The regular season in the Dutch Eredivisie has long been concluded be we still have to decide which team will enter the Europa League next season. The second leg of the Europa League playoff final will take place on Tuesday 28th May between Vitesse Arnhem and Utrecht.
Both teams have come through a semi-final and the first leg of the final ended 1-1 at the home of Utrecht. Therefore, we are left with just one game to decide who will represent the Eredivisie in the Europa League.
Vitesse Arnhem lost the first leg of their semi-final at Groningen 2-1 but won the home leg of the tie 3-1 to progress to this final. It is their home form which has kept them in contention for much of the season and trend show Vitesse Arnhem have remained undefeated in their last sixteen home Eredivisie games.
There have been ten wins in those sixteen matches including each of the last three. Scoring goals has not been a problem and Vitesse Arnhem have netted 13 times in their last three home games.
Vitesse Arnhem have scored 2 or more goals in thirteen of their last fifteen home league matches. However, clean sheets have not always been easy to come by and Vitesse Arnhem have seen both teams score in each of their last fourteen home Eredivisie games.
Utrecht finished one place below the hosts in their regular league season on goal difference having won the same number of points. They defeated Heracles in the semi-final of the Europa League playoffs, winning both the home and away legs of the tie.
Trends show Utrecht have won three of their last four games, with the draw at home to Vitesse Arnhem in the first leg of the final being the match they failed to win.
Utrecht have lost three of their last four away games, two of which have been heavy losses at ADO Den Haag and Ajax. They do not draw many away matches with each of their last fourteen ending in either a win or loss.
Utrecht have conceded 2 or more goals in four of their last five away matches.
Looking ahead to the team news and Vitesse Arnhem could without Charly Musonda and Jake Clarke-Salter, both of whom are on loan from Chelsea. Forward Hilary Gong is also likely to miss the game due to injury.
Utrecht will be without Othman Boussaid as the midfielder has a broken foot. He is the only major injury concern for the visitors.
This could be a high scoring games and expect to see Vitesse Arnhem score at least 2 goals. Utrecht could also get on the scoresheet but the hosts should come through with both teams scoring.