Vitesse take on FC Utrecht in the Eredivisie on Tuesday, with the hosts able to move into second place in the table with a victory.

Utrecht, meanwhile, will move into the top half if they can avoid defeat.

Match preview

Indeed, Vitesse have had a superb start to life under Thomas Letsch, taking an impressive 32 points from their opening 15 games to occupy fourth position in the table.

The former Austria Vienna boss was appointed in the role last May, becoming Vitesse's first full-time manager since Leonid Slutsky departed the club in November 2019.

The early signs are certainly hugely promising for the club, with Letsch tightening up a defence which has only conceded 12 goals in 15 games so far this season. Vitesse probably lack the firepower of the likes of Ajax, PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord to last the distance in terms of being title contenders, but securing a Europa League qualification spot would be considered a tremendous achievement.

Saturday's 2-0 win at Heracles was reflective of their performances on the whole this season, with Matus Bero's brace providing a deserved victory in a game in which they dominated possession and took their chances when they came. If they can do the same against Utrecht, it should be another solid three points.

Utrecht finished one place ahead of Vitesse in sixth last season, meanwhile, but there has been a big gap between the sides this campaign, with the visitors currently 14 points behind their forthcoming opponents.

John van den Brom departing the club for Genk in November certainly did not help matters, with Rene Hake stepping up from his position as manager of the reserve team to take over the senior squad. The 49-year-old does at least have experience at this level, having managed FC Twente between 2015 and 2017.

Saturday's 2-2 draw against Groningen was Hake's first game in charge since signing an 18-month contract, with Gyrano Kerk's last-minute equaliser salvaging a crucial point for Utrecht after they had gone 2-0 down after only 21 minutes.

Hake will be delighted with the spirit shown by his players, but equally will be imploring them to start much quicker against Vitesse, as any potential comeback against a team in such excellent form would almost certainly be a far tougher prospect.

Vitesse Eredivisie form: WLDWLW
Vitesse form (all competitions): LDWWLW

FC Utrecht Eredivisie form: DLDWDD
FC Utrecht form (all competitions): LLDWDD

Team News

Vitesse appear to have no injury or suspension concerns at the moment, leaving Letsch free to pick what he feels is his strongest XI.

Rotation could be considered, though, considering the busy schedule, with Armando Broja an option to come into the side having scored five league goals in only seven starts this season.

Utrecht, meanwhile, are without Maarten Paes, Emil Bergstrom and Leon Guwara due to injury.

Former Netherlands international Urby Emanuelson will be hoping for a rare start, with the 34-year-old appearing from the bench on three occasions this season.

Vitesse possible starting lineup:
Pasveer; Dasa, Doekhi, Bazoer, Rasmussen, Wittek; Bero, Tannane, Bruns; Darfalou, Openda

FC Utrecht possible starting lineup:
Oelschlagel; Van der Maarel, Janssen, Hoogma, Warmerdam; Ramselaar, Van Overeem, Gustafson; Kerk, Dalmau, Elia

We say: Vitesse 2-0 FC Utrecht

We can envisage a comfortable victory for the home side, who have looked water-tight defensively in recent weeks.

Utrecht have not been struggling to score lately, though, so it would not be a surprise to see them make a real game of things.

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