Preview: Fortuna Sittard vs. FC Utrecht - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts have lost all of their opening four games, while the visitors only have two points to their name this season.

Match preview

Despite losing to Ajax on the opening day of the season, Fortuna Sittard would have taken confidence from their battling performance in the narrow 3-2 defeat.

However, the early belief has quickly dissipated following three more defeats that leaves Friday's hosts rooted at the bottom of the Eredivisie table.

After being dispatched 3-0 by Twente, Friday's hosts were thrashed 4-1 at home to Cambuur, which cost Sjors Ultee his job.

Interim boss Dominik Vergoosen oversaw Saturday's away meeting with Heerenveen where Burak Yilmaz's late penalty could not prevent Fortuna Sittard from falling to a 2-1 defeat.

As a result of the 2-1 defeat, Fortuna Sittard are one of two sides in the Eredivisie still without a point this term, and after conceding 12 goals this term, they will need to improve defensively to record a positive result on Friday.

Like their hosts, Utrecht are also searching for their first win of the season, although they have managed to pick up two points from their opening four games.

They began the campaign with consecutive draws against RKC Waalwijk and Cambuur, and they looked set to claim their first victory of the campaign on matchday three against Emmen.

Anastasios Douvikas and Bas Dost gave Utrecht a 2-1, but two second half goals from Emmen condemned Henk Fraser's side to their first defeat of the campaign.

Utrecht were also on the losing side of Sunday's home meeting against Ajax, but they will believe an encounter against rock-bottom Fortuna Sittard presents an opportunity to claim their first win this season.

Although they will need to improve away from home after failing to win their last eight away matches in all competitions.

Fortuna Sittard Eredivisie form:

FC Utrecht Eredivisie form:

Team News

The hosts have no reported injury concerns ahead of Friday's contest, although they could make a couple of changes to the starting lineup.

Arianit Ferati and Tijjani Noslin could both come into the side after the pair featured as second substitutes on Saturday.

Summer signing Yilmaz has already scored three goals this season, and he will look to add to his tally when he leads the line against Utrecht.

As for the visitors, Mike van der Hoorn will miss out due to a knee problem, while Ramon Hendriks is a long-term absentee.

They could also be without the services of Bart Ramselaar, Tommy St. Jago and Arthur Zagre, who are struggling with injury issues.

Despite losing to Ajax at the weekend, Fraser is expected to keep changes to a minimum, although Taylor Booth is in contention for a starting spot.

Fortuna Sittard possible starting lineup:

Pandur; Tirpan, Guth, Siovas, Cox; Ferati, Erdogan, Duarte; Noslin, Seuntjens, Yilmaz

FC Utrecht possible starting lineup:

Barkas; Ter Avest; Van der Maarel, Viergever, Van der Kust; Booth, Brouwer; Sylla, Toornstra, Redan; Dost

We say: Fortuna Sittard 1-3 FC Utrecht

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