De Graafschap vs Utrecht Predictions

De Graafschap and Utrecht are competing at opposite ends of the Eredivisie table, but that doesn’t guarantee a win or even a draw for the visitors on Sunday. Neither side can claim to be in good form heading into the match, but with two wins, one draw, and three defeats De Graafschap are the clear form favourites. Utrecht’s struggles began before the winter break but have continued into the new year, and its now six games without a win in league and cup for Sunday’s visitors.

De Graafschap went down 4-0 away at Feyenoord last time out, but the relegation battlers know that their survival chances depend on getting results in their own backyard. De Graafschap currently sit second from bottom and four points behind Excelsior, so even a win this weekend wont take them any further up the table. Utrecht slipped down to sixth place despite holding PSV to a draw on Sunday and failing to take maximum points this weekend could see them slip out of the top seven altogether.

The recent history between De Graafschap and Utrecht, plus both teams form heading into Sunday’s game suggests that the hosts have a very good chance of picking up a point or maybe even all three. De Graafschap have won three and drawn one of their last six games against Utrecht, though those encounters do stretch back over the last nine years. The hosts have picked up two wins and a draw from their last three home games against the likes of Breda, Fortuna Sittard, and Vitesse, while Utrecht have lost their last three away against Zwolle and AZ in the league and Feyenoord in the KNVB Beker. The visitors have now gone six games without a victory in league or cup, so confidence is bound to be low. Over 2.5 goals have been scored in three of the last six meetings between the pair, and five of the hosts’ and four of the visitors’ last six games have also seen at least three goals scored, making over 2.5 goals well worth a bet.

El Jebli and Serrarens represent De Graafschap’s most likely source of goals this weekend, with each netting six in the Eredivisie so far. Gustafson and Kerk joint top score for Utrecht with five goals apiece, while teammates van de Streek and Venema have both scored four times. We’re confident that De Graafschap will take something from Sunday’s game and have backed the hosts with a double chance bet, and for the game to end with them winning 3-2. De Graafschap have form and history in their favour, and the hosts will be desperate to get points from their remaining home games as they battle relegation. Utrecht don’t look the same side that sat proudly in fourth spot in the first half of the season and are still waiting to wake up following the winter break.