Utrecht vs PSV: Match Preview and Prediction

December 1, 2024. 13:15. Utrecht. "Galgenwaard".
Eredivisie 2024-25. Round 14

Utrecht – PSV Eindhoven

Unavailable: None

Injuries: Kevin Hadeland, Alonzo Engwanda, Can Bozdogan – Sergiño Dest, Adamo Nagalo, Yerdi Schouten, Joey Verman, Kuhayb Driuesh

Utrecht

The "Reds" had a terrible start to last season, leading to a change of manager as early as September. The team was taken over by experienced manager Ron Jans, who, at that time, was 65 years old and had previously enjoyed a lengthy and largely successful tenure with Groningen, Zwolle (winning the Dutch Cup), and more recently, Twente, where he built a solid mid-table Eredivisie side. Things did not improve immediately, but Utrecht finished strongly in the second half of the season, ultimately finishing seventh, unexpectedly losing to Go Ahead Eagles in the playoff final for a spot in the Conference League. However, it turned out that was just a warm-up. This campaign, Jans's team has pleasantly surprised both their fans and Dutch experts. Currently, the "Reds" are the closest challengers to league leaders PSV, trailing by just five points before their direct encounter.

In late October, Utrecht suffered their first defeat of the season, losing 0-2 at home to Feyenoord. Prior to that, the northerners had seven wins in eight matches, drawing only away against Heerenveen (1-1) at the start of the season, while winning against Twente and AZ in Alkmaar. Interestingly, all their victories came by the narrowest of margins – three 2-1 wins and two 1-0 and 3-2 victories. In early November, Utrecht thrashed Sparta Rotterdam 4-1 away and won 1-0 at home against Heracles. Last weekend, Ron Jans's side narrowly defeated NEC 2-1 away, remaining in second place, keeping a two-point gap ahead of Ajax, with whom the "Reds" will play a postponed match from round 5 in a few days in Amsterdam.

PSV

Last week, Peter Bosz's team took another step towards the Champions League playoffs. After losing their opening match to Juventus in Turin, the "Farmers" drew 1-1 with Sporting from Portugal and PSG from France, before collecting maximum points in the next two matches. They first thrashed Girona from Spain at home and then, in a thrilling match, came from behind to beat Shakhtar Donetsk 3-2. The game turned out to be unexpectedly tough for the Dutch champions, who were considered overwhelming favorites. Instead of a comfortable two or three-goal margin, the team had to fight back after going down 0-2, but ultimately capitalized on a numerical advantage and errors from the rival's goalkeeper and defenders. Malik Tillman leveled the score with goals in the 87th and 90th minutes, and in stoppage time (90+5), the winning goal was scored by the "Farmers'" substitute, Ricardo Pepi.

PSV has three more games ahead, the next two being away matches against Gengham, where their opponents in the Champions League, Brest, are hosting, and Belgrade. Collecting 4-6 points from these matches will guarantee Bosz's team a spot in the playoffs. The final group stage match will see them face Liverpool at home. These fixtures will likely take priority for the Dutch champions, but they must not relax in the Eredivisie matches either, particularly against a fairly strong opponent in Utrecht. PSV started the league with 10 wins and a goal difference of 35-6. However, in early November, they were stopped by Ajax in Amsterdam, losing 3-2. The visitors led twice in that match, but it wasn’t enough. In their next match, the team won 3-0 in Breda, and last weekend they thrashed Groningen 5-0 at home.

Utrecht – PSV: Predicted Lineups

Utrecht will be without midfielder Alonzo Engwanda, who started the season as a regular, and Can Bozdogan, as well as their third or fourth-choice goalkeeper Kevin Hadeland. For PSV, Sergiño Dest, the customary absentee, along with young center-back Adamo Nagalo, main midfielders Yerdi Schouten and Joey Verman, and recently added forward Kuhayb Driesh, are all unavailable.

Utrecht – PSV: Match Preview

Earlier this year, Utrecht was the first team to halt PSV's march toward the championship. Peter Bosz's men won all 17 matches in the first half of the season, but began the second half with a draw at Galgenwaard. Trips to Utrecht have been particularly challenging for the "Farmers" in recent years. Following a comprehensive 7-1 victory in September 2017, PSV has won only once in the last six meetings at this stadium. Utrecht also has a victory in this period. The rest have been goal-laden draws. In my opinion, Ron Jans's team is capable of avoiding defeat against the champions again, but it is unlikely the hosts will manage to win.