FC Utrecht Reserves vs FC Volendam Predictions

Bottom takes on 16^th at Sportpark De Westmaat on Easter Monday, as Jong Utrecht entertain Volendam. Both of these sides have endured miserable campaigns and head into match day 36 in the midst of lengthy winless runs. Jong are seeking their first success in 18 outings compared to 11 for Palingboeren, but it’s the hosts who may fancy this job a bit more after a respectable 2-2 draw at Den Bosch on Friday.

It’s fair to say that Den Bosch are a shadow of the side which topped the Eerste Divisie table earlier this season, but credit still has to go to Jong Utrecht for securing a 2-2 draw at Stadion De Vliert on Friday night.

They kept going to the very end and were rewarded for their tenacity when Mitchell van Rooijen bundled in a surprise equaliser deep into stoppage time. That could well set Jong up nicely for this Monday’s encounter with Volendam, and they will feel that they can beat their toiling opponents despite failing to win themselves since 14^th December.

With 15 defeats suffered in that 17 game winless run, Jong are clearly the worst side in the second tier however Volendam don’t rate much higher based on their results and performances since the start of February.

Palingboeren are without a victory in ten (D4, L6) and have posted just one win in their last 14 league outings – a run which has seen them slide dramatically down the standings after looking like potential Play-off contenders at the start of 2019.

Friday’s 2-3 loss at home to NEC was their fifth defeat on the spin at Kras Stadion, and it’s difficult to envisage many Volendam supports making the trip to Utrecht on Monday. Nonetheless, Hans De Koning’s charges have been comparatively solid on the road of late with just one reverse from their last eight away – and that’s enough to quash temptation for backing a home win here.

With mere pride at stake and both teams in such woeful form overall, this is a tough contest to call and it’s certainly not a fixture that warrants hefty financial interest.

Volendam triumphed 2-0 in the reverse but that’s probably not a great indicator for this return clash, and based solely on how much these sides struggle to win we think a draw is worth a small investment at decent odds, with a 1-1 scoreline predicted.