Fortuna Sittard's European dreams could be at stake when they take on PEC Zwolle at Fortuna Sittard Stadion as part of Sunday's Eredivisie action.
The hosts are still waiting for their first win of 2025, while the visitors will be looking to record back-to-back victories for the first time this season.
Match preview
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Danny Buijs's Fortuna have lost three of their last four competitive fixtures, and last recorded a victory before Christmas when they impressively beat Champions League-chasing Utrecht 5-2 on the road.
In the Eredivisie, the Fortunezen have recorded two wins, two draws and two losses from their six most recent games, and this inconsistency has put their position in the top eight at risk.
Buijs's side are now level on points with ninth-placed NAC Breda and within two points of Heerenveen, NEC Nijmegen and Willem II, meaning that avoiding defeat at the very least is imperative this weekend.
Most recently, Fortuna were thoroughly beaten 4-1 by NEC in the league, a match in which they drew level when Rosier Loreintz scored in the 39th minute but were unable to respond to three second-half goals.
More positively, Sunday's hosts have won four of their last six home matches in the Eredivisie, and will take confidence from the support of their own crowd as they look to stave off competition and get back to winning ways.
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Meanwhile, Johnny Jansen's Zwolle will be up for the challenge on Sunday, having beaten top-of-the-table PSV Eindhoven last time out.
This weekend's visitors were never behind in that match, and a brace from Filip Krastev, followed by a late sealer from loanee forward Dylan Vente, gave them all three points in a commendable 3-1 victory.
De Blauwvingers are currently 13th in the league, and the 20 points they have earned from their 19 games so far has placed them just five points behind their opponents.
Another victory against Fortuna would not only take Jansen's side to within two points of the European places, but could draw them nine points clear of Sparta Rotterdam in the relegation playoff spot if results elsewhere prove favourable.
However, this may be exceptionally difficult for the visitors considering that Zwolle have not won any of their away games in the league this season, and have in fact failed to win any of their last 16 on the road in the top flight, a stretch that goes back to February 2024.
Team News
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Fortuna will be without midfielder Ryan Fosso this weekend due to suspension, so expect Syb van Ottele to start alongside Rosier Loreintz in the centre of the park.
Between the posts, first-choice goalkeeper Mattijs Branderhorst missed the game against NEC, so Luuk Koopmans should be in the XI once again this weekend.
Elsewhere, there are doubts about the fitness of forwards Onur Demir and Kaj Sierhuis, though Alen Halilovic and Kristoffer Peterson are likely to be picked by Buijs to support striker Alessio Da Cruz.
Zwolle have been dealing with a number of absentees recently, though forward Younes Namil could make trip, as could goalkeeper Jasper Schendelaar, who has been ill.
The visitors also have doubts about the fitness of defenders Tristan Goojier and Sherel Floranus, as well as goalkeeper Duke Verduin.
If they are unavailable, anticipate a defence featuring Eliano Reijnders, Simon Graves Jensen, Anselmo Garcia McNulty and Damian van der Haar to line up in front of Mike Hauptmeijer on Sunday.
Additionally, Anouar El Azzouzi was withdrawn late on with an injury against PSV, though he could be ready to start this weekend.
Fortuna Sittard possible starting lineup:
Koopmans; Pinto, Adewoye, Grujcic, Dahlhaus; Ottele, Loreintz; Halilovic, Bastien, Peterson; Cruz
PEC Zwolle possible starting lineup:
Hauptmeijer; Reijnders, Jensen, McNulty, Van der Haar; Azzouzi, Van den Berg; Mbayo, Monteiro, Filip; Vente
We say: Fortuna Sittard 1-1 PEC Zwolle
Fortuna have started 2025 in poor form, and will be desperate to avoid a third competitive defeat in a row that could put their hopes of qualifying for European competition at risk.
However, Zwolle will be full of confidence after their impressive win last time out, and though they have struggled on the road this season, they could pick up a point on Sunday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
