Groningen v Utrecht: play-off mix meets top-half push | OneFootball

Eighth-placed Groningen host 10th-placed Utrecht in the Eredivisie at the Euroborg on 14 February 2026, with the hosts protecting a qualification play-off berth and the visitors aiming to close in on the pack.

Utrecht won the reverse fixture 1-0 in September 2025 and have taken two victories from their last three league trips to Groningen, pointing to a competitive away record in this match-up.

Form is contrasting. Groningen have one win in their last five league games, a 2-0 success at Heerenveen, alongside a draw with NAC Breda and defeats to Fortuna Sittard, Sparta Rotterdam and PSV. Utrecht ended a four-game league run without a win by beating NEC Nijmegen 3-1 away after a home loss to Feyenoord and a draw at Heerenveen.

Both teams have absentees. Groningen are without midfielders Mats Seuntjens, Tika de Jonge, Jismerai Dillema and Yénio Holder. Utrecht list Sebastian Haller, Victor Jensen, Mike Eerdhuijzen, David Min, Zidane Iqbal and Mees Eppink as injured.

The visitors' route may run wide. Utrecht have 10 headed league goals and deliver with 26.30% cross accuracy, while Groningen have three headed goals. Souffian El Karouani has supplied 10 assists, and his service could test a defence that prefers control in possession, with Groningen averaging 51% of the ball and 80.18% pass accuracy. Brynjolfur Willumsson leads the hosts with six league goals, while Stije Resink has five assists.

A win would move Groningen to 34 points and could tighten their grip on the play-off places. Utrecht would reach 30 with victory and may edge closer to the qualification play-off spots.