In search of their first win of the new Eredivisie campaign, FC Utrecht and Cambuur go head-to-head at the Stadion Galgenwaard on Saturday.
The hosts had to settle for a share of the spoils in their season-opener last time out, while the away side suffered a disappointing defeat.
Match preview
Utrecht kicked off their league campaign with a thrilling 2-2 stalemate against RKC Waalwijk at the Mandemaker Stadion on Saturday evening.
Henk Fraser's men found themselves two down at the interval thanks to strikes from Dario Van den Buijs and Iliass Bel Hassani before a second-half brace from Bas Dost restored parity.
The Domstedelingen currently sit ninth in the Eredivisie and will seek to move up the standings with all three points in their next outing.
Standing in their way is an opposing outfit who have come out on top in just two of the most recent seven meetings between the teams across all competitions.
Off the back of an emphatic 3-1 victory over Vitesse in their last home league outing of last season, Saturday's hosts set out to put on another impressive display in front of their fans.
Cambuur did not get off to the best of starts following a 1-0 defeat against newly-promoted Excelsior at the Cambuur Stadion on Saturday.
Henk de Jong's men paid the price for a lethargic display in the first-half where they conceded goals to Marouan Azarkan and Julian Baas.
One of six teams to have suffered an opening-day loss, the Yellow-Blues are in 15th place as it stands, but there is no cause for alarm just yet.
Having won just one of their 11 games on the road since the turn of the year, Saturday's visitors will be looking to turn their fortunes around away from home.
- D
- L
- L
- W
- L
- D
- D
- L
- D
- L
- W
- L
- D
- L
Team News
Utrecht's trio of Tommy St Jago, Bart Ramselaar and Reda Akmum are all sidelined with knee injuries and will not be available to feature.
Mike van der Hoorn was hauled off just past the hour mark in the hosts' last outing, making the defender a huge doubt for this weekend.
Ramon Hendriks continues to face an extended spell on the treatment table due to a cruciate ligament rupture, while Sander van de Streek also misses out through a knock.
Cambuur are set to be without the services of Maxim Gullit, who has not played since picking up a knee injury in February.
Silvester van der Water is also not expected to play any part for the visitors in this one as the Dutchman continues to nurse a long-term leg injury.
FC Utrecht possible starting lineup:
Barkas; Van der Kust, Sagnan, Viergever, Van der Maarel, Ter Avest; Booth, Boussaid, Brouwers; Redan, Douvikas
Cambuur possible starting lineup:
Virginia; Schmidt, Tol, Smand, Bangura; Jacobs, Hoedemakers, Maulun; Smit, Uldrikis, Paulissen
We say: FC Utrecht 2-1 Cambuur
Utrecht have some ground to make up following those dropped points last time out, and they will be keen to emerge victorious on their own turf this time around. While we expect Cambuur to give them a run for their money, we are backing the home side to carry the day.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Adepoju Marvellous
