Utrecht vs Sittard – News and Probable Lineups

FC Utrecht is gearing up for their final Eredivisie match against Fortuna Sittard on Sunday at a full-capacity Stadion Galgenwaard, with both teams still vying for significant goals as matchday 34 approaches.

By securing a victory, Ron Jans’s squad could clinch a spot in the Europa League, provided AZ Alkmaar fails to gain points in their home match against NAC Breda, while the visiting team arrives in Utrecht sitting 11th with no stakes in the match.

Match overview

Since early February, Utrecht has been in remarkable form, tallying eight wins, three draws, and only three losses over their last 14 Eredivisie fixtures.

This solid performance was highlighted by a commendable 2-1 victory against Ajax at the Johan Cruyff Arena last weekend, a result that significantly impacted Ajax’s Champions League aspirations while boosting Utrecht’s own chances for Europa League qualification next season.

The win over Ajax also marked a return to winning ways on away turf for Utreg after suffering consecutive defeats against Eredivisie champions PSV Eindhoven in a thrilling 4-3 loss and a heavy 5-0 defeat to Excelsior, where Matisse Didden’s red card while trailing 1-0 proved detrimental.

Those two away losses stand as Utrecht’s only defeats since a 1-0 home setback against Feyenoord in February, with Jans’s side collecting 25 points from a possible 42 during this stretch, positioning themselves as one of the league’s top-performing teams.

Despite their recent strong performances, Utrecht has not won any of their last three encounters against Fortuna Sittard, recording two losses and one draw, while the earlier fixture this season resulted in a narrow 1-0 win for the visitors on that occasion.

Fortuna broke a streak of five matches without a win by edging past PEC Zwolle 3-2 last weekend, although their inability to maintain control of the match was again evident as they allowed their opponents back into the game despite leading by three goals after 65 minutes.

Defensive issues have plagued Fortuna throughout the season, as they possess the third-worst defensive record in the Eredivisie with 61 goals conceded, trailing only Heracles Almelo and PEC Zwolle.

Discipline problems and the inability to maintain leads have become recurring themes for Danny Buijs’s side, with similar collapses occurring in losses to Heerenveen and Feyenoord, where Fortuna was unable to capitalize on their advantages and faced additional setbacks due to red cards.

Before the win against PEC Zwolle, Fortuna had lost four of their past five fixtures, marking a significant decline for a team that was in contention for European qualification a few months earlier, though their position in the Eredivisie for the 2026–27 season is now secure.

Fortuna’s defensive lineup has now gone 22 consecutive matches without securing a clean sheet, and the visitors have endured 10 away defeats this season, although recent encounters with Utrecht may provide a glimmer of hope having avoided defeat and not conceded in their last two meetings.

Team News

FC Utrecht forward Sebastien Haller has not been included in Cote d’Ivoire’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after head coach Emerse Fae made his selections public on Friday. This decision might serve as either a setback or increased motivation leading up to the season’s climax.

Jans has confirmed that Artem Stepanov and Can Bozdogan will be back in the fold for the match against Fortuna, although Stepanov may not start immediately, with Haller expected to take the lead against a team that has struggled with aerial defensive situations this campaign.

Miguel Rodriguez, Emirhan Demircan, Victor Jensen, Jaygo van Ommeren, Oualid Agougil, and Michael Brouwer are unavailable due to various injuries for the hosts.

For Fortuna, Ivo Pinto and Paul Gladon face suspensions following their respective red cards against Heerenveen and Feyenoord.

The absence of Shawn Adewoye further complicates an already shaky defensive setup, while injuries across midfield and defence continue to limit Danny Buijs’s options ahead of their trip to Utrecht.

Fortuna also won’t have Ramazan Bayram and Daley Sinkgraven available due to knee injuries, while Luka Tunjic and Justin Lonwijk are sidelined with groin and muscle issues, respectively, as Nick Marsman and Edouard Michut round out the visitors’ long injury list.

FC Utrecht probable starting XI:

Barkas; Vesterlund, Eerdhuijzen, Van der Hoorn, El Karouani; Engwanda, Zechiel; Karlsson, Cathline, De Wit; Haller

Fortuna Sittard probable starting XI:

Branderhorst; Kasanwirjo, Hubner, Van Ottele, Bisschops; Oukili, Schenkhuizen; Duijvestijn, Peterson, Limnios; Ornamental house

Utrecht approaches the season’s final match in outstanding form and will host Fortuna Sittard at a sold-out Stadion Galgenwaard with hopes of European qualification still alive.

While the visitors will aim to spoil the celebration, it is anticipated that Utreg’s attacking prowess and momentum will prevail, with the hosts expected to finish the campaign on a high note with an exciting win.