Preview: AZ Alkmaar vs Fortuna Sittard - prediction, team news, lineups

AZ Alkmaar play host to Fortuna Sittard on Saturday afternoon looking for the win that they need to remain within touching distance of the top five in the Eredivisie table.

Meanwhile, the visitors can move back into contention for the European playoff spots with a win at the AFAS Stadion.

Match preview

Although AZ Alkmaar have a Conference League quarter-final and KNVB Beker final on the horizon, they can ill-afford to take their foot off the gas in the Eredivisie.

With nine wins from 15 matches across all competitions, caretaker head coach Lee-Roy Echteld is doing an excellent job in the dugout, but he has now overseen three defeats in four league games.

After losing to FC Utrecht and PSV Eindhoven, AZ were able to cruise past bottom club Heracles by a 4-0 scoreline.

However, in their final game before the March international break, they succumbed to a 3-0 defeat away at Groningen.

While AZ have three successive away defeats on their record, seven points have been accumulated from home matches versus Ajax, Sparta Rotterdam and Heracles.

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As for Fortuna Sittard, they are continuing to stay competitive in the race for the European playoffs, the current gap to eighth place being six points.

Nevertheless, Danny Buijs knows that victory at the weekend will move his team to within four points of their sixth-placed opponents.

Despite losing two of their last three fixtures, a positive spin can be put on nine points being racked up from a possible 15 since February 20.

Furthermore, Fortuna Sittard have prevailed in their last two away contests, overcoming NEC Nijmegen and FC Volendam respectively.

Fortuna Sittard lost 2-1 at home to FC Twente in the final match before the international break. That game was also the 13th successive encounter where they have both scored and conceded.

AZ Alkmaar Eredivisie form:

AZ Alkmaar form (all competitions):

Fortuna Sittard Eredivisie form:

Team News

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AZ are expected to remain without Mateo Chavez, Seiya Maikuma, Jordy Clasie and Jizz Hornkamp.

Elijah Dijkstra and Billy van Duijl are both options to come into the AZ backline after their half-time introductions versus Groningen.

The international representatives, such as 14-goal Troy Parrott, will be assessed in the days ahead of the match.

Fortuna Sittard are also missing key players, such as Mattijs Branderhorst and Mohamed Ihattaren.

Ivan Marquez could return to the middle of the backline as a replacement for Shawn Adewoye.

Kaj Sierhuis, who has netted 10 times in the Eredivisie this season, may also get the nod over Paul Gladon in attack.

AZ Alkmaar possible starting lineup:

Zoet; Dijkstra, Goes, Van Duijl, De Wit; Koopmeiners, Smit; Jensen, Mijnans, Daal; Parrott

Fortuna Sittard possible starting lineup:

Koopmans; Pinto, Marquez, Kasanwirjo, Dahlhaus; Brittijn, Michut; Limnios, Duijvestijn, Tunjic; Sierhuis

We say: AZ Alkmaar 2-1 Fortuna Sittard

With both teams having lost two of their last three matches, we do not necessarily expect a game full of quality. However, home advantage may prove key for AZ, who could push hard for all three points during the closing stages and get their reward.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.