High-flying Utrecht will be looking to get back to winning ways on Sunday following a surprise home defeat before the international break and up next for the Champions League hopefuls is a game against mid-table Heerenveen.
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Utrecht vs Heerenveen prediction: Utrecht to return to winning ways?
Key Stats
- Utrecht have been better on their travels this season but they have still won more games at home (six) than they have drawn (two) or lost (five).
- Over 2.5 goals have been produced in 62% of Utrecht's outings in the Eredivisie this season.
- 69% of Heerenveen's away games in the Eredivisie have featured at least three goals.
- Both teams have scored in 69% of Utrecht's league games so far this season.
Correct score prediction: Utrecht 2-1 Heerenveen
We're backing Utrecht to come good at home this weekend when they play host to a Heerenveen side that have been very poor on the road this season. The hosts score an average of 1.38 goals per home game and their guests concede an average of 2.54 goals per away game. However, Utrecht have only kept clean sheets in 19% of their league games this season, which is why we're backing a 2-1 correct scoreline prediction in their favour.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Utrecht the bookmaker's choice
- HOME: 4/5 (1.80) – 55.6%
- DRAW: 29/10 (3.90) – 25.6%
- AWAY: 7/2 (4.50) – 22.2%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Utrecht are the expected winner of this game with a probability of 55.6% and we can't argue with the bookmakers on this selection.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: Utrecht in front
Sunday's hosts have won three, drawn one and lost one of their last five competitive encounters against Heerenveen, but the pair did play out a 1-1 draw in August's reverse league meeting.
Netherlands Eredivisie 17/08/24
Heerenveen
FC Utrecht
Netherlands Eredivisie 07/04/24
Heerenveen
FC Utrecht
Netherlands Eredivisie 20/08/23
FC Utrecht
Heerenveen
Netherlands Eredivisie 04/02/23
FC Utrecht
Heerenveen
Netherlands Eredivisie 29/10/22
Heerenveen
FC Utrecht
Utrecht preview: Undone in their own backyard
It's no secret that Utrecht are performing better on the road than they are in their own backyard this season but that was never more evident than last time out against NEC.
Utrecht simply failed to take their chances and the longer the game went on goalless, the more the home fans feared an upset and in the 82nd minute, NEC converted a penalty to win the game 1-0.
Niklas Vesterlund, Miliano Jonathans, Mike van der Hoorn and Can Bozdogan make up the quartet of players who could miss out this weekend due to injury.
Predicted lineup: Barkas (GK), Viergever, Horemans, El Karouani, Didden, Toornstra, Aaronson, Fraulo, Iqbal, Haller & Ohio
Netherlands Eredivisie 13/04/25
W
FC Groningen
1
FC Utrecht
3
Netherlands Eredivisie 06/04/25
D
Go Ahead Eagles
2
FC Utrecht
2
Netherlands Eredivisie 30/03/25
W
Heerenveen
0
FC Utrecht
2
Netherlands Eredivisie 15/03/25
L
NEC
1
FC Utrecht
0
Netherlands Eredivisie 09/03/25
W
Willem II
2
FC Utrecht
3
Heerenveen preview: Held at home by Heracles
Heerenveen failed to make the most of their home advantage in their final league game before the international break against Heracles.
The visitors took the lead in the 18th minute but Marcus Linday equalised for Heerenveen just before the interval. However, Heerenveen failed to capitalise on their momentum and the game petered out to a 1-1 draw that favoured the visitors.
Heerenveen could be without the services of Mateja Milovanovic, Jacob Trenskow, Luuk Brouwers and Pawel Bochniewicz for the trip to Utrecht this weekend.
Predicted lineup: Noppert (GK), Kohlert, Kersten, Hopland, Braude, Linday, Smans, van Ee, Jahanbakhsh, Sebaoui & Lukovic
Netherlands Eredivisie 12/04/25
L
Sparta Rotterdam
3
Heerenveen
1
Netherlands Eredivisie 04/04/25
W
Willem II
1
Heerenveen
3
Netherlands Eredivisie 30/03/25
L
FC Utrecht
2
Heerenveen
0
Netherlands Eredivisie 15/03/25
D
Heracles
1
Heerenveen
1
Netherlands Eredivisie 08/03/25
L
PSV
2
Heerenveen
1
Player to watch: Souffian El Karouani
Souffian El Karouani is enjoying his second season with Utrecht after making the move from fellow Dutch side NEC in 2023.
The Moroccan midfielder has provided the creative force in the heart of the Utrecht team this season, having totted up seven assists in his 26 Eredivisie appearances so far.
El Karouani provides the creative spark for Utrecht
Utrecht are going to need their creative midfielder to be at his best on Sunday if they want to avenge their last home result and we're backing El Karouani to shine on Sunday.