Preview: FC Utrecht vs. Heerenveen - prediction, team news, lineups

In search of an immediate response to a heavy loss last time out, FC Utrecht welcome Heerenveen to the Stadion Galgenwaard on Saturday.

The away side make the journey also looking to return to winning ways fresh off the back of a third defeat in four league outings.

Match preview

Utrecht were denied a fifth consecutive victory following a 5-1 thrashing versus AZ Alkmaar at the AFAS Stadion on Sunday.

Dani De Wit was the star of the show as he grabbed two goals and was joined on the score sheet by Vangelis Pavlidis, Jesper Karlsson and Albert Gudmundsson.

While the Domstedelingen remain in third place on the standings, they have now fallen five points behind Ajax at the top of the table.

An opportunity to bounce back awaits versus an opposing side who have not won any of the last seven meetings between the teams since a frenetic 4-3 triumph in 2018.

However, Saturday's hosts could only manage a point in both of last season's league encounters and will be keen to claim all three this weekend.

Heerenveen fell to a second straight defeat on home turf courtesy of a 2-0 loss versus against defending champions Ajax on Saturday.

Goals in either half from Sebastien Haller and David Neres were enough to put Johnny Jansen's men to the sword at the Abe Lenstra Stadion.

With 13 points from nine matches so far, De Superfriezen are in eight place, just outside the last European place by two points.

Saturday's visitors, who have only lost one of their four games on the road this term, will back themselves to pick up another positive result away from home.

Team News

Utrecht will take to the field without the services of Christopher Mamengi, Tommy St Jago and Reda Akmum who are all ruled out of Saturday's clash with knee injuries.

Midfielder Simon Gustafson continues to struggle with an ankle problem which has seen him miss the home side's last five matches.

Heerenveen's Pawel Bochniewicz is unavailable due to a knee injury, while 32-year-old Erwin Mulder remain sidelined through a finger injury.

Filip Stevanovic sat out the last game with a slight knock and the Serb is a doubt for this weekend's visitors

FC Utrecht possible starting lineup:
Paes; Warmerdam, Janssen, Van der Hoorn, Van der Maarel; Maher, Timber, Ramselaar; Sylla, Douvikas, Boussaid

Heerenveen possible starting lineup:
Mous; Dresevic, Woudenberg, Van Beek, Van Ewijk; J.Veerman, Halilovic, Madsen; De Jong, H.Veerman, Musaba

We say: FC Utrecht 2-1 Heerenveen

Utrecht have flown out of the blocks this term and should not feel too disheartened by their humbling at the hands of AZ last time out. We are backing them to claim all three points in this one, albeit by only a narrow margin, come the full-time whistle.