* Betting odds were correct at the time of publication but are subject to change.
Utrecht vs NEC: Predictions & Odds
Both of these teams have made average starts to the new season and just 1pt and two places separate them in the Eredivisie table. Utrecht are the favourites to secure all 3pts with the bookmakers but NEC have proven themselves to be hard to beat in recent weeks.
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Draw
Utrecht have had the better of their recent encounters with NEC but both teams have started this season in a similar vein of form and we're backing the two clubs to play out a draw on Friday. Utrecht have only won one of their last three home games in the Eredivisie and one of those matches, against Cambuur, ended in a draw. NEC have drawn each of their last four matches in the league, two of which came away from home against AZ and Heerenveen.
Under 2.5 Goals
Three of the last six league meetings between these two teams have produced under 2.5 goals and we're expecting another low-scoring affair on Friday. Three of Utrecht's and five of NEC's last six outings in the Eredivisie have witnessed fewer than three goals scored, adding further weight to our second prediction for Friday's 7pm kick-off.
Everything you need to know about Utrecht vs NEC
Head to Head
29/04/22
Netherlands Eredivisie Netherlands
FC Utrecht
NEC
1
0
22/09/21
Netherlands Eredivisie Netherlands
NEC
FC Utrecht
0
3
18/03/17
Netherlands Eredivisie Netherlands
NEC
FC Utrecht
0
3
30/10/16
Netherlands Eredivisie Netherlands
FC Utrecht
NEC
1
1
10/04/16
Netherlands Eredivisie Netherlands
FC Utrecht
NEC
3
1
Last Five - FC Utrecht
04/02/23
Netherlands Eredivisie Netherlands
Heerenveen
FC Utrecht
0
1
W
28/01/23
Netherlands Eredivisie Netherlands
AZ
FC Utrecht
5
5
D
25/01/23
Netherlands Eredivisie Netherlands
Excelsior
FC Utrecht
0
1
W
22/01/23
Netherlands Eredivisie Netherlands
FC Twente
FC Utrecht
2
0
L
15/01/23
Netherlands Eredivisie Netherlands
Go Ahead Eagles
FC Utrecht
2
2
D
Last Five - NEC
05/02/23
Netherlands Eredivisie Netherlands
Go Ahead Eagles
NEC
1
0
L
28/01/23
Netherlands Eredivisie Netherlands
Sparta Rotterdam
NEC
1
1
D
25/01/23
Netherlands Eredivisie Netherlands
Feyenoord
NEC
2
0
L
21/01/23
Netherlands Eredivisie Netherlands
FC Emmen
NEC
1
3
W
15/01/23
Netherlands Eredivisie Netherlands
Vitesse
NEC
0
0
D
NEC will leapfrog Utrecht with a win
Utrecht left it late to secure all 3pts at home to Vitesse at the weekend but managed to move up into 8th-place with their victory. Veteran forward Bas Dost scored the game's only goal 6-minutes from time, continuing his fine scoring start to the season. A win on Friday would move Utrecht into the top six for at least 24hrs before Heerenveen and Excelsior play.
Utrecht Predicted lineup – Barkas, van der Maarel, ter Avest, Sagnan, van der Kust, Toornstra, Brouwers, Boussaid, Dost, Sylla & Douvikas
NEC had the home advantage against Fortuna Sittard but didn;t make the most of it and were lucky to escape with a share of the spoils in the end. The first forty-five minutes ended goalless but the visitors broke the deadlock in the 71st-minute through Ozyakup. NEC pushed for an equaliser and eventually got it deep into stoppage time when Marques was setup by Dimata.
NEC Predicted lineup – Cillessen, Verdonk, Márquez, El Karouani, van Rooij, Schöne, Duelund, Proper, Tannane, Dimata & Tavşan
Team News
Utrecht: Arthur Zagre, Mike van der Hoorn, Ramon Hendriks, Bart Ramselaar & Tommy St. Jago are all injury concerns for the hosts.
NEC: Mathias De Wolf has a hamstring issue that could keep him from making the trip to Utrecht on Friday.
Utrecht vs NEC: Q&A
- Who are the favourites to win? – Utrecht are the strong favourites with the bookmakers.
- What was the score when these two teams last met? – Utrecht 1-0 NEC.
- What time is kick-off? – 19:00 BST, 20:00 CET.
