FC Emmen take on FC Utrecht in the Eredivisie on Tuesday, with the hosts looking for their first win of the season in order to move off the bottom of the table.

Utrecht, meanwhile, can move into the top half with a win.

Match preview

After being promoted to the Eredivisie for the first time in the club's history in 2018, Dick Lukkien guided Emmen to 14th and 12th placed finishes in the past two seasons.

However, his side have failed to win any of their opening 13 league matches so far this season, drawing five and losing eight to sit rock bottom of the Eredivisie table.

Results have at least picked up for Lukkien's side in recent weeks, though, with a domestic cup win against Groningen sandwiched by two successive league draws, although the home draw against fellow strugglers ADO Den Haag may have felt like a missed opportunity.

In 34-year-old Michael de Leeuw, Emmen do at least have a reliable goalscorer, with the forward scoring 17 league goals in 52 appearances since joining the club in January 2019.

Having finished in the top six for five consecutive seasons, meanwhile, Utrecht fans will be disappointed by the start their side has made to the current campaign.

John van den Brom left the club to take charge of Belgian side Genk in November, with former FC Twente boss Rene Hake stepping up from the reserve team to take charge.

The 48-year-old has had a disappointing spell in charge so far, failing to win any of his seven matches, with three 1-1 draws against teams below them in the table in the shape of PEC Zwolle, Den Haag and Fortuna Sittard particularly disappointing returns.

Hake will be hoping for more from last season's top goalscorer Gyrano Kerk, who after scoring two goals in 11 starts this campaign is currently falling well short of surpassing the 10 league goal mark he reached last season.

Emmen Eredivisie form: LLLLDD
Emmen form (all competitions): LLLDWD

FC Utrecht Eredivisie form: LDDDLD
FC Utrecht form (all competitions): DDDLLD

Team News

Emmen are without Lucas Bernadou due to coronavirus, while Luciano Carty is also unavailable due to a shoulder injury.

Lukkien will desperately be searching for answers in an attempt to find his side's first league win of the season, with plenty of fringe players knocking on his door for a start.

Utrecht, meanwhile, will not have goalkeepers Fabian de Keijzer or Maarten Paes available due to a hand injury and concussion respectively.

Hake will also have to make do without Emil Bergstrom due to a thigh problem.

Emmen possible starting lineup:
Telgenkamp; Van Rhijn, Araujo, Bakker, Cavlan; Bijl, Caciano, Veendorp; Laursen, Kolar, Pena

FC Utrecht possible starting lineup:
Oelschlagel; Van der Maarel, Jago, Hoogma, Warmerdam; Van de Streek, Van Overeem, Ramselaar; Kerk, Mahi, Sylla

We say: Emmen 1-2 FC Utrecht

With both sides short of victories this season, it could be a match marked by the lack of confidence on display more than anything else.

However, we expect Hake to record an overdue first win since taking charge last month, with Emmen looking destined for relegation this season.

Top betting tip

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