron Jans has suggested that his side are not done yet.

The Cupfighters started their European campaign against FK Sheriff Tiraspol and comfortably defeated them with a 7-2 margin across two legs.

They swept aside Swiss side Servette with a 5-2 aggregate win to book their place in the Europa League playoff, which is a remarkable achievement.

Domstedelingen finished fourth in the Eredivisie in 2024-25 with 64 points, and they have started the new campaign on a positive note, winning 4-0 against Heracles Almelo in their opening league game.

Gjivai Zechiel opened the scoring for the home side in the 33rd minute, and three goals in the second half from David Min, Victor Jensen, and Dani de Wit secured all three points.

Sparta Rotterdam Eredivisie form:

FC Utrecht Eredivisie form:

FC Utrecht form (all competitions):

W W W W W

Team News

Sparta are currently dealing with a growing injury problem ahead of this game. Midfielder Jonathan de Guzman has still not recovered yet and may return towards the end of the month.

Exciting young talent Mike Kleijn is doubtful for this game, and no timeline has been given as to when he can return.

Tobias Lauritsen missed the last game with a hand injury, and he could be out for the league clash on Sunday as well. Lance Duijvestijn is also not expected to return before the end of the month.

Min picked up an injury against Heracles and was replaced by Noah Ohio against Servette. Miguel Rodriguez started in place of Yoann Cathline in the previous game, and the 22-year-old Spaniard could retain his place in the side.

Midfielder Zidane Iqbal is currently out injured, and he is unlikely to return before the end of the month.

Jans could be without the midfield duo of Ivar Jenner and Rafik El Arguioui, both are currently out injured, and it is not clear when they would return.

Sparta Rotterdam possible starting lineup:

Drommel; Bakari, Martins Indi, Van Aanholt, Young; Kitolano, Clement; Ltaief, Toornstra; Lauritsen, Mito

FC Utrecht possible starting lineup:

Barkas; Horemans, Van der Hoorn, Viergever, El Karouani; Engwanda, Zekiel, Jensen; John Murkin, Ohio, Rodriguez

We say: Sparta Rotterdam 1-3 FC Utrecht

Sparta will be looking for a strong response, especially at home, but they are up against a side who are riding high on momentum. Utrecht have a strong record against their opponent on Sunday, and they should be able to secure another comfortable win.

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