Feyenoord are nearly home and hosed in the Eredivisie, and they welcome FC Utrecht to De Kuip on Sunday, looking to maintain their eight-point lead over Ajax in the table.

Arne Slot's team were eliminated from the Europa League on Thursday after 120 minutes against Roma, while this weekend's visitors seek a third victory on the trot to stun the table-topping side.

Match preview

A promising continental challenge finally fizzled out on Thursday after Feyenoord's extra-time defeat by Roma at Stadio Olimpico.

Slot has to motivate his worn-out troops after the 4-1 loss (5-2 aggregate defeat) for Sunday's visit of Utrecht, seeking a ninth straight Eredivisie victory.

The Stadium Club have not dropped points in the competition since a 2-2 draw with PSV Eindhoven in early February, and the impressive sequence has seen them open an eight-point lead atop the standings over Ajax.

With games running out in the 2022-23 season, the second-placed side need Slot's men to drop points and stay perfect themselves to supplant the table toppers.

PSV are also level on points with De Godenzonen, another reason for Feyenoord to strive for their 11th league win at De Kuip this term.

As for Utrecht, the battle for a playoff spot in Europe is nearly assured, barring any collapse in the campaign's closing weeks.

The Cupfighters are on a two-game winning run, going three unbeaten, and avoiding a loss at the division's best side further strengthens their grip on seventh place.

Michael Silberbauer's team are seven points clear of Waalwijk in eighth but should not panic with the side below them not pulling up trees in the league, having picked up six points from an available 15.

Utrecht could still end higher than seventh, although that will require Twente — currently six points ahead of the seventh-placed side — to drop points in the final weeks of the Eredivisie season.

This weekend's visitors are one of the competition's top scorers on their travels, but their tendency to concede as well means a goal-fest could be on the cards on Sunday.

Team News

Quilindschy Hartman was booked in last week's 3-0 win at Cambuur, and the left-back will miss out on Sunday through suspension.

Quinten Timber has been out since February with a knee injury and may not return this weekend, while Patrik Walemark and Mimeirhel Benita are likely to be out for the season.

Utrecht have been without left-back Django Warmerdam since October, and the defender is still absent with a knee injury.

Ramon Hendriks is expected to be out for the season after injuring his knee earlier this month.

Feyenoord possible starting lineup:
Bijlow; Pedersen, Trauner, Hancko, Lopez; Szymanski, Mieffer, Kokcu; Paixao, Gimenez, Idrissi

FC Utrecht possible starting lineup:
Keijzer; Klaiber, Hoorn, Viergever, Maarel; Toornstra, Brouwers, Streek; Jensen, Douvikas, Boussaid

We say: Feyenoord 2-2 FC Utrecht

For a side that played 120 gruelling minutes on Thursday, facing a high-scoring side like Utrecht on Sunday poses challenges for the title favourites.

Both sides should play out to a score draw, with Feyenoord's four-game winning run at De Kuip ending.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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