In-form Eredivisie sides FC Utrecht and NEC will be looking to continue their upward trajectories when they go head-to-head at the Stadion Galgenwaard on Sunday.
The home side are unbeaten in all but one of their last 10 matches, while the visitors are currently on a run of four straight wins across all competitions.
Match preview
FC Utrecht had to make do with a point from their meeting against Almere City, which ended in a 1-1 stalemate at the Yanmar Stadion on Saturday.
Ron Jans's men conceded a third-minute opener to Yoann Cathline before getting themselves back on level terms through Sam Lammers 10 minutes later.
Consequently, De Domstedelingen remain eighth in the Eredivisie table, two points clear of Heerenveen in the race for the final continental spot.
Awaiting them next is the challenge of an opposing outfit who boast just one win from the last eight editions of this fixture dating back to 2016.
However, that solitary defeat did come in the most recent encounter back in September, when Sunday's hosts fell to a 3-0 defeat in this season's reverse fixture.
NEC Nijmegen ran out comfortable 2-0 winners against Heerenveen when the teams went head-to-head at Stadion de Goffert on Saturday afternoon.
Rogier Meijer's men opened the scoring midway through the second half through Koki Ogawa before doubling their advantage moments later courtesy of Rober Gonzalez's strike.
With 39 points picked up from 25 league matches so far, the Eniesee currently sit sixth in the standings, six points clear of their next opponents.
Having scored nine times in their last three games on the road, Sunday's visitors will be looking to put on another attacking masterclass away from home.
Team News
Anthony Descotte remains out of action for Utrecht through a damaged ankle, while Ole ter Haar Romeny continues to battle with a finger injury.
The home side will also be without the services of Tim Handwerker, Taylor Booth and Kevin Gadellaa, who are all ruled out through knee injuries.
NEC's Kas de Wit is currently sidelined with a long-term injury, while fellow Dutchman Dirk Proper continues to battle with a muscle problem.
Forward Bas Dost also misses out for the visitors due to a heart problem, which has seen him fail to feature since the first week of December.
FC Utrecht possible starting lineup:
Branderhorst; El Karouani, Viergever, Van der Hoorn, Ter Avest; Fraulo, Flamingo; Boussaid, Toornstra, Azarkan; Lammers
NEC possible starting lineup:
Cillessen; Baas, Verdonk, Sandler, Van Rooy; Hoedemakers, Schone; Sano, Borges, Hansen; Sow
We say: FC Utrecht 2-1 NEC
There is little to pick between the sides heading into this one, and Sunday's game could easily head either way. That said, we are backing the hosts to get the job done come the end of the 90 minutes.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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