Volendam v Utrecht: survival fight meets play-off push | OneFootball

Volendam host Utrecht in the Eredivisie at Kras Stadion on Sunday, 18 January 2026, with the hosts trying to climb out of the bottom two and the visitors aiming to stay in touch with the European qualification play-off race.

Utrecht have won three of the past five meetings between the sides, including a 3-1 victory in October. Volendam's sole win in that run came in October 2023, while one game finished level.

Form is contrasting. Volendam have lost their past three league matches but did claim a 2-1 cup win at Sparta Rotterdam this week. Utrecht drew four league games in a row before a 2-1 home defeat by PSV and were knocked out of the cup by FC Twente.

Team news points to absences on both sides. Volendam list Henk Veerman, Gibson Osahumen Yah and Anthony Descotte as injured. Utrecht report injuries for David Min, Zidane Iqbal and Emirhan Demircan.

The match-up could hinge on wide supply and aerial strength. Utrecht have delivered open-play crosses at 27.71% accuracy and scored nine headed goals, while Volendam have kept one clean sheet and conceded 32 goals, with 44% average possession. Volendam have been far more productive at home with 12 points, and Utrecht's away return stands at six points with one win on the road.

Volendam sit 17th on 14 points and a win would take them to 17 points, which could move them out of the bottom two. Utrecht are 10th on 23 points. Three points would lift them to 26 and could draw them closer to the qualification play-off places.