Utrecht vs Feyenoord – News and Probable Lineups

FC Utrecht, without a win since mid-December, will face second-placed Feyenoord at Stadion Galgenwaard as they look to snap a seven-match winless streak in their clash for gameweek 22.

Out of those seven games, six ended in defeats, a disappointing trend for Ron Jans’s squad, who are eager to change their fortunes against a team that currently stands with two consecutive losses and is now likely out of the race for the Eredivisie title.

Match overview

Utrecht must feel relieved to have left behind a dreadful January in which they could not secure a single win across five matches to kick off 2026.

Examining their performance reveals that Jans’s team suffered defeats in all five matches, bringing their losing streak to six if including the last defeat of 2025; however, February started on a more optimistic note as they drew away to Heerenveen.

This draw was significant as it represented the first point gained in over a month, with their last victory occurring on December 17 when they defeated TOP Oss 2-0 in the second round of the KNVB Beker.

While the six consecutive losses were by margins of one or two goals, the toll on their confidence was evident, leading to a drop to 12th place in the standings.

Hoping to build on last weekend’s point, Utrecht approaches this fixture determined to secure their first home victory in any competition since early November.

Since their 2-1 win against Ajax on November 9, Utreg has gone on to lose five consecutive matches following a 1-1 draw with FC Twente, and they seek to end a three-month-long winless run at Stadion Galgenwaard.

This ambition is tempered by the historical context of this fixture, as Utrecht has lost seven of their last ten encounters against Feyenoord, with six of the most recent seven clashes serving to highlight the wider disparity between the two teams.

Given the head-to-head record and the predominantly one-sided nature of their matches, the Stadionclub should, in theory, be favored to secure all three points.

Nevertheless, Robin van Persie’s squad is still struggling after a strong start to the season that suggested they might challenge for the title.

The Rotterdam giants opened the campaign with seven victories out of their first eight matches, drawing the only game they didn’t win—a 3-3 tie against AZ Alkmaar in gameweek five.

During this period, the Stadionclub managed to keep five clean sheets, sparking hope for a title challenge as they aimed for a 17th Eredivisie title, their first since the 2022-23 season.

A 3-2 home loss to PSV Eindhoven in round nine sent their season spiraling, leading to only four wins in the following eleven league matches, alongside five defeats.

Another setback came versus PSV in Eindhoven, where Van Persie’s side conceded three goals in a disastrous opening 20 minutes, effectively sealing their fate in that match.

This loss not only marked Feyenoord’s sixth defeat of the season but also left them a staggering 17 points behind the reigning champions as they head into gameweek 22.

Despite having a strong historical performance against Utrecht, even the most optimistic supporters would find it hard to interpret a good result this weekend as a revival of their title ambitions.

Those aspirations are realistically dashed, with Feyenoord on 39 points and currently in a four-way scramble to secure a spot in the top two to guarantee Champions League qualification for next season, or at the very least, to finish third, which offers a route into Europe’s top club tournament.

Team News

Jesper Karlsson will be evaluated after leaving the field due to injury in the 64th minute during the draw with Heerenveen, and he may join Souffian El Karouani, Zidane Iqbal (knee), Sebastien Haller (ribs), and Siebe Horemans as uncertain for Sunday.

However, the home side will be missing the trio of David Min (ankle), Victor Jensen (knee), and Mike Eerdhuijzen for the visit of the 16-time top-flight champions.

In Jensen’s absence and his five league goals, Utrecht will depend on Gjivai Zechiel and Dani de Wit to increase their tallies of four and three goals, respectively, for the struggling team.

Fortunately for Utrecht, they are set to face another side hindered by injuries, albeit one currently sitting 11 spots above them in the standings.

Van Persie’s extensive injury list features Tsuyoshi Watanabe, Gijs Smal, Thomas Beelen, Givairo Read, Gaoussou Diarra, Sam Steijn, Gernot Trauner, Shiloh ‘t Zand, Shaqueel van Persie, and Malcolm Jeng.

Notably missing is Goncalo Borges, who will serve a suspension due to his dismissal for a foul in the 84th minute against PSV, ruling him out for the trip on Sunday.

Ayase Ueda has not added to his 19 goals in league and European competitions since netting four against PEC Zwolle in early December, with his goal drought extending to eight matches.

While Anis Hadj Moussa did not score or provide an assist in the last match, the Algeria international’s tally of six goals and four assists emphasizes his game-changing abilities.

FC Utrecht probable starting XI:

Barkas; Vesterlund, Didden, Van the Hoorn, Bozdogan; Enginea, Zechel; Cathline, The White, Alarcon; Ro direct

Feyenoord probable starting XI:

Wellenreuther; Deijl, St. Juste, Ahmedhodzic, Bos; Hwang, Valente Targhalline; Moussa, Ueda, Sauer

With both squads grappling with injury crises, this clash might devolve into a messy, gritty struggle rather than a strategic showcase.

A low-scoring draw could halt the downward trend for both managers but may not wholly satisfy either set of fans.