Sparta Rotterdam and FC Utrecht will meet for the second time in the space of a few days when they contest the second leg of their European competition playoff semi-final on Sunday.
The home side take a 2-1 advantage into this fixture after prevailing in the opening match, with a showdown with Heerenveen or FC Twente awaiting the winner.
Match preview
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During the latter stages of the regular Eredivisie campaign, these two teams would have been relatively content with their respective form.
Utrecht had won four of their final six fixtures, only losing to Feyenoord and Ajax, while Sparta emerged victorious from their final two matches and scored nine times in the process.
Ultimately, it was the latter statistic that proved decisive on Thursday evening, Sparta netting twice in the first half at Stadion Galgenwaard to give themselves the advantage.
A penalty from Vito van Crooij put Sparta into the lead in the 29th minute before Tobias Lauritsen doubled their advantage 10 minutes later.
To Utrecht's credit, they did what was necessary after the break to stay relevant in the tie, Anastasios Douvikas halving the deficit 20 minutes from time.
Nevertheless, Sparta were able to hold on to make it three triumphs on the bounce, backing up their possession of the fifth-best away record during the regular campaign.
However, Sparta do not have fond memories of the corresponding home encounter in February, going down by a 3-0 scoreline with Utrecht netting each of their goals in the final 16 minutes.
Utrecht had an interesting away record to say the least in 2022-23, scoring and conceding 35 goals apiece in their 17 games but still accumulating 25 points.
Although Sparta only lost five of their 17 Eredivisie fixtures at Het Kasteel, three of those losses came in their final six games, highlighting that this tie feels very much in the balance.
Team News
With Mike van der Hoorn having completed a one-match ban, he is expected to return to the Utrecht defence in place of Ruben Kluivert.
At this stage of the tie, and barring any further injury issues, Michael Silberbauer may opt against making any further alterations.
Meanwhile, Jonathan de Guzman's early withdrawal for Sparta on Thursday could see Younes Namli drafted into central midfield.
Dirk Abels, who was introduced as a half-time replacement for Shurandy Sambo, may also be preferred for the reverse fixture.
Keen to retain some continuity from the first leg, Maurice Steijn may decide against any further changes.
Sparta Rotterdam possible starting lineup:
Olij; Abels, Vriends, Eerdhuijzen, Pinto; Verschueren, Namli, Kitolano; Van Crooij, Lauritsen, Saito
FC Utrecht possible starting lineup:
Barkas; Klaiber, Van der Hoorn, Viergever, Van der Maarel; Bozdogan, Toornstra; Ramselaar, Van de Streek, Boussaid; Douvikas
We say: Sparta Rotterdam 1-1 FC Utrecht (Sparta Rotterdam to win 3-2 on aggregate)
Utrecht have bounced back on numerous occasions in recent weeks to head into this fixture with enough confidence to do so again. However, with Sparta having a lead to defend, their task is made tougher, and we feel that the home side will show the know-how to avoid defeat.
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