Eredivisie | Gameweek 11

Nov 3, 2024 at 1.30pm UK

Sparta-Stadion Het Kasteel

Sparta vs Utrecht

Match preview

Sparta Rotterdam secured a much-needed return to winning ways with a convincing 6-1 victory over Derde Divisie side USV Hercules in Thursday's round of 64 clash at Sportpark Maarschalkerweerd.

After falling behind to Sel Bastmeijer's opener, Jeroen Rijsdijk's men levelled through Arno Verschueren to take the game into extra time, where Aymane Bais and Charles-Andreas Brym scored twice each, either side of Ayoub Oufkir's strike, to seal the result.

Earlier in the day, De Rood-Witte Gladiators suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Heerenveen, and since beating RKC Waalwijk on 21 September have taken just two points from their last 12 league games.

Unsurprisingly, Sparta's poor run of form has seen them drop to 11th in the Eredivisie table, three points off the top half and the same number of relegation places after the first 10 rounds.

This weekend is a chance to get back on track, but the home side do not have fond memories of their recent encounters with the visitors, having taken just two wins from the last 22 meetings.

Sparta's home record this season is also a cause for concern for Sunday's hosts, who are yet to take all three points from a league game in front of their home fans in five attempts, although they have only lost once in that time.

FC Utrecht overcame the challenge of lowly Lisse to secure their place in the next round of the KNVB Beker with a 2-1 win at Sportpark Ter Specke on Thursday.

Goals in each half from Can Bozdogan and Miguel Rodriguez secured a routine triumph for Ron Jans' men, although Enoch George's stoppage-time consolation set up a frenetic final few minutes.

It was the perfect response to De Domstedelingen's 2-0 defeat at Feyenoord on Sunday, which ended a six-game winning streak dating back to a 2-1 victory over NAC Breda on 24 August.

With the likes of Feyenoord, FC Twente and AZ Alkmaar still struggling to find their feet this term, Utrecht have emerged as PSV's closest challengers so far, alongside Ajax, as they sit eight points adrift of the defending champions despite having played a game less.

In the first of three very winnable games for Sunday's visitors this month, Utrecht will be looking to pick up maximum points before welcoming Heracles to the Stadion Galgenwaard in their final game before the international break.

Recent Performance

Sparta Rotterdam Eredivisie form:LWDLDL

FC Utrecht Eredivisie form:WWWWWL

Team News

Teo Quintero continues to struggle with a meniscus injury, and the Venezuelan defender will miss Sparta Rotterdam's fifth consecutive match.

Jonathan de Guzman is also sidelined with a muscle problem, but Tobias Lauritsen and Mike Eerdhuijzen have returned from concussion and suspension respectively.

Long-term absentee Kevin Gadellaa is still some way off returning to action after suffering a knee injury against Roda earlier this year.

Twenty-one-year-old Alonzo Engwanda has been ruled out for Utrecht, meaning Oscar Fraulo should retain his place in the starting line-up this weekend.

Possible starting lineups

Sparta Rotterdam possible starting lineup:

Olij; Van der Kust, Meissen, Young, Bakari; Clement, Kitolano; Nassoh, Verschueren, Neghli; Lauritsen

FC Utrecht possible starting lineup:

Barkas; El Karouani, Viergever, Van der Hoorn, Horemans; Fraulo, Aaronson; Booth, Jensen, Cathline; Min