Utrecht vs Sparta Rotterdam Predictions

• Utrecht have won five of their last seven games
• Five of Sparta Rotterdam’s last six games have gone over 2.5 goals
• Utrecht have won 13 of the last 14 head-to-heads between these two

Goals fancied in first leg

Sparta Rotterdam Utrecht are set to do battle in the first leg of this Europa League playoff after finishing sixth and seventh in the Eredivisie respectively. The pair have been involved in a number of high-scoring affairs recently, with Sparta’s last six games seeing 24 goals scored and Utrecht having four of their last five matches go over 2.5 goals.

Meetings between these two tend to be high-scoring affairs also, with the last four seeing at least three goals. Utrecht have the second-worst defensive record in the top half of the table so a high-scoring affair between these two looks likely.

Head-to-head record gives host nod

While Sparta finished higher in the table, Utrecht come into this clash in better form and have an outstanding head-to-head record against their opponents, winning 13 of the last 14 matches that the two have played.

That advantage could play a significant psychological role in this matchup and their two meetings this season were comfortable wins for Utrecht, 3-0 and 3-1 respectively. This clash may be a touch closer but a 2-1 home win is the correct score pick as the hosts look to continue their dominance over these opponents.

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