Sports Mole previews Tuesday’s KNVB Beker clash between FC Utrecht and Spakenburg, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
A place in the last four of the 2022-23 KNVB Beker is up for grabs on Tuesday when FC Utrecht welcome Spakenburg to the Stadion Galgenwaard.
The hosts saw off the threat of AZ Alkmaar in the previous round, while their visitors came out on top against Katwijk in a hard-fought 2-1 victory.
Match preview
FC Utrecht snapped a two-game losing streak by comprehensively beating Sparta Rotterdam 3-0 in Friday’s meeting at the Sparta Stadion Het Kasteel.
Michael Silberbauer‘s men opened the scoring through Victor Jensen, before late goals from Othman Boussaid and Anthony Descotte sealed the deal.
As a result, the Domstedelingen remain seventh in the Eredivisie table but they have now moved five points clear of RKC Waalwijk in the race for the final European spot.
Coming up next is the challenge of an opposing outfit who are still awaiting their first victory in this fixture after failing to win any of the previous two clashes.
Unbeaten in each of their four home matches since the turn of the year, Tuesday’s hosts will be confident of getting the job done in this one.
Spakenburg made it three wins on the bounce across all competitions courtesy of a 3-1 triumph over Jong Volendam at Sportpark De Westmaat on Saturday.
Floris van der Linden‘s opener and a first-half brace from Luuk Admiraal put Eric Meijers‘s men in cruise control after which Milan Engelander pulled one back late on.
With 34 points from their 23 league matches so far, De Blauwen sit seventh in the Tweede Divisie standings, a whopping 10 points off the top four.
Having already beaten Groningen in the round of 32, Tuesday’s hosts set out to eliminate a second top-flight side and write another chapter in what has been an incredible cup run.
FC Utrecht KNVB Beker form:
FC Utrecht form (all competitions):
Spakenburg KNVB Beker form:
Team News
Amin Younes and Calvin Raatsie both miss out for Utrecht through muscle and ankle problems respectively with the latter yet to feature in 2023.
Zakaria Labyad, Can Bozdogan and Django Warmerdam are all unavailable due to knee injuries as Bast Dost continues his spell on the sidelines with a foot problem.
Othman Boussaid has scored in each of his two matches for the hosts and the forward will be aiming to extend his current streak in front of goal.
Mark Veenhoven was hauled off with an injury scare before the half-time whistle in Spakenburg’s last outing, making the Dutchman a doubt for this one.
Off the back of his superb two-goal haul over the weekend, 20-year-old Luuk Admiraal is definitely one to keep an eye on for the visitors.
FC Utrecht possible starting lineup:
Barkas; Klaiber, Sagnan, Viergever, Van der Hoorn; Booth, Toornstra; Booth, Douvikas, Van de Streek; Boussaid
Spakenburg possible starting lineup:
Damen; Green, Werkman, Artien, Verhagen; Vink, Wesdorp, Koelewijn; Dekker, Admiraal, Van der Linden
We say: FC Utrecht 3-1 Spakenburg
Playing against lower-league opposition on home turf, Utrecht will be expected to take control of proceedings and seize the game by the scruff of the neck. We are backing the hosts to get the job done in relatively comfortable fashion.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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