Ajax vs. Fortuna Sittard – News and Probable Lineups

Ajax will aim to maintain their 26-year unbeaten streak against Fortuna Sittard as they welcome the visitors to the Johan Cruyff Arena on Saturday for the 23rd round of Eredivisie fixtures.

Despite remaining unbeaten in the top flight since November, Fred Grim’s squad has struggled with a number of draws recently, a trend they hope to change against opponents who come into the weekend with only one league win from five in 2026.

Match overview

In January, Ajax had the opportunity to climb to second in the Eredivisie standings but ended up with three draws in four league matches, managing to defeat only FC Volendam 2-0 during that stretch.

Beating Volendam, who had yet to win away from home, was expected from a side that had garnered only five points from 33 available on the road, possibly reducing its significance in Amsterdam.

Since that victory, Grim’s team has seen a rollercoaster of emotions on their travels: De Joden squandered a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 at SBV Excelsior in the 21st round, and they managed to secure a point at AZ Alkmaar thanks to Kian Fitz-Jim’s last-minute equalizer in a match that appeared to be headed for their first league defeat since November’s 2-1 loss in Amsterdam to Excelsior.

Following three consecutive wins over Groningen (2-0), Fortuna (3-1), and Feyenoord (2-0), their early-season struggles were overshadowed by only two additional league victories, with De Joden’s failure to maintain clean sheets affecting their aspirations of finishing in second place.

The only shutout since mid-December’s win over Feyenoord was the triumph against struggling Volendam, with the Amsterdam giants conceding twice in 2-2 draws against NEC, Go Ahead Eagles, and Excelsior, while narrowly defeating Telstar 3-2 at the start of January.

Now looking to convert recent draws into victories, the hosts will be pleased to face an opponent against whom they have historically performed well, seeking to return to winning ways after two league matches without a win, and three winless games across all competitions.

Fortuna heads to Amsterdam on a three-match losing streak against Ajax, having lost by a combined score of 10-1, clearly demonstrating the gap between these two clubs.

A closer look reveals an even greater disparity: FSC has not managed to defeat De Godenzonen in 26 years, with their last triumph occurring in March 2000 with a 2-0 victory. They would need to go back a year earlier for their last win in Amsterdam—a 3-1 success in April 1999.

This historical disadvantage highlights the tough task that awaits the visitors this Saturday, as they arrive without a positive result in 18 meetings with Ajax, having drawn three times in that stretch.

Current form for Danny Buijs’s squad does little to raise expectations in Sittard-Geleen, as fans have seen only one victory in five league matches since the start of 2026.

Compounding their troubles is their inability to keep opponents from scoring, illustrated by FSC’s current streak of failing to record a clean sheet in 10 consecutive Eredivisie matches and 11 across all competitions.

These statistics have hindered the 11th-placed team’s ambitions of clawing back into the top eight, which would ensure a guaranteed spot in the European playoffs — with the Sittard-Geleen team now sitting five points behind Groningen in eighth place, a gap that could widen if the long-standing trend against Ajax continues.

Team News

Wout Weghorst has been unable to secure a spot ahead of Kasper Dolberg since his return from injury, and the formidable Dutch forward may have to settle for a place on the bench this weekend.

While Mika Godts could not find the net in the draw at AZ, the forward—who has scored 10 goals and provided seven assists—remains the primary attacking threat for the home side against FSC.

Most of Godts’s contributions have come away from home, as only four of his six league goals have been scored in Amsterdam; however, he aims to enhance his current total at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

Though Grim has no significant injury concerns, Fortuna’s situation is less favorable, with Mattijs Branderhorst, Daley Sinkgraven (knee), Justin Lonwijk, Jasper Dahlhaus, and Ramazan Bayram (knee) unavailable. Ivo Pinto’s condition will be evaluated, and Luka Tunjic’s participation is uncertain due to illness.

With Lonwijk’s four goals absent for Buijs this weekend, the visitors will rely on Kaj Sierhuis and Mohamed Ihattaren—who have scored eight and four goals respectively—to make an impact in Amsterdam.

Considering that 50% of Sierhuis’s goals have been netted away from Sittard-Geleen, the leading scorer for FSC has demonstrated adaptability in various scenarios, which bodes well ahead of the upcoming encounter with Ajax.

Ajax probable starting XI:

Jaros; Gaaei, Sutalo, Baas, Wijndal; Klaassen, Reeger, Sturgeon; Bounida, Dolberg, Godts

Fortuna Sittard probable starting XI:

Koopmans; Van Ottele, Kasanwirjo, Marquez, Hubner; Michut, Brittijn; Ihattaren, Duijvestijn, Peterson; Ornamental house

The historical disadvantage and Ajax having already won the reverse fixture 3-1 underscore the tough challenge Fortuna faces ahead of this weekend’s match.

While both sides have experienced defensive difficulties, it appears more likely that Grim’s team will emerge with the full points and return to winning form following consecutive draws in the league.