Looking to conclude two largely contrasting seasons on a high, FC Utrecht and Emmen will do battle at the Stadion Galgenwaard on Sunday in the final weekend of the 2022-23 Eredivisie campaign.

The hosts have successfully secured a European place by the virtue of their league standings, while the visitors are headed for the second tier of Dutch football.

Match preview

Seeking to pick up a third win on the bounce, Utrecht fell to a 3-1 defeat against Ajax in Sunday's encounter between the teams at the Johan Cruyff ArenA.

Michael Silberbauer's men fell behind to Steven Bergwijn's 20th-minute strike but managed to level matters through Anastasios Douvikas, after which goals from Brian Brobbey and Davy Klaassen decided the contest.

As a result, the Domstedelingen remain seventh in the Eredivisie table but can no longer usurp Sparta Rotterdam into sixth place having fallen five points behind.

Awaiting them next is the challenge of an opposing outfit who have enjoyed the better of this fixture, winning four of the previous six clashes, including each of the last two.

Ahead of the first leg of their Conference League playoff semi-final against Sparta four days later, Sunday's hosts set out to secure a morale-boosting victory on home turf this weekend.

FC Emmen were beaten for the fourth time in five matches as they suffered a 3-1 loss against newly-crowned champions Feyenoord at De Oude Meerdijk on Sunday.

Dick Lukkien's men took a shock lead in the 10th minute through Richairo Zivkovic but were soon pegged back by Oussama Idrissi before Danilo's second-half double settled matters.

Having picked up 28 points from 33 matches so far, the Kannibals' relegation from the Eredivisie has now been confirmed heading into the final matchday.

Currently with the third-worst defensive record on the road this term, Sunday's visitors will need to be wary of being on the receiving end of another away drubbing.

Team News

Mart Lieder and Maikel Kieftenbeld are ruled for Emmen through knee injuries with the former still yet to make a single appearance this term.

Metehan Guclu also misses out for the visitors due to an injury problem which has kept the 24-year-old on the sidelines for the last six months.

Utrecht's Calvin Raatsie is still sidelined with an ankle problem, and the Dutchman is joined on the treatment table by compatriot Ramon Hendriks and Django Warmerdam, who are unavailable through knee injuries.

Bas Dost has missed each of the home side's last two matches due to a muscle problem which is set to keep the striker out of this weekend's involvement as well.

Following his goal last time out, Anastasios Douvikas has found the back of the net in three straight outings, making him one to keep an eye on.

FC Utrecht possible starting lineup:
Barkas; Van der Maarel, Viergever, Van der Hoorn, Klaiber; Toornstra, Bozdogan; Booth, Van de Streek, Boussaid; Douvikas

Emmen possible starting lineup:
Van der Hart; Burnet, Veldmate, Araujo, Te Wierik; Veendorp, El Messaoudi; Romeny, Diemers, Antonisse; Zivkovic

We say: FC Utrecht 2-0 Emmen

Having seen their survival hopes go up in flames last time out, Emmen will head into Sunday's clash with little to play for. Utrecht, meanwhile, will be keen to end the campaign strongly, and we are tipping the hosts to carry the day come the sound of the final whistle.


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