Jan Wouters’ side will face a stern test against the in-form Eindhoven giants, and would be content with a draw, while d**k Advocaat’s men will be looking to keep their winning streak intact.
In the fifth round of the Dutch top flight football, FC Utrecht will lock horns against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/PSV-c40281 Eindhoven at Galgenwaard Stadion on Sunday, September 16.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Utrecht-c39237
The Utreg are heading into the game on the back of a hard fought 1-1 stalemate against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/NAC-Breda-c39983 at Rat Verlegh Stadion on September 1.
The home side dominated proceedings right from the kick-off, and took the lead early in the game through http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alex-c4752 Schalk. However, Alexander Gerndt’s strike in the 73rd minute restored parity. Both sides tried to score the
winner, but the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
FC Utrecht have commenced the 2012/13 campaign erratically. Occupying the ninth spot on the league table, the outfit from Utrecht have an overall record of 5 played, 1 won, 3 drawn and 1 lost.
Jan Wouters, the Utreg head coach, has urged his troops to put in their 100 percent in the upcoming clash against one of the strongest sides in the Dutch top tier if they are to secure a good result.
PSV Eindhoven
The Boeren are brimming with confidence following their impressive performances thus far in the league as well as in Europe. Heading into the match on the back of a crushing 5-1 victory over http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/AZ-c38571 Alkmaar on September 2 before the
international break, the Eindhoven giants would be keen to resume league action in the same manner.
PSV are currently sitting at the third spot on the league table, and apart from their hiccup against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/RKC-Waalwijk-c40370, losing 3-2 at Mandemakers Stadion in their 2012/13 season’s opener, they have performed outstandingly. They have
an overall record of 4 played, 3 won and 1 lost.
d**k Advocaat, the Eindhoven-based club’s boss, has admitted that it will not be an easy task to emerge victorious against FC Utrecht at Galgenwaard Stadion. However, the Dutch trainer has expressed confidence that his side will
secure a good result.
“FC Utrecht are always a tough opponent. They’re rebuilding their team, which obviously takes time. They will eventually get back on their feet, but let’s hope that won’t happen on Sunday. We have a strong squad and we should radiate
that. I think this team can only get better. You can always have a bad day, but what happened against RKC – where we deservedly lost – should never happen. The lads are fully aware of this”, Advocaat was quoted as saying to the PSV’s official website.
Head-to-Head statistics
PSV have emerged victorious in four of their last five meetings against the Utreg, while the remaining game ended in a stalemate.
Players to watch
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alexander-Gerndt-c4831 – FC Utrecht
The 26-year-old, who has thus far scored two goals in four games, netted the equaliser to help his side in bagging a point in their last league match against NAC, and would be keen to add more to his tally in the upcoming clash.
Tim Matavz – PSV Eindhoven
The Slovenian ace has kicked-off the 2012/13 campaign in style. Already netting three goals while setting up one more in four appearances, the 23-year-old has played a vital role in helping his side secure maximum points.
Prediction
FC Utrecht’s recent form coupled with their showings against the Boeren puts the visiting side the clear favourites to emerge victorious.
Predicted score-line: FC Utrecht 1-4 PSV.
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