Preview: FC Utrecht vs. RKC Waalwijk - prediction, team news, lineups
FC Utrecht and RKC Waalwijk square up against each other in matchday five of the 2021-22 Eredivisie season at the Stadion Galgenwaard on Saturday.
Both teams are looking to bounce back from respective defeats last time out which should make for an entertaining contest this weekend.
Match preview
Utrecht suffered their first loss of the new campaign on Friday when they fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat versus Twente on Saturday at the Grolsch Veste Stadium.
With the match level at the end of regulation, Robin Propper‘s men popped up with an injury-time to put Rene Hake‘s men to the sword in Enschede.
Nonetheless, the Domstedelingen remain in third place on the standings, albeit now trailing league leaders PSV Eindhoven by five points.
Next up for them is a clash versus an opposing side who they defeated in both of last season’s encounters, claiming a 3-1 win in the first meeting, before completing a league in the reverse fixture courtesy of a 2-1 win.
Waalwijk lost for the second time in their last three league outings as they were beaten 2-1 by Vitesse at the Mandemakers Stadion on Sunday.
Joseph Oosting‘s men went behind to Danilho Doekhi‘s opener but parity was eventually restored thanks to Said Bakari, only for Yann Gboho to score the winner nine minutes after the restart.
Since a surprise opening-day win over AZ Alkmaar, RKC have picked up just one of the subsequent nine points available and currently 11th on the log.
A major contributing factor to that poor run has been their defensive frailty as Saturday visitors have conceded seven goals in that time.
FC Utrecht Eredivisie form:
FC Utrecht form (all competitions):
- W
- W
- D
- W
- W
- L
RKC Waalwijk Eredivisie form:
RKC Waalwijk form (all competitions):
- L
- W
- W
- L
- D
- L
Team News
Utrecht will take to the field without the services of defenders Tommy St Jago and Reda Akmum, who are currently nursing knee problems.
Christopher Mamengi is still yet to feature for the hosts this season after damaging his knee in a pre-season friendly versus Venezia back in July.
David Min remains out of contention due to a muscle injury, while Luuk Wouters is a doubt for the contest as he continues to nurse a knee injury.
Richard van der Venne scored Waalwijk’s only goal in the last meeting between Saturday’s opponents and the 29-year-old will be looking to deliver the goods once again.
FC Utrecht possible starting lineup:
Paes; Warmerdam, Janssen, Van der Hoorn, Ter Avest; Maher, Timber, Gustafsson; Ramselaar, Sylla, Douvikas
RKC Waalwijk possible starting lineup:
Vaessen; Lutonda, Meulensteen, Gaari, Buttner; Anita, Azhil, Van der Venne; Odgaard, Bakari, Kramer
We say: FC Utrecht 2-0 RKC Waalwijk
Prediction justification text here
Top tip
Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a home win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home Win:data Source: | This article originally belongs to Sportsmole.co.ukncG1vNJzZmhqZGy7psPSmqmorZ6Zwamx1qippZxemLyue82erqxnoKeyt7XEsGSfm12qwbOxwqGrZq6jYr%2Bsr4ywmJqkp563rHnPq5ydoZOptrC6jK2cmqVdo7K4v4yloKedpaXAcA%3D%3D