Our prediction for this Netherlands Eredivisie match:
A place in the Europa Conference League will be at stake when Feyenoord and Utrecht face each other at De Kuip on Sunday. Feyenoord recorded a routine 2-0 win over their local rivals Sparta in the semis, with key player Steven Berghuis once again proving his worth. Considering that boss Dick Advocaat can count on key players for the decider, home win should be considered. The likes of Balde, Geertruida, Linssen, Nieuwkoop, and Pratto are all likely to miss the match with injuries.
Utrecht, on the other hand, set up a meeting with Feyenoord in the Eredivisie playoffs finals thanks to a hard-fought 1-0 win over Groningen. The visitors, though, have been anything but impressive up front of late, which is the main reason why we are tempted to put our money on the hosts. Both Akmum and Mamengi are sidelined with injuries for the away team.
Highlighted Player (Steven Berghuis):
Born in Apeldoorn, Netherlands on December 19, 1991, Steven Berghuis is a Dutch winger who plays for Ajax in the Eredivisie. Berghuis played for the likes of Vitesse/AGOVV, WSV Apeldoorn, and Go Ahead Eagles during his youth career before joining Twente in 2009.
The 183-cm-tall footballer continued playing for the Reds at senior level. After ending his loan spell with VVV-Venlo, Steven Berghuis joined AZ Alkmaar in the summer of 2012, and three years later signed a deal with the Premier League club Watford. After making no more than nine appearances in the English top flight, Berghuis moved to Feyenoord in August 2016, and he has been playing De club aan de Maas ever since.
His main position is right winger, but he is capable of producing fine displays as both left winger and attacking midfielder as well. He made his Netherlands debut on May 27, 2016 in a 1-1 draw with the Republic of Ireland.
Highlighted Team (Utrecht):
Established on July 1, 1970, Utrecht is a Dutch club that competes in the Eredivisie. The club was founded as a merger of VV DOS, USV Elinkwijk, and Velox, and it has to be noted that VV DOS did well to win the Eredivisie trophy back in 1958.
Utrecht, on the other hand, have yet to win the national championship, but they have lifted three KNVB Cup trophies (1984/85, 2002/03, 2003/04). Leo van Veen is leading the club’s all-time goal-scoring chart with 153 goals. Speaking of the club’s colours, they were white and red shirts when playing at home, while blue is the dominant colour of their away jersey.
Due to the hooligan clashes, Utrecht have a rivalry with Dutch giants Ajax. The games between the two clubs have always been very tense on the field. Utrecht welcome their rivals at Stadion Galgenwaard, the venue which can hold up to 23,750 people. The stadium was opened back in May 1936.