FC Groningen vs FC Utrecht preview

Netherlands flag 2026/2027 Eredivisie, Netherlands
Euroborg Sun, 9 Aug - 12:30 PM
Eredivisie
FC GroningenGRO
2 1
FC UtrechtUTR
Full Time Sun, 9 Aug 12:30 PM
Round 1 Regular Season
Goal
|
Goal
Adrian Blake - 79'

CONTEXT

FC Groningen hosted FC Utrecht in a match that concluded with a 2-1 home victory after a 1-0 halftime lead. The home side controlled 59 percent of possession while the visitors held 41 percent. Expected goals stood at 1.6 for FC Groningen and 1.54 for FC Utrecht creating a narrow differential of 0.06. Despite FC Utrecht being the stronger rated side the outcome favored the hosts. No red cards were shown to either team throughout the contest. The result proved consistent with underlying metrics and featured no major second half adjustments. This performance highlighted a notable outcome for the home team against pre match assessments.

TL;DR

  • Structural deviation: FC Groningen produced a significant deviation from expectations to claim the win.
  • Efficiency shift: Efficiency levels remained in line with overall performance indicators.
  • xG alignment: The final result stayed consistent with the expected goals distribution.
  • Market alignment: The outcome aligned with available market indicators.
  • xG expectations: Home xG reached 1.6 against 1.54 for the away side.
  • Event impact: Key events shaped the 2-1 scoreline without major disruptions.
  • Red card distortion: No red cards occurred to alter the match dynamics.
No standings statistics available.
No head-to-head records found.
0.5+ goals: 85%
1.5+ goals: 70%
2.5+ goals: 50%
3.5+ goals: 25%
Confidence: High (≥8 matches)

Quality vs Volume

Home: xG 1.8, Shots 12, xG/Shot 0.15
Away: xG 1.5, Shots 14, xG/Shot 0.11

Open Play vs Set Play

Open Play: 65%
Set Play: 35%

Expected Points

TeamxPts
Home1.8
Away1.2
ℹ️ Methodology: Expected Goals (xG) measures shot quality
J. Kooij
J. Kooij
Referee • 25 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 30.4
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 4
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
D. Fikkert
D. Fikkert
1st Assistant • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
H. Kucukerbir
H. Kucukerbir
2nd Assistant • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
J. Kuipers
J. Kuipers
4th Official • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
FC Groningen D. Lukkien
D. Lukkien
VS
FC Utrecht A. Correia
A. Correia
1.31
Avg Points / Game (Last 100 Matches)
2.2
1.17 i
Last 6 Opponents
Ajax Rank: 81 L
Heracles Almelo Rank: 57 W
NEC Nijmegen Rank: 76 W
Excelsior Rank: 67 L
Feyenoord Rank: 82 L
Go Ahead Eagles Rank: 70 D
Avg Points / Game (Last 6 Matches)
2.17 i
Last 6 Opponents
Ajax Rank: 81 D
SC Heerenveen Rank: 73 W
Fortuna Sittard Rank: 66 W
Ajax Rank: 81 W
NAC Breda Rank: 59 W
Excelsior Rank: 67 L
1
Head to Head (Wins - Draws - Losses)
1 - 0 - 3
3

Team Power Ranking

i
What is Power Ranking?
Power ranking is SportMonks' model-based team strength indicator. Historical input capped to 2 seasons.
70.62
75.32
0 (Weakest) 100 (Strongest)
Metric
FC Groningen
FC Utrecht
Power Score
70.62
75.32
League Position
5
12
Global Rank
259
151

Form Analysis Opponent-Weighted

Line chart of recent results (points/trend). Friendlies excluded by default. Hover for opponent, result, xG/xGA and power ranking — based on last 6 matches.

–
vs
FC Groningen — Opponent-weighted form score
FC Utrecht — Opponent-weighted form score
Win (3 pts) Draw (1 pt) Loss (0 pts) FC Groningen FC Utrecht

Heatmaps Ball coordinates

Attack and defence zones from ball position data. Filters: last 6 matches (overall/home/away), time period, competition.

–
vs

FC Groningen

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —

FC Utrecht

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —

Possession Efficiency Possession-Adjusted

How effectively each team uses and defends their share of possession. Efficiency adjusted based on team possession percentage

FC Groningen ⚠ Proxy
vs
⚠ Proxy FC Utrecht
Attacking Efficiency
Higher is better
Attacking Efficiency
30.34
38.66
Defensive Efficiency
Lower is better
Defensive Efficiency
38.66
30.34
Combined Efficiency Index Z-score combining attacking and defensive possession-adjusted efficiency.
Positive = above league average.
Negative = below league average.
Formula: EfficiencyIndex = z(AttackEff) − z(DefenceEff)
-3 0 3
FC Groningen — Efficiency Index
vs
FC Utrecht — Efficiency Index
xG data unavailable for both teams. Values estimated using shots and dangerous attacks (proxy). Confidence: Medium.
FC Groningen
FC Utrecht
AttackEff = xG ÷ pos
DefenceEff = xGA ÷ (1−pos)

Set Pieces Efficiency Attack & Defence

Set-piece reliance and strength using expected metrics and actual outcomes for each team.

FC Groningen
vs
FC Utrecht
Created Set-piece attacking threat
FC Groningen FC Utrecht
Set-piece xG Share Share of total expected goals generated from set pieces. Higher = more set-piece reliant in attack.
6%
9%
Goals per Match Average set-piece goals scored per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xG) Goals scored minus set-piece xG. Positive = overperforming; Negative = underperforming expectations.
-0.10 vs -0.14
Conceded Set-piece defensive exposure
FC Groningen FC Utrecht
Set-piece xGA Share Share of total expected goals conceded from set pieces. Higher = more exposed to set pieces defensively.
9%
6%
Conceded per Match Average set-piece goals conceded per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xGA) Goals conceded minus set-piece xGA. Positive = conceding more than expected (bad); Negative = conceding less than expected (good).
-0.14 vs -0.10
FC Groningen
FC Utrecht
xG Share = set-piece xG ÷ total xG
vs Expected = goals − set-piece xG

Counter / Transition Attack & Defence

What happens in the 15 seconds immediately after possession changes hands — based on Last 6 matches.

–
FC Groningen
vs
FC Utrecht
Attack After Winning Possession transition → offence
FC Groningen FC Utrecht
Goals per Match Average goals scored within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Shots per Match Average shots taken within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Average dangerous attacks launched within 15s of winning possession per match. ↑ better
—
—
Transition Efficiency Index Composite score (0–1) of how efficiently this team attacks within 15s of winning the ball. Higher = more dangerous on transition. Higher = stronger on the counter
FC Groningen 0.42
FC Utrecht 0.38
Defence After Losing Possession loss → defensive exposure
FC Groningen FC Utrecht
Goals Conceded Average goals conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Shots Conceded Average shots conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Conceded Average dangerous attacks allowed within 15s of losing possession per match. ↓ better
—
—
Vulnerability Index Composite score (0–1) of how exposed this team is within 15s of losing the ball. Lower = better at preventing transition attacks. Lower = better transition defence
FC Groningen 0.03
FC Utrecht 0.05
FC Groningen
FC Utrecht
Window = 15s post-possession change
Index = 0–1 composite score

PRESSURE INDEX

Momentum phases from smoothed minute-by-minute pressure.

  • UTR had peak pressure around 68'.
  • UTR started the game with stronger pressure.
GRO Pressure UTR Pressure
⚡
Pressure Index: UTR reached the top pressure at 68' (100.00).

Team Head to Head Last 6 Seasons

Summary of 4 matches between these sides — filtered by competition and venue context.

FC Groningen GRO Home
4 matches
FC Utrecht UTR Away
Match Record
1
Wins
3
0
Draws
0
3
Losses
1
Goals
3
Goals Scored
6
6
Goals Conceded
3
-3
Goal Difference
+3
Expected Goals
0
xG
0
0
xGA
0

Data last updated: 2026-08-10T07:45:04+00:00

STARTING XI

Match Formation 4-2-3-1
Match Formation 4-3-3
Pitch

General Information

Date & Time
Aug 09, 2026, 12:30 PM
Competition
2026/2027 Eredivisie, Netherlands · Round 1 · Regular Season
Stadium
Euroborg
Capacity
22525
Attendance
22525
Pitch Surface
Grass
Weather
☀️ 12°C, Fair
Referees
Joey Kooij
Dyon Fikkert
Halis Murat Kucukerbir
Joshua Kuipers

Statistics

Possession
GRO
56%
UTR
44%

Top Statistics

2 Goals 1
2 Big Chances Created 5
4 Shots 7
38 Dangerous attacks 37
59 Possession 41
5 Corners 1
17 Free kicks 12
0 Yellow Cards 2

Match Overview

85 Ball Safe 79
7 Goal Kicks 9
7 Goal Attempts 11
4 Substitutions 5
18 Throwins 20
1 Hit Woodwork 0
18 Successful Headers 20
0 Assists 1
16 Dribble Attempts 12
7 Successful Dribbles 5
44 Successful Dribbles Percentage 42

Attacking

107 Attacks 67
1 Big Chances Missed 4

Possession

80 Long Passes 58
449 Passes 306
365 Successful Passes 225
81 Successful Passes Percentage 74
12 Key Passes 14
39 Successful Long Passes 20
49 Successful Long Passes Percentage 34

Defensive

6 Saves 3
13 Tackles 17
5 Interceptions 11
52 Duels Won 52

Build-up

14 Total Crosses 17
2 Accurate Crosses 9

Discipline

1 Offsides 4
12 Fouls 17

Lineup

Referee : Joey Kooij

Starting XI ▼

1
Etienne Vaessen
Etienne Vaessen Goalkeeper
8.26
2
Wouter Prins
Wouter Prins Defender
6.35
29
Tyrique Mercera
Tyrique Mercera
Defender71'
6.21
3
Thijmen Blokzijl
Thijmen Blokzijl (C) Defender
6.87
5
Marco Rente
Marco Rente Defender
6.59
15
Elvis van der Laan
Elvis van der Laan
Defender30'
6.42
14
Jorg Schreuders
Jorg Schreuders Defender
6.58
8
Tika de Jonge
Tika de Jonge Midfielder
6.36
17
David van der Werff
David van der Werff Midfielder
7.82
18
Tygo Land
Tygo Land Midfielder
7.17
24
Pelle Clement
Pelle Clement Midfielder
6.47
34
Ryan Metu
Ryan Metu
Attacker81'
6.54
26
Thom van Bergen
Thom van Bergen Midfielder
8
9
Brynjólfur Willumsson
Brynjólfur Willumsson Attacker
7.73
7
Travis Hernes
Travis Hernes
Midfielder81'
6.66
Referee : Joey Kooij

Starting XI ▼

25
Michael Brouwer
Michael Brouwer Goalkeeper
6.84
2
Siebe Horemans
Siebe Horemans Defender
6.62
6
Guus Offerhaus
Guus Offerhaus
Defender70'
6.85
23
Niklas Vesterlund
Niklas Vesterlund Defender
7.12
44
Mike Eerdhuijzen
Mike Eerdhuijzen Defender
6.65
92
Arthur Zagré
Arthur Zagré Defender
7.17
8
Joris van Overeem
Joris van Overeem (C) Midfielder
6.7
20
Dani de Wit
Dani de Wit Midfielder
6.64
53
Ferdinand Pohl
Ferdinand Pohl Midfielder
6.48
34
Davy van den Berg
Davy van den Berg
Midfielder62'
7.11
9
David Min
David Min Attacker
6.62
14
Zidane Iqbal
Zidane Iqbal
Midfielder62'
6.85
10
Yoann Cathline
Yoann Cathline Attacker
6.49
15
Adrian Blake
Adrian Blake
Attacker62'
7.08
11
Ángel Alarcón
Ángel Alarcón Attacker
5.77
30
Kevin Paredes
Kevin Paredes
Midfielder84'
6.62

Events

2ND-HALF
88'
Event
Joris van Overeem
Foul / 2nd Yellowcard
84'
Event
Kevin Paredes → Ángel Alarcón
9th Substitution
84'
Event
Dani de Wit
Roughing / 1st Yellowcard
Event
Travis Hernes → Brynjólfur Willumsson
7th Substitution
81'
Event
Ryan Metu → Pelle Clement
8th Substitution
81'
79'
Event
Adrian Blake
Right foot shot / 3rd Goal
Event
Tyrique Mercera → Wouter Prins
6th Substitution
71'
70'
Event
Guus Offerhaus → Siebe Horemans
5th Substitution
62'
Event
Davy van den Berg → Ferdinand Pohl
2nd Substitution
62'
Event
Adrian Blake → Yoann Cathline
3rd Substitution
62'
Event
Zidane Iqbal → David Min
4th Substitution
Event
Thom van Bergen
Left foot shot / 2nd Goal
48'
1ST-HALF
Event
Brynjólfur Willumsson
Goal disallowed
35'
Event
Elvis van der Laan → Marco Rente
1st Substitution
30'
Event
Brynjólfur Willumsson
Right foot shot / 1st Goal
8'

Match Commentary

90
Attempt Attempt
Mike Eerdhuijzen attempts a header but misses the shot.
90
Attempt Attempt
Adrian Blake takes a right-footed shot but misses.
90
Attempt Attempt
Kevin Paredes takes a left-footed shot but misses.
88
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card issued to Joris van Overeem.
84
Update Update
Kevin Paredes is on, and Angel Alarcon is off.
84
Attempt Attempt
Thom van Bergen takes a left-footed shot but misses.
84
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Dani De Wit receives a yellow card.
84
Update Update
Offside.
83
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
82
Attempt Attempt
Mike Eerdhuijzen takes a left-footed shot but misses.
82
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
81
Attempt Attempt
Ryan Metu takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
81
Update Update
On comes Ryan Metu, off goes Pelle Clement.
81
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
80
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Adrian Blake takes a shot with his right foot and scores.
79
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Adrian Blake scores to make it 2-1, assisted by Davy van den Berg.
77
Update Update
Offside.
77
Update Update
Offside.
77
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! The score is now 2-1.
76
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! The score is now 2-1.
75
Attempt Attempt
Jorg Schreuders takes a shot with his right foot but misses.
74
Attempt Attempt
David van der Werff takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
73
Attempt Attempt
Thom van Bergen takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
71
Update Update
Tyrique Mercera is on, and Wouter Prins is off.
70
Substitution Substitution
Substitution: Guus Offerhaus comes on for Siebe Horemans.
65
Attempt Attempt
Angel Alarcon's header is saved.
64
Attempt Attempt
Thom van Bergen takes a right-footed shot but misses.
63
Attempt Attempt
Angel Alarcon takes a shot with his right foot, but it misses the target.
62
Substitution Substitution
Substitution: Adrian Blake comes on for Yoann Cathline.
62
Update Update
Zidane Iqbal comes on for David Mina.
62
Update Update
Davy van den Berg is on, and Ferdinand Pohl is off.
61
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
60
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
59
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
58
Attempt Attempt
David van der Werff takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
56
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
55
Attempt Attempt
Brynjolfur Darri Willumsson takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
55
Attempt Attempt
Shot by Brynjolfur Darri Willumsson with his right foot, but it's saved.
48
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Thom van Bergen scores with a left-footed shot.
48
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! The score is now 2-0.
45
Attempt Attempt
Dani De Wit takes a shot with his head, but it's saved.
41
Attempt Attempt
Wouter Prins takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
40
Update Update
Offside.
40
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! The score is now 1-1.
36
Attempt Attempt
Dani De Wit takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
34
Attempt Attempt
Tika de Jonge takes a right-footed shot that hits the post.
34
Update Update
Offside.
34
GOAL! GOAL! Important
VAR decision: Goal disallowed for offside against Brynjolfur Darri Willumsson.
34
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Brynjolfur Darri Willumsson scores, making it 2-0.
30
Substitution Substitution
Substitution: Elvis van der Laan comes on for Marco Rente.
29
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
28
Attempt Attempt
Thom van Bergen takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
26
Attempt Attempt
Niklas Brondsted Vesterlund Nielsen takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
26
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
13
Attempt Attempt
Shot by Brynjolfur Darri Willumsson with his right foot, but it is saved.
8
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Shot by Brynjolfur Darri Willumsson with his right foot results in a goal.
8
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Brynjolfur Darri Willumsson scores to make it 1-0.
6
Attempt Attempt
Yoann Cathline takes a right-footed shot but misses.
5
Attempt Attempt
Wouter Prins takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
1
Update Update
Offside.
1
Update Update
Kick-off! The referee is Joey Kooij.

CONCLUSION

FC Groningen secured a 2-1 win over FC Utrecht through effective use of their 59 percent possession share and a narrow xG edge. The halftime advantage of 1-0 set a platform that the home side maintained despite the visitors being viewed as stronger beforehand. With no red cards present the contest unfolded without numerical imbalances and the result matched the expected goals closely. This outcome reflected solid execution from FC Groningen in a game defined by small margins. The performance underscored how possession control and timely scoring can overcome pre match team strength perceptions. Overall the match delivered a result aligned with statistical indicators while highlighting the home side's ability to capitalize on limited opportunities.