Groningen vs Utrecht – News and Probable Lineups

FC Utrecht, who are two places above Groningen in the Eredivisie standings, will visit Euroborg for Saturday’s 23rd round matchup, seeking to narrow the four-point gap to eighth-placed Groningen.

While the visitors come into this match off the back of ending a nine-match winless streak, the hosts are reeling from four straight defeats and will be eager to bounce back.

Match overview

When Younes Taha put Pride of the North ahead 1-0 against PSV Eindhoven in the 17th minute, Dick Lukkien might have entertained the notion that his team could end the defending champions’ 10-match winning run away from home.

However, a second-half comeback allowed the giants to maintain their perfect away record, condemning De FC to their third straight Eredivisie loss after setbacks against Fortuna Sittard (2-1) and Sparta Rotterdam (2-0).

This slump in form was unexpected, especially considering Lukkien’s squad had previously gone five matches unbeaten in the top flight, accumulating 11 points from a possible 15 and achieving four clean sheets during that run.

Now, though, they have conceded two goals in each of their last three losses, two of which occurred at Euroborg, where De FC has struggled for consistency this season.

Despite registering victories in their first three home fixtures — defeating Heerenveen (2-1), Heracles (4-0), and Telstar (2-0) — they have managed just one additional win since then: a 3-0 victory over FC Volendam, who were without an away win at that time.

With half of their last eight matches at Euroborg ending in disappointment, it will be intriguing to see if Lukkien’s team implements any tactical innovations to prevent another loss against Saturday’s rivals.

Ron Jans leads his team to the Groningen region following a comprehensive 3-1 win over the high-scoring NEC, who had gone 10 Eredivisie matches without defeat preceding Wednesday.

However, Utrecht — the last side to defeat the Nijmegen outfit back in November — capitalized by scoring three times before the 50th minute through Angel Alarcon, Gjivai Zechiel, and Yoann Cathline, rendering Darko Nejasmic’s goal shortly before the hour mark merely a consolation.

The victory marked Domstedelingen’s first in the league since their triumph over Ajax on November 9, and they are now aiming for consecutive league wins for the first time in three months, having recently broken a stretch of nine matches without back-to-back victories.

With a four-point gap between the clubs, a positive outcome could bring the 10th-placed visitors within a point of overtaking the eighth-placed hosts, contingent upon Utrecht achieving consecutive away wins in the league for the first time this season, a feat they have not accomplished since December 2024 to January 2025.

Given the possibility of slipping as low as 13th place should Domstedelingen falter at Euroborg and if other results do not favor them — with Fortuna Sittard, SBV Excelsior, and PEC Zwolle all just a point behind — Jans will hope for a strong performance to secure back-to-back league victories for the first time since November.

Team News

While Groningen did not report any notable injuries against PSV, the hosts may need to manage Saturday’s match without the previously injured Tika de Jonge and Mats Seuntjens.

Taha’s goal in the last round brings his total contributions for the season to seven — tied for second with Thom van Bergen and just two behind Stije Resink — and the playmaker aims to continue his positive form into 2026.

Although Brynjolfur Darri Willumsson has not found the net since mid-December, the forward’s six goals — two of which were game-winners — lead the team, and he will look to break a six-match scoring drought this weekend.

For the visitors, there are a few injury concerns: Sebastien Haller (ribs), Victor Jensen (knee), Mike Eerdhuijzen (thigh), and David Min (ankle) are unavailable, while Cathline’s status is uncertain after he exited with a late injury against NEC.

After stepping up with a goal and assist in midweek, Zechiel has matched Jensen’s five goals as the joint-top scorer, and he aims to find the back of the net in consecutive league matches for the first time this season.

Souffian El Karouani’s assist in the win against NEC marked his 10th in the league, placing him only behind PSV’s Joey Veerman, showcasing the wide defender’s contribution in open play and set pieces.

Groningen probable starting XI:

Vaessen; Mercera, Rente, Blokzijl, Prins; Resink, Country; Van der Werff, Taha, Schreuders; Van Bergen

FC Utrecht probable starting XI:

Barkas; Vesterlund, Didden, Viergever, El Karouani; Engwanda, Zechiel; Alarcon, De Wit, Blake; Stepanov

Utrecht’s uplifting performance against NEC sharply contrasts with Groningen’s recent difficulties, and the visitors will perceive a prime chance to close the gap in the standings.

We anticipate Jans’s squad will exploit the hosts’ defensive vulnerabilities to secure a narrow win, making it two victories in a row.