Verdict: Utrecht win
Best Odds: 4/7
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Looking to finish off the job and extend on their Europa League qualifying adventure, Utrecht will welcome Servette to the Stadion Galgenwaard for their second-leg showdown.
Utrecht
Starting with the hosts, mounting a stellar second-half comeback away in Switzerland last week as they eventually stormed their way to a 3-1 victory, Utrecht will be looking to lay down another marker on Thursday night. Sat firmly in the pole position when they return to the Stadion Galgenwaard in midweek, Ron Jans’ men are enjoying what has become a real purple patch. Picking up some perfect momentum last weekend as they opened the 2025/26 Eredivisie campaign with a 4-0 romp at home against Heracles, the former Twente boss will be dreaming of a repeat performance here. Losing just one of their final eight domestic appearances last season and continuing on from where they left off prior to the summer break, Utrecht will be smelling another golden opportunity on Thursday.
Utrecht Team News
Both still dealing with respective long-term knee injuries, Utrecht will once again be without the duo of Rafik El Arguioui and Iraq international Zidane Iqbal on Thursday night. One-time Swansea defender Mike van Der Hoorn will start at the heart of Jans’ defence.
Opening his Eredivisie account against Heracles last weekend, David Min should keep his spot leading the line here. Finding the net in three of his four appearances since opening up the new campaign, Victor Jensen will play a leading role at the Stadion Galgenwaard.
Servette
As for the visitors, suffering a worrying collapse at home against Utrecht last week as they fell to that 3-1 defeat in Geneva, Servette are in the midst of what has been a real rut. Facing a major uphill battle when they travel over to the Netherlands on Thursday night, the Maroons have rightfully come under some serious scrutiny. Watching their Champions League dreams come to an end last month as they slumped to a 3-2 aggregate defeat against Plzen, Les Grenats have gained a reputation for their glaring defensive struggles. Getting August underway with a woeful 4-1 drumming at home against domestic rivals St. Gallen, Thursday’s guests have shipped 14 goals on their five-match winless rut.
Servette Team News
Yet to make a single appearance this season, one-time Clermont midfielder David Douline remains on the sidelines with a long-term knee injury. However, summer recruit Samuel Mraz could return to Servette’s travelling squad on Thursday night.
Coming off the bench and notching a late equaliser at home against Grasshoppers last weekend, former St. Etienne midfielder Lamine Fomba will be handed a full recall. Make his move from Italian outfit Salernitana this summer, Dylan Bronn will start at the heart of Servette’s defence.
Utrecht vs Servette Key Factors to Consider
- When Utrecht and Servette met for their first-leg showdown last week, Thursday’s hosts collected a 3-1 victory in Geneva.
- Getting the 205/26 Eredivisie campaign underway with a 4-0 romp against HerHeracles last weekend, Utrecht have won their first four matchups across all competitions this season by an aggregate score of 14-3.
- Along with failing to win any of their last five consecutive outings, Servette have shipped 14 goals.
- Utrecht registered 10 points from their final four Eredivisie matchups at the Stadion Galgenwaard last season.
- Servette have registered just a single competitive clean sheet outside of Geneva since the end of March.
Conclusion
Mounting that sensational second-half comeback in Geneva last week, Utrecht are sat firmly in the driving seat when they return to the Stadion Galgenwaard on Thursday night. Enjoying what has become a real purple patch since opening up the 2025/26 campaign, Jans’ men will be looking to extend on their Europa League qualifying adventure with another statement. Really impressing with their clinical performances in the final third, we are backing an enjoyable home victory here.
Verdict: Utrecht win
Best Odds: 4/7
Bookmaker: Dachbet
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