Our prediction for this Netherlands Eredivisie match:
All eyes will be on Stadion Galgenwaard when Utrecht and PSV face each other in a highly-anticipated Eredivisie game. Utrecht failed to impress in a 2-0 loss to ten-man Vitesse, but despite the defeat they are still sitting in the Conference League berth. Midfielder Jens Toornstra serves a one-game ban due to the accumulation of yellow cards, while experienced forward Bas Dost remains in the recovery room.
PSV, on the other hand, continue life without Cody Gakpo and Noni Madueke, who left the club in the January transfer window, but the duo was not missed at all in a 6-0 crushing of Groningen. The visitors aim to keep their title hopes alive, and seeing that Utrecht produced a poor display at the weekend, away win should be considered. As for the away team, defender Armando Obispo is banned for the match, while all Fode Fofana, Anwar El-Ghazi, and Philipp Mwene are sidelined with injuries.
Highlighted Player (Mike van der Hoorn):
Mike van der Hoorn is a Dutch international who plays for Arminia Bielefeld as a centre-back. Van der Hoorn spent his youth career at the likes of Buitenboys, Omniworld and Utrecht, and he continued playing for the “Cathedral citizens” at senior level.
The Dutch footballer then joined Ajax where he scored three goals in 33 appearances in the Eredivisie. During his spell with the famous Eredivisie club he made 22 appearances for Jong Ajax as well. In 2016 he decided to move to UK as he signed a three-year deal with Swansea City.
After spending four seasons at the Liberty Stadium, Mikel van der Hoorn joined Arminia Bielefeld in the summer of 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic. The Dutch defender made his Bundesliga debut on September 19, 2020 in a 1-1 draw with Eintracht Frankfurt. His primary position is centre-back, and he has a contract with Arminia until June 30, 2023.
Highlighted Team (PSV):
Based in Eindhoven, Netherlands, PSV is a professional football club competing the top flight of the Dutch football, Eredivisie. PSV play their home games at the Phillips Stadium which can accommodate 35,000 people. Over the course of its 100-year-old history, PSV has become one of the country’s Big Three clubs that has dominated Eredivisie along with Ajax and Feyenoord.
Known as a stepping stone for future world-class stars, PSV propelled the likes of Ruud Gullit, Ronald Koeman, Romario, Ronaldo, Ruud van Nistelrooy and most recently Arjen Robben. The Boeren (Peasants) as they call themselves take pride in Eindhoven’s status of being a provincial city and never hide their Brabantian heritage which allow them to enjoy their uniqueness in the company of more prominent clubs from Dutch big cities.
The Peasants boast 23 domestic league titles and 9 KNVB Cup trophies. They have also managed two major European titles – European Cup in 1987-88 and UEFA Cup in 1977-78.