On Sunday afternoon, RKC Waalwijk and Utrecht will clash at the Mandemakers Stadion in a game that could impact both teams' Eredivisie campaigns.
RKC Waalwijk looking to end a recent winless runThe home team is currently in 16th place in the Eredivisie, occupying the relegation play-off spot. They are five points clear of the automatic relegation spots and two points adrift of the safety of 15th place.
Waalwijk lost 3-2 at AZ Alkmaar last time out, meaning they are winless in their last five games in the Eredivisie and have suffered back-to-back league defeats.
RKC’s recent record is mixed in the Dutch top flight. They have won just one of their last four league games but are also unbeaten in their previous three home outings.
Their recent home games in the Eredivisie have been low-scoring, with under 2.5 goals scored in five of their last six matches.
Utrecht heads into this encounter in hot formThe visitors have hit form at just the right time. A 2-1 home win over Go Ahead Eagles last time out was their fourth win in their previous five matches in the Eredivisie.
Ron Jans’ team has been highly potent in attack of late, scoring at least two goals in their last four Eredivisie matches.
The recent decent form has kept Utrecht in the league’s top eight, although they are only five points ahead of ninth-place Sparta Rotterdam.
Utrecht ended a winless run of three games away from home by recording a 3-2 win at Heerenveen last time out. In recent away games, the visitors have been poor in defence, conceding at least two goals in three of their previous four matches.
What am I backing?Utrecht are in the better form of the two teams, and I feel they will continue their recent decent record in the Eredivisie with a victory in this clash.