VVV Venlo - FC Utrecht
Football : Netherlands : Eredivisie
Saturday, 6th August 2011 - Kickoff 20:45

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VVV Venlo

VVV managed to stay in the top division at the end of last season thanks to beating FC Volendam and FC Zwolle in the play-offs. VVV finished 17th in the regular season, and they will do everything to avoid another year with relegation danger. Wil Boessen is assistant again, after being interim-manager last season when manager Jan van Dijk was fired. Glen de Boeck is the new manager, after he was sacked at Belgian Germinal Beerschot.

A couple of changes in the squad, and it seems those changes are rather positive. They have lost Balász Tóth who was on loan and became a real leader. Also their leading goalscorer Boymans left the club, and left back El Akchaoui returned to Heerenveen after a loan period. Also midfielder Vujicevic was on loan and returned to FC Twente. Goalkeer Begois is playing in the Jupiler League at FC Den Bosch now. So a couple of regulars left, but the way VVV have reacted is rather impressive in my eyes.

They signed a whole new midfield, Barry Maguire of FC Utrecht, Rogier Molhoek of Vitesse and Marcel Meeuwis of Gladbach, after playing half a season at Feyenoord. These guys are decent Eredivisie players, and can bring something extra at a club as VVV. Defender Andrea Mei of Internazionale has agreed the terms of a contract and is available for saturday. They haven’t brought a real replacement for Boymans, and are counting on the forwards already at the club.

Winger Musa is playing for Nigeria -20 and is unavailable for this match. Manager de Boeck has hammered on discipline and had intense training sessions with the squad, preparing them physically to the max. Some results were promising in their friendlies, with victories over Getafe and Aachen, and they should be ready for the start of the eredivisie.

FC Utrecht

FC Utrecht signed Erwin Koeman as new manager, and he got the instruction to fight for the fifth place this season, which is pretty unreal. They lost a half team of starters, including their two key players, Mertens and Strootman. Also striker van Wolfswinkel got a transfer, and those three players gave Utrecht an amount of around 18 million euro’s.

But it turned out to be a struggle finding replacements, as all their Dutch targets rejected an contract offer. Instead they focussed on the Swedish market, and signed defender Nilsson, midfielder Martensson and striker Gerndt. Young Japanese striker Takagi was brought in as prospect for the future.

Only three real additions, and no replacements for right back Cornelisse and midfielder/captain Silberbauer. They are far from ready for a new season, and still looking for additions. Owner van Seumeren doesn’t want to overpay, and is looking for players to sale for profits as the three ealier mentioned players. It’s obvious he’s not only in the club for his love for the club, but looking for valuable investments.

Unfortunately for manager Koeman, there is no sign of any additions soon, while the first match is one day away. Latest news is Utrecht is close to a deal with Swansea for goalkeeper Vorm, who has stated he wants to leave the club as soon as possible. This would be another blow for Utrecht.

The preparation period says it all. Only one victory against a team of regional amateurs, a draw against the amateurs Spakenburg and Greek Ergotelis, and losses against Lierse SK, KV Mechelen and Malaga.

For this match striker Mulenga still misses out with an injury, forward Duplan is not fit yet, winger Tommy Oar is on international Duty with Australia -20, and both strikers Demouge and de Kogel got injured during preparation and are doubtful. Problems enough for this team, and the first weeks are gonna get tough to say the least.

The Betting Verdict

Normally Utrecht would be favoured in this match, and even then they wouldn’t be a huge fav. But in current circumstances I cannot see how they gonna perform with an incomplete squad.

VVV is far from a top team, but they have the guys with the right mentality and are known for putting up a decent fight. A good start is of huge importance, and manager de Boeck has done a great job preparing his team.

In contrast, Utrecht’s preparation was terrible with many players unavailable, and departing players. It has been impossible to build a team, or even play with a team that will look like the starting eleven in september.

I have no doubts Utrecht will strenghten their squad, and will play for the first ten places, but at the moment it’s just waiting for a quality impulse. VVV for me.

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take VVV Venlo +0 AH @ 2.15 Various bookmakers