Round 16 in the Eredivisie pits FC Utrecht against RKC Waalwijk, with both sides to battle at Stadion Galgenwaard on Saturday.
The home side could be sucked into a relegation tussle by their opponents, who sit just three points behind in the standings despite a two-game losing sequence.
Match preview
Utrecht may be undefeated in the Eredivisie since October 6, yet they are nowhere close to escaping a relegation battle in the campaign's second half.
Losing 1-0 at Volendam was their seventh of the campaign, but the next seven matches have seen Ron Jans's men remain unbeaten, even if they could be winning more games.
Only three of the seven matches have brought maximum points, with the Cupfighters focusing on avoiding defeats instead of pushing for victories.
They must secure more victories in front of their supporters — their only success in 2023-24 came against Ajax after October's international break — to move away from the dreaded drop zone.
Having secured three straight draws in front of their fans, Utrecht may feel they are due maximum points and would strive for success on Saturday.
It remains to be seen if Waalwijk are willing opponents, even if a three-game winless run that has seen them lose back-to-back league matches suggests otherwise.
Defeats by Ajax (3-2) and Fortuna Sittard (1-0) have been by one-goal margins, underscoring this team's competitiveness in games.
Having lost by two, three and four-goal margins in the campaign's first four rounds, the 2-0 defeat by Sparta Rotterdam in late October is the only loss that has not been by one strike.
This bodes well for a side battling relegation, as they often stay in games, making Henk Fraser's troops back themselves to avoid losing their topflight status.
Be that as it may, RKC must improve on the recent record that has seen them fall to defeats in five of seven Eredivisie matches, leaving them two points clear of second-bottom Vitesse.
Team News
Mike van der Hoorn (broken rib) will be monitored before Saturday's game, and the defender could return if medical checks clear him, while Anthony Descotte is doubtful.
With Utrecht's forwards not pulling up trees, the hosts have relied on goals from elsewhere, and they could look to Victor Jensen (three), Oscar Fraulo and Ryan Flamingo (both two) to come up trumps this weekend.
As for Waalwijk, the visitors have no injury worries for round 16's clash, giving Fraser the full complement of his players to work with.
Yassin Oukili has netted five times from midfield, and he could be this weekend's game-changer for the visiting side, keen to end their run of three without winning.
FC Utrecht possible starting lineup:
Barkas; T. Avest, Flamingo, Viergever, El Karouani; Bozdogan, Fraulo; Ramselaar, Jensen, Boussaid; Seuntjens
RKC Waalwijk possible starting lineup:
Vaessen; Lelieveld, Adewoye, V.D. Buijs, Meijers; Roemeratoe, Oukili; Cloenise, Lokesa, Stevanovic; Kramer
We say: FC Utrecht 2-2 RKC Waalwijk
While the home support would wish for a victory, another draw could be on the cards for Utrecht, who are expected to extend their unbeaten run against Waalwijk to eight games.
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