FC Utrecht v NAC Breda
Football: Netherlands: Eredivisie 2010/2011
Sunday, 15th August 2010 - Kickoff 14:30

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FC Utrecht

FC Utrecht had the better chances against Feyenoord in the first half and were leading 1-0 at halftime, but in the second half they collapsed and lost 3-1. They expected more of it, and really anticipated on at least a point.

Utrecht set their goals high and are aiming for a 5th position this season. But in the second half the way they played, it’s gonna be hard to reach their goal. It might have been fatigue after playing their fourth Europa League qualifier on Thursday at Luzern.

They´ll have a hard job qualifying, as they face Celtic in their final qualifier, and might be more ready for this match.

But Utrecht have a sensational playmaker in person of Dries Mertens. He is in topform already being a constant plague for every oppont, and almost all danger comes from him. He is fast and has a great technique and good shot, and playing with a free role he´s pretty hard to defend.

Up front the tandem van Wolfswinkel, who made his debut for the netherlands last wednesday, and Mulenga complement eachother with pace and strength. They have shown how dangerous they can be in their home matches against FK Tirana and Luzern. And even though this might be less opponents, it should be the same story against many Eredivisie teams.

NAC Breda

NAC were lucky with a point in their first match against AZ Alkmaar. AZ controlled almost whole match without creating big chances, but NAC had even less chances. They had a hard time even keep the ball in the team, and it seemed pretty impossible to score the equaliser when trailing 1-0.

Even then AZ had the initiative, and NAC tried it with the long ball. In the 80th minute the ball was brought in and it fell perfect as Amoah finished it.

Even though they fought to a point, NAC does not seem ready to fight for the first nine place. The defence is strong but pretty slow, and the midfielders lack real strength.

Furthermore there are no funds for reinforcements so the squad remains pretty small in quantity. So they might have a problem as defenders Snoyl and Loran and forward Lurling, all starters, stopped training early thursday, and are (major) doubts for sunday.

The Betting Verdict

FC Utrecht have a team that hopes to fight for the fifth place. This might be out of reach, but they won’t finish to far off probably. Dries Mertens is already in top form, and can trouble any defense on his own.

NAC has not the type of defenders to stop Mertens, and flanked by the strikers and a strong Utrecht midfield, they should have too much for NAC.

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take FC Utrecht to win @ 1.80