FC Volendam's attempt to push out of the Eredivisie relegation zone will continue on Saturday when they host Fortuna Sittard.
The visitors are currently sat in mid-table, but a defeat this weekend could drag them down as the gap between the teams would shrink to only five points.
Match preview
With only three wins in 18 games, Volendam's second season back in the Eredivisie has proven to be a difficult one so far and has left the club in 17th place heading into this fixture.
After avoiding a place in the relegation playoffs during their first year back in the top flight during the 2022-23 campaign, fans had presumed that the team would kick on this time, but that has not been the case.
Second-season syndrome can be tricky for teams as they look to adapt, and with only goal difference keeping them off the foot of the table there is certainly a lot of room for improvement.
That is something that Regillio Simons's men have showcased lately; having only lost two of their previous six matches it is clear that Volendam are putting in the work to try and push away from the relegation zone.
Having conceded 42 times already, defensive work is needed as no team has let in more goals in the Eredivisie, and Saturday's opponents could be the ideal team to start that journey against.
That is because only bottom-placed Vitesse have scored fewer times than Sittard this season, an area that the visitors will attempt to improve upon as the season progresses.
However, they had no problem finding the back of the net in the reverse fixture earlier this season as Sittard walked away with a 3-1 win following goals from Oguzhan Ozyakup, Tijjani Noslin and Alen Halilovic.
Repeating that performance would be welcomed at the moment for Sittard following three consecutive matches without a win in the Eredivisie, a run which has led to them dropping down the table.
While there are only five points between them and a place in the top eight at the moment, Danny Buijs will not want to look over his shoulder at the pressure mounting from those below.
However, after a victory in the KNVB Cup against Almere City was followed up by a goalless draw when facing the same team in midweek there is some momentum starting to build back up for Sittard.
Team News
The hosts have a couple of injury concerns heading into this game as Joey Antonioli remains a long-term absentee due to a knee issue he sustained back in October.
He is joined by Koen Blommestijn on the shelf, while Lequincio Zeefuik should be leading the line as he looks to add to his three-goal tally already this season after finding the back of the net last weekend.
The visitors will be unlikely to alter the back five that started in midweek after keeping a clean sheet, with the extra numbers providing further protection.
However, they will continue to be without Deroy Duarte who is representing Cape Verde at the ongoing Africa Cup Of Nations.
FC Volendam possible starting lineup:
Backhaus; Mbuyamba, Benamar, Mirani; Buur, De Haan, Twigt, Booth, Cox; Ould-Chikh, Zeefuik
Fortuna Sittard possible starting lineup:
Verrips; Pinto, Siovas, Guth, Dijks, Ferati; Rosier Oratmangoen, Cordoba, Griffith; Sierhuis
We say: FC Volendam 1-1 Fortuna Sittard
On paper, the visitors will be the favourites to take all three points due to their superior league position, but the recent form of these two teams does provide a different outlook.
Volendam are in desperate need of points right now, and with stronger performances as of late and that added desire and hunger they might be able to squeeze a point.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
