Groningen vs Utrecht
19 December 1730hrs
Football – Netherlands – KNVB Beker
Pick Utrecht
Bookmaker Unibet
Odds: 7/4 odds taken 2000 GMT, Wednesday 18 December)
It’s an all Eredivisie tie in the KNVB Beker on Thursday as Groningen host Utrecht. The visitors won here less than two weeks ago in a narrow 1-0 victory but who will come out on top here and progress into the next round?
Groningen Preview – Can Groningen put their recent league struggles behind them and make progress in the cup?
It’s been a disappointing spell for Groningen of late having gone four games without a win. Draws with Feyenoord and ADO Den Haag either side of back-t0-back defeats against Fortuna Sittard and Utrecht have seen them fall to 10th in the league after what had been a really promising period which had seen them win five of six matches in all competitions. Included within that was a 2-1 win away to Harkemase Boys in the first round of the KNVB Becker. They have not gotten beyond this stage of the competition since 2015, the season after they went all the way to the final and won it – defeating PEC Zwolle 2-0. It remains their only success in the Dutch Cup and their greatest achievement to date.
Groningen’s coach Danny Buijs has fond memories of this competition as a player. Buijs was the Dutch Cup during his time with Feyenoord back in 2008. He led Groningen to the Europa League playoffs in his first season at the club where they lost out in the semi-finals. Qualification for European football is a realistic aim for them making this competition – on addition to the league – a priority.
Utrecht Preview – Will Utrecht repeat their victory here in the Eredivisie and move into the last 16?
It was Utrecht who were the eventual winners of the Europa League playoffs last season, but they were unable to make it to the group stage. Head Coach John van den Brom took over in the summer after a long spell as AZ boss and he has looked to maintain the club’s strong showing in the Eredivisie. Utrecht sit fifth in the table at the moment having won their last two matches. That brought to end a three game losing streak and they will be looking to kick on from here. Bart Ramselaar’s late goal was the difference the last time they played here. The midfielder has since scored twice in his team’s win over Heracles at the weekend and will be confident going into tomorrow’s game.
Utrecht were comprehensive winners in the last round when beating Excelsior 31 4-1 away from home. There’s certainly no shortage of goals in this team with only Ajaz, AZ and PSV have scored more in the league. One of the strengths of this team is how they spread goals throughout the squad. Spanish striker Adrian Dalmau was signed in the summer having scored 19 goals for Heracles last season. Dalmau hit three goals in his first four games before getting injured but is due back and could play a part from the bench in this one.
Key-Facts – Groningen vs Utrecht
- It’s now no wins in the last four for Groningen, a run which has seen them drop into the bottom half of the Eredivisie
- Utrecht have won their last two in the league to move up to fifth – one of those victories being away to this opponent earlier this month
- Groningen have won just one of the last six home games against Utrecht stretching back to 2013
Groningen vs Utrecht Betting Advice
There will be few surprises between these two clubs having met so recently in the league. There was very little between them on that occasion so it will be interesting to see how things play out when they meet in the cup. Groningen have a poor record at home to Utrecht winning only one of their last six meetings. For both teams it represents a good opportunity to progress into the next round and extending the cup run which is an objective for the two clubs.
It could be that the visitors’ extra firepower is the difference in this one. Utrecht have scored 13 goals more than their opponents in the league and having won on three of their last five visits here, look a good bet to do so again.
