Sittard vs PEC Zwolle – News and Probable Lineups

With only one point separating them in the Eredivisie standings, Fortuna Sittard and PEC Zwolle will face off at the Fortuna Sittard Stadion this Sunday.

A victory for either team would ensure their safety in the top division, although a draw might also be enough, depending on results from other fixtures.

Match overview

Fortuna’s recent 2-1 defeat to Heerenveen showcased their indiscipline and inability to maintain a lead. This same pattern was evident in their subsequent 2-1 loss to Feyenoord, where Danny Buijs’s side started strong, suffered a red card, and ended up losing.

Now having lost four of their last five games, Fortuna’s aspirations for European football have taken a significant hit just two months ago. They approach the second to last matchday with their Eredivisie survival for the 2026-27 season still uncertain.

With more than three-quarters of their total of 36 points earned at home, Sittard has heavily depended on performances in front of their supporters. However, they are currently winless in their last four home matches, securing just one victory in seven home outings in 2026 (D2, L4).

Once unbeaten in five consecutive encounters with Zwolle, Fortuna has encountered a downturn, now having lost five of the last six confrontations, including the last three, with a 1-0 defeat in the reverse fixture at MAC3PARK Stadion back in December.

Sunday’s hosts have managed to score first in five of their previous six encounters, yet often failed to capitalize on these strong beginnings. They will seek to rectify this issue in their final home game before concluding the season away at Utrecht.

ZWolle bounced back from their most substantial defeat this season against PSV ten days ago to secure a 1-0 win over Heracles, thus ending a streak of three games without a victory.

Since gaining promotion in 2023, Henry van der Vegt’s team has managed to firmly establish themselves and even came close to achieving a European finish last season.

Despite a decline this season, they remain six points clear of the relegation zone and are once again close to achieving safety.

De Blauwvingers will be eager to secure their safety with a positive result this weekend, especially with a tough match against Feyenoord on the horizon for the final matchday.

Although they have garnered only nine points out of a possible 48, Zwolle holds one of the division’s fourth-worst away records but can take reassurance from a comprehensive 4-1 win during their last visit to Sittard in January 2025.

Both Zwolle and Fortuna have scored 10 times within the first 15 minutes of matches this season, indicating that the encounter may provide plenty of excitement right from the kickoff.

Team News

Fortuna Sittard will be without Philip Brittijn, Ivo Pinto, Jasper Dahlhaus, and Paul Gladon due to suspensions.

Additionally, they are missing Ramazan Bayram and Daley Sinkgraven because of knee injuries, while Luka Tunjic and Justin Lonwijk are out with groin and muscle problems respectively.

The injury list for Fortuna is completed by Nick Marsman, Edouard Michut, and Shawn Adewoye.

ZWolle’s squad will miss Shola Shoretire, Jan Faberski, David Woute, and Samir Lagsir due to knee injuries.

Jasper Schendelaar (thigh) will also be absent, joined on the sidelines by Damian van der Haar, Younes Namli, and Jadiel Pereira de Gama.

Moreover, Sherel Floranus is serving a suspension, allowing Tristan Gooijer to step in at left-back.

Fortuna Sittard probable starting XI:

Koopmans; Kasanwirjo, Marquez Alvarez, Hubner, Van Ottele; Oukili, Duijvestijn; Peterson, Ihattaren, Limnios; Ornamental house

PEC Zwolle probable starting XI:

DeGraaff; Gooijer, MacNulty, Aertssen; Neighbor, Thomas; De Rooij, Oosting, Velanas; Kostons

Both Fortuna and Zwolle rank among the top three teams for goals conceded in the league, suggesting that this Sunday’s fixture is unlikely to be a dull encounter.

With so little separating the two sides, a draw seems a likely outcome at the final whistle.