Utrecht v Sparta Rotterdam: top-half push meets play-off ambitions | OneFootball

Utrecht host Sparta Rotterdam in the Eredivisie at Stadion Galgenwaard on Sunday, 25 January 2026, with the hosts aiming to halt a four-match losing run and the visitors looking to firm up their place in the qualification play-off picture.

Sparta Rotterdam won the reverse fixture 2-1 in August 2025. Utrecht, 10th in the table, now face a side sitting eighth and already in the play-off positions.

Form points to contrast. Utrecht have lost to Volendam and PSV in the league and also fell in Europe and the cup. Sparta have won three league games on the spin, including a 4-3 derby victory at Feyenoord.

Utrecht list Victor Jensen, David Min, Zidane Iqbal, Emirhan Demircan and Mees Eppink as injured. Sparta are without Vito van Crooy.

Routes to goal could be clear. Utrecht have scored 29 league goals and are strong in the air with nine headed goals, fuelled by a high volume of open-play crosses at 27.94% accuracy, while Souffian El Karouani leads the division with nine assists. Sparta have 24 league goals, with Tobias Lauritsen on nine this season, seven clean sheets and five away wins, so the visitors may back their front line and road form.

A home win would move Utrecht to 26 points and could lift them towards the top half. Victory for Sparta would take them to 32 points and strengthen their hold on the qualification play-off places.