Almere City will be attempting to put their opening-day defeat behind them when they travel to face Fortuna Sittard on Saturday in the second game week of the Eredivisie.
The hosts are also still searching for their first victory of the campaign after being held to a goalless draw last weekend.
Match preview
Fortuna Sittard kick-started their campaign on the road against the 2022-23 champions Feyenoord, but they could not break the deadlock as the two battled it out to a goalless draw.
It was a frustrating game for Danny Buijs due to the fact that Feyenoord ended up with 10 men for the majority of the game after Bart Nieuwkoop was sent off in the 25th minute.
Fortuna Sittard did not manage to take advantage of the situation though, and they only managed to have 38 percent of the possession despite having the numbers advantage.
However, the Fortunezen did prove to be stronger at home throughout last season, which is something they will be hoping to replicate this time around.
The draw did continue Fortuna Sittard's undefeated run from the end of pre-season, though, having gone three matches without a defeat, which should inject some confidence into the team for this weekend.
The same cannot be said for the visitors who are currently without a win in their previous four games after a difficult pre-season campaign that they are looking to put behind them.
Almere City could not change their fortunes on the opening day of the Eredivisie when they hosted FC Twente in a match featuring a frantic second half.
After a goalless first 45 minutes, things kicked into another gear with five goals and a red card in the second half, which ultimately led to a 4-1 defeat for Alex Pastoor's men.
Damian van Bruggen found himself heading for an early shower after a 74th minute-red card, and that is something that made things difficult for his team who had only just scored two minutes before that to make the game 2-1.
However, this weekend the focus for Almere City will be ensuring that they are focused until the very end after conceding twice in added time, which proved to be damaging to their goal difference.
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Team News
After picking up a point against difficult opponents last weekend, there is a good chance that Fortuna Sittard will opt for the exact same starting lineup this time around.
Working the 4-3-3 formation provides a strong balance for attack and defence with summer signing Paul Gladon searching for his first goal of the season.
The visitors will be without Van Bruggen this weekend due to suspension and that could lead to Thomas Poll stepping into the back four this time around.
Danny Post could also find himself in the starting lineup this weekend after impressing as a substitute on the opening day by finding the back of the net.
Fortuna Sittard possible starting lineup:
Pandur; Pinto, Guth, Siovas, Vita; Rosier, Duarte, Halilovic; Noslin, Cordoba, Gladon
Almere City possible starting lineup:
Bakker; Floranus, Poll, Jacobs, Barbet; Pena, Post, Duijvestijn; Pascu, Van La Parra, Limbombe
We say: Fortuna Sittard 2-0 Almere City
Fortuna Sittard managed to pick up an important point against tough competition on the opening day, and they should have the confidence to follow that up with a victory this weekend.
The visitors are in a difficult period and suffered a heavy loss last weekend, which is why the hosts should take all three points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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