Our prediction for this Netherlands Eredivisie match:
Utrecht
Match Time & Date:
01/06/2023
21:00
Prediction: 2-1
Sparta Rotterdam
Following a hard-fought 3-2 win over Emmen on the last day of the regular season, Utrecht will look to give fans yet another reason to celebrate when they take on Sparta Rotterdam in the Conference League playoffs semis, first leg. Utrecht are a real force to be reckoned with at home, but Thursday’s clash will be anything but a walk in the park for the home side. Defender Mike van der Hoorn is banned for the match, while both Bas Dost and Ramon Hendriks are major doubts.
The Rotterdammers, on the other hand, aim to build on a thrilling 5-0 win over Groningen. Since the visitors have been scoring goals for fun of late, we believe that there is a big value in betting on over 2.5 goals. There are no fresh injury worries in the away team ahead of the trip to Utrecht.
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 (Sparta Rotterdam):
Founded back on April 1, 1888, Sparta Rotterdam is considered one of the oldest clubs in the Netherlands. De Kasteelheren (the Castle Lords) welcome their opponents at Het Kasteel, and they have a great rivalry with Feyenoord. Yet another Rotterdam club Excelsior are considered Sparta’s fierce rivals as well.
Sparta Rotterdam wear white shirts with red strips when playing on home soil, while sky blue is the dominant colour of their away kit. De Kasteelheren have won six Eredivisie trophies. Sparta were the dominant force in the Dutch football in the 1910s, with the team winning their last league title in the 1958/59 season.
De Kasteelheren have won three Dutch Cup trophies as well (1957/58, 1961/62, 1965/66). In the 1985/86 season Sparta last participated in the UEFA Cup, with the team beating Hamburger SC in round 1, while suffering elimination to Borussia Monchengladbach in the second round. Sparta’s stadium Het Kasteel can hold up to 11,926 spectators.
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