Eredivisie | Gameweek 17

Dec 22, 2024 at 1.30pm UK

Stadion Galgenwaard

Utrechtvs.Sittard

Match preview

FC Utrecht's 8-0 thrashing of Amsterdamsche Football Club in the KNVB Beker on Wednesday was a statement of intent, but the focus is now firmly on the league.

After 16 games, Ron Jans' side have managed to stay in the top three, with their only two defeats coming at the hands of Feyenoord and PSV Eindhoven.

Although they are only five points adrift of fifth place, Utrecht's focus will be on staying within six points of leaders PSV.

The Cathedral Citizens are currently on a three-match unbeaten run in the league, taking seven points from games against Ajax, Almere City and Go Ahead Eagles.

Feyenoord and AZ Alkmaar follow in the post-Christmas fixtures, so the stakes are high for Utrecht to take another three points against their next opponents.

Fortuna Sittard are still smarting from a 3-1 KNVB Beker defeat at lowly Quick Boys, which ended the momentum they had built up in the league.

To their credit, however, they have suffered just two defeats in 10 Eredivisie encounters, one of which came at the hands of fifth-placed Twente.

Most recently, they drew away at Feyenoord and Heracles before coming from behind to win 3-2 at 17th-placed RKC Waalwijk, who threatened a comeback from 3-0 down.

Despite the fact that Utrecht conceded 15 goals in their eight home league games in 2024-25, Danny Buijs' side have won just one and scored just seven times in the same number of away games.

Recent Performance

FC Utrecht Eredivisie form:WWLDWD

FC Utrecht form (all competitions):WLDWDW

Fortuna Sittard Eredivisie form:WLLDDW

Fortuna Sittard form (all competitions):LLDDWL

Team News

Although 19-year-old Englishman Adrian Blake has scored three times in his last two substitute appearances for FC Utrecht in all competitions, he is unlikely to start this game.

Given that Utrecht were able to make changes and rest players in the second half against AFC, it is plausible that the Utrecht XI from their last league game will remain similar.

However, with Paxten Aaronson serving a ban for five yellow cards, Can Bozdogan could return to the midfield.

With Buijs having tinkered with his starting line-up for the KNVB Beker game, Sunday's selection could be closer to the team that started strongly against RKC.

Alessio da Cruz scored in both games, making it three goals in a row in all competitions for the striker.

Possible starting lineup

FC Utrecht possible starting lineup:

Barkas; Vesterlund, Van der Hoorn, Viergever, Karouani; Iqbal, Bozdogan; Rodriguez, Toornstra, Cathline; Min

Fortuna Sittard possible starting lineup:

Branderhorst; Mitrovic, Ottele, Guth, Dijks; Bastien, Rosier; Halilovic, Bullaude, Peterson; Cruz