Round 23 of the 2023-24 Eredivisie season sees RKC Waalwijk entertain the challenge of Fortuna Sittard at the Mandemakers Stadion on Saturday.
Off the back of defeats in their respective last outings, both teams head into this weekend's encounter aiming to get themselves back on track.
Match preview
Waalwijk fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat against defending Eredivisie champions Feyenoord when the sides locked horns at De Kuip on Sunday evening.
Despite playing over an hour of the contest with a numerical disadvantage, Henk Fraser's men repelled everything that was thrown at them until they were eventually undone in the 84th minute by Mats Wieffer's winner.
Consequently, RKC remain 16th in the Eredivisie table, three points adrift of top-flight safety heading into the final third of the campaign.
Coming up next is the task of facing off against an opposing outfit who have managed only one victory from the last five editions of this fixture.
Having recorded 11 of their 18 points so far on home turf, Saturday's hosts know that matches in front of their fans will play a key role in the battle for survival.
Fortuna Sittard just about came up short in their clash against AZ Alkmaar which ended in a 2-1 defeat at the Fortuna Sittard Stadion on Saturday.
Danny Buijs's men went into the interval with a narrow lead thanks to Inigo Cordoba's opener before second-half goals from Vangelis Pavlidis and Dani de Wit turned the game on its head.
With 24 points from 22 matches, the Fortunezen are 13th in the standings but remain in danger of being sucked into a relegation scrap as they sit six points clear of the drop zone.
Currently boasting the worst attacking record in away involvements this term, Saturday's visitors will need to up the ante at the top end of the pitch to stand any chance of a positive result this weekend.
Team News
Etienne Vaessen received his marching orders in Waalwijk's defeat against Feyenoord last time out, and the goalkeeper is ineligible to participate this weekend.
This should see Jeroen Houwen get the nod to feature between the sticks for what would be only his fourth start of the current campaign.
Justin Lonwijk still awaits his first goal for Fortuna Sittard since signing on loan from Dynamo Kyiv, but the Dutchman is expected to retain his place in the XI.
Marko Lazetic continues to face an extended spell on the sidelines as he remains without an appearance for the away side since late November.
RKC Waalwijk possible starting lineup:
Houwen; Meijers, Van den Buijs, Adewoye, Lelieveld; Oukili, Roemeratoe; Lokesa, Niemeijer, Cleonise; Min
Fortuna Sittard possible starting lineup:
Verrips; Pinto, Guth, Voet, Dijks; Da Cruz, Duarte, Ferati, Cordoba; Sierhuis, Lonwijk
We say: RKC Waalwijk 1-1 Fortuna Sittard
Neither team is in particularly good form heading into this one, and Saturday's clash could easily swing either way. However, we are backing the teams to cancel each other out and settle for a point apiece in the end.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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