Preview: PEC Zwolle vs. Fortuna Sittard - prediction, team news, lineups

Two teams in dire need of a victory face off at the Mac3Park Stadion on Saturday when PEC Zwolle play host to Fortuna Sittard.

The visitors come into the game off the back of six losses on the bounce, while the hosts are looking to end a five-game winless streak.

Match preview

Zwolle were involved in a share of the spoils for the second consecutive game following a 1-1 draw versus Groningen on Friday.

Dick Schreuder's men took the lead in the 14th minute through Mees de Wit but failed to hold on to their advantage as Thomas van den Belt put the ball past his goalkeeper half an hour into the second period.

The Blauwvingers remain rooted to the bottom of the standings and are currently eight points adrift of safety 15 games into the new campaign.

Lying in store next is a contest against an opposing side who are unbeaten in the last four meetings between the teams, picking up two wins and two draws apiece.

Having scored the fewest number of goals in home matches so far, Saturday's hosts will need to get going in that department to stand any chance of coming up on top.

Fortuna Sittard suffered a sixth straight league defeat following a 5-0 thrashing by Feyenoord at De Kuip on Sunday.

Goals from Guus Til and Luis Sinisterra either side of Bryan Linssen's brace put the game beyond the reach of Sjors Ultee's men before Alireza Jahanbakhsh came off the bench to put the final nail in the coffin.

The Fortunezen are bottom but one on the log, three points above their next opponents ahead of this weekend's crucial relegation six-pointer.

Saturday's visitors, who have conceded the most goals of any side in the division so far, have some tightening up to do if they are to turn what has been a disastrous campaign around.

Team News

Fortuna's Roel Janssen is set to return from suspension and could be recalled into the starting XI for this one.

Lisandro Semedo is expected to play no part for the away side as he continues to nurse an ankle injury.

Bram van Polen is ruled out for Zwolle, as the 36-year-old continues to battle with a muscle injury.

This weekend's hosts will also be without the services of Pelle Clement and Sai Van Wermeskerken, who are down with ankle and knee injuries respectively.

PEC Zwolle possible starting lineup:
Lamprou; Voet, Kersten, Nakayama; Paal, Strieder, Saymak, Reijnders; Huiberts, De Wit, Adzic

Fortuna Sittard possible starting lineup:
Van Osch; Cox, Pito, Angha, Lonwijk; Musaba, Tekie, Duarte; Seuntjens, Flemming, Hansson

We say: PEC Zwolle 1-1 Fortuna Sittard

With the teams struggling at both ends of the field, we expect a tight and cagey encounter with the sides cancelling each other out and settling for a point apiece at full time.

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