AZ vs Sittard – News and Probable Lineups

On Saturday afternoon, AZ Alkmaar will welcome Fortuna Sittard, seeking a crucial victory to keep them in close range of the top five in the Eredivisie standings.

At the same time, the visitors are aiming to reinstate themselves in the race for the European playoff positions with a win at AFAS Stadion.

Match overview

Though AZ Alkmaar has upcoming fixtures in the Conference League quarter-finals and the KNVB Beker final, they cannot afford to slack in the Eredivisie.

Under caretaker head coach Lee-Roy Echteld, who has secured nine victories in 15 matches across all competitions, AZ has faced three defeats in their last four league matches.

After setbacks against FC Utrecht and PSV Eindhoven, AZ managed a comfortable 4-0 win against the bottom-placed Heracles.

However, before the March international break, they experienced a 3-0 loss to Groningen.

While the team has three consecutive away losses, they have gathered seven points from home fixtures against Ajax, Sparta Rotterdam, and Heracles.

Meanwhile, Fortuna Sittard continues to remain competitive in their pursuit of the European playoffs, currently trailing eighth place by six points.

Nonetheless, Danny Buijs is aware that a victory this weekend would narrow the gap to their sixth-placed rivals to just four points.

Despite having lost two of their last three matches, they can take a positive view on securing nine points from a possible 15 since February 20.

Additionally, Fortuna Sittard has won their last two away fixtures, overcoming NEC Nijmegen and FC Volendam.

In their final outing before the international break, Fortuna Sittard suffered a 2-1 home loss to FC Twente. This match marked the 13th consecutive game in which they have scored and conceded.

Team News

AZ is anticipated to still be without Mateo Chavez, Seiya Maikuma, Jordy Clasie, and Jizz Hornkamp.

Elijah Dijkstra and Billy van Duijl could both be options to bolster the AZ defence following their second-half introductions against Groningen.

Representatives from the international squad, including Troy Parrott, who has netted 14 goals this season, will be assessed in the days leading up to the match.

Fortuna Sittard is also facing absences of key players like Mattijs Branderhorst and Mohamed Ihattaren.

Ivan Marquez may return to join the defence, possibly replacing Shawn Adewoye.

Kaj Sierhuis, who has scored 10 goals in the Eredivisie this season, might also be favored over Paul Gladon in the attack.

AZ Alkmaar probable starting XI:

Sweet; Dijkstra, Goes, Van Duijl, De Wit; Koopmeiners, Smit; Jensen, Mijnans, Daal; Parrott

Fortuna Sittard probable starting XI:

Koopmans; Pinto, Marquez, Kasanwirjo, Dahlhaus; Brittijn, Michut; Limnios, Duijvestijn, Tunjic; Ornamental house

With both sides having lost two of their last three fixtures, a high-quality encounter isn’t necessarily anticipated. Nevertheless, AZ’s home advantage may prove decisive, as they could push for all three points in the final moments to secure a win.