**Utrecht's wobbling at home, but NEC rolls in hungry** — this is a **historical edge to the hosts**, though form says otherwise. 🔴

Utrecht's 2W-2L stretch is nervy; they just got hammered 4-2 at Telstar. NEC, meanwhile, are clicking—two wins in their last five and a draw-heavy record that suggests they know how to grind. The visitors are missing four players, but that hasn't stopped them lately.

Key storylines:

- **FC Utrecht** need to tighten up at Galgenwaard after that blowout loss; home record is crucial
- **NEC's depth** will be tested without **B. Nuytinck** and company, but they've shown resilience
- **A. Stepanov** and **B. Linssen** will battle for attacking momentum in a midfield-heavy affair

Expected lineups:

- **FC Utrecht**: V. Barkas, D. De Wit, M. Didden, A. Zagre, S. Horemans, J. Overeem, Y. Cathline, A. Stepanov, N. Vesterlund
- **NEC Nijmegen**: G. Crettaz, A. Kaplan, T. Storm, P. Schuurs, G. Brás, C. Bischoff, K. Kers, N. Lebreton, B. Linssen, T. Chery

Prediction:

**2-1 FC Utrecht**. Home edge + NEC's injury pile should tip it, but expect scrappy—not pretty. 🤐