FC Utrecht Reserves vs Sparta Rotterdam Predictions

We forecasted plenty of goals in last week’s game between Jong Ajax and Jong Utrecht, and the teams certainly didn’t let us down as the contest finished 3-3 at Sportpark De Toekomst. Jong Utrecht surpassed expectations to claim a draw in Amsterdam after losing their previous 11 Eerste Divisie fixtures, but any relief garnered from that result will surely be cut short here on match day 31 as Robin Pronk’s charges entertain 2^nd placed Sparta Rotterdam at Sportpark De Westmaat.

It was a fine effort from Jong Utrecht last time out and their point against Jong Ajax was much deserved after fighting back from 2-0 down early on.

Their losing streak had to come to an end at some point and they will feel delighted to have matched their more illustrious reserve counterparts once more having already defeated the defending Eerste Divisie champions 4-3 in November’s reverse fixture.

But that was ultimately just one of three victories attained by Jong Utrecht this term and it generally seems as though they can only roust themselves to play at a half decent level when facing the other reserve teams in the second tier.

They have earned eight of their meagre 15 point tally against Jong Ajax, Jong PSV and Jong AZ, so it would be folly to assume that Utrecht will back up their performance this week when Sparta Rotterdam come to town.

But even if they do it’s unlikely to be good enough as Sparta are really beginning to hit the ground running again.

Henk Fraser’s side have won five and drawn one of their last six league matches and they are now four points clear from the rest in 2^nd after beating NEC 1-0 at Het Kasteel on match day 30 thanks to another goal from the on song Ragnar Ache.

It was a more workmanlike performance from Sparta and not akin to the free scoring football they have been playing in recent weeks; however it was a decent result considering NEC travelled to Rotterdam unbeaten in their last nine outings.

With 43 points separating these teams in the league table, it doesn’t take a genius to see that Sparta are justifiably odds-on favourites for this Friday’s encounter – but we’re enhancing those odds by backing the visitors to win and both teams to score.

Jong may not bag many points but they usually manage to hit the net and they have scored in eight of their last nine in the league, whilst Sparta have conceded in eight of their last nine games on the road.

Sparta won the reverse fixture 4-2 which would have seen this bet land and we’re predicting a 1-4 scoreline in this one with Fraser’s side expected to forge clear in the second half.