ERIK SAYS :

FC Utrecht v VVV Venlo
Football: Netherlands, Eredivisie 2009/2010
Sunday, 16 August 2009 - Kickoff 14:30 CET

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FC Utrecht

FC Utrecht booked their second win on Sunday beating Willem II 1- 0 at home. Other than the score line would suggest the victory was a relatively easy one with the hosts being in control the biggest part of the game preventing Willem II from getting real dangerous.

The hosts opened the score six minutes from halftime where FC Utrecht should have scored at least two times before with Mulenga (att) being a real threat with corner kicks and high balls into the penalty area.

In the second half FC Utrecht gave away the initiative of the game a little to Willem II but the visitors did not manage to put any pressure on FC Utrecht who secured an easy win to climb to the second place in the ranking.

FC Utrecht will host VVV Venlo on Sunday and the team will most likely be without Schut (def), Keller (def) and Silberbauer (mid).

VVV Venlo

VVV Venlo booked a 2-2 draw against ADO Den Haag last Sunday in a game filled with yellow and red cards.

ADO Den Haag grabbed a 0-2 lead halfway the second half but a goal from Honda (mid) brought the hosts back in the game. In the second half the game exploded after the red card of Soltani (ADO) and a questionable equalizer from Honda (mid) ten minutes later.

The midfielder headed the ball onto the goal but it remained unclear whether the ball passed the goal line or not, leading to a lot of frustrations at the side of the visitors.

After the 2-2 draw at home to ADO Den Haag and 3-3 draw on the road to PSV, VVV Venlo is on the tenth place in the ranking and the team will be traveling to FC Utrecht on Sunday.

Timisela (def) will be doubtful after picking up a leg injury but apart from the defender VVV Venlo will be able to line-up their strongest selection.

The Betting Verdict

Taking a look at the quality of both teams we can see that FC Utrecht has improved much over the summer with the signing of Mertens (att), Van Wolfswinkel (att) and Mulenga (att).

With the greatest of ease FC Utrecht creates chances and if these chances can be translated into goals with a little more accuracy the hosts should be able to win this game.

VVV Venlo surprised with the 3-3 against PSV two weeks ago, but a team that manages to neutralize Honda (mid) on the midfield should be able to book a comfortable win.

However, the odds seem about right and therefore I will take my chances on the goal scorer market taking Mulenga (att) and Honda (mid) to find the net at tasty odds.

Mulenga (att) was given a few free headers on goal in the game against Willem II and it could be called a small miracle for the new signing not to find the net.

In case VVV Venlo manages to score against FC Utrecht, Honda (mid) will be the most likely candidate to do so and after banging in three goals in his last two games.

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Mulenga to score anytime $3.00 (2/10) (Unibet)
Honda to score anytime $3.75 (1/10) (Unibet)