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

Level on points at the moment, Fortuna Sittard and Heracles go up against each other on Friday, kicking off round 21 of the Eredivisie.

Fortuna will be looking to complete a league double over Heracles, who they beat 2-1 in the reverse fixture in December, when the sides met at the Erve Asito.

Match preview

Fortuna Sittard have started the year on a high, winning four of their six league games so far, which has seen them move up to 12th in the Eredivisie table.

Sjors Ultee's men came out on top in an entertaining 3-2 affair versus VVV-Venlo last Saturday, which was their first home win of the year.

The midfield duo of Zian Flemming and Mats Seuntjens were on target for Fortuna once again, taking their combined tally of goals for the year to eight.

A win for the home side this weekend would take them not only above their visitors, but also into the top half for the time being at least.

Heracles are unbeaten in their last three Eredivisie games since losing 2-0 to FC Utrecht in mid-January, picking up seven points in that time.

Delano Burgzorg has been instrumental to that run, scoring in each of his last three games, including the winning goal in his side's narrow 1-0 victory over Groningen last Saturday.

He also scored a late winner in his side's win over Heerenveen a week earlier, and the Dutch forward is now up to five league goals, after scoring just two in his first 15 games of the campaign.

His renaissance could be key for Frank Wormuth's men as they look to put together a strong second half of the season.

With a trip to Ajax next for the Heraclieden, Friday represents an opportunity to pick up some points ahead of a tough encounter with the league leaders.

Fortuna Sittard Eredivisie form: WLWLWW Fortuna Sittard form (all competitions): LWLLWW

Heracles Eredivisie form: LWLWDW Heracles form (all competitions): WLLWDW

Team News

Fortuna have no absentees for the game, but Sjors Ultee might contemplate making some changes to freshen things up in a bid to keep their good form going.

Kasper Lunding sustained a knock in Heracles' aforementioned defeat to Utrecht, and he is unavailable for the trip to Fortuna.

Mats Knoester marked his return to action with a substitute appearance versus Groningen last time out, but a start in this one would come too soon for him.

The away side will also have to cope with the absence of Navajo Bakboord, who has not featured this season as he remains sidelined with a muscle injury.

Fortuna Sittard possible starting lineup: Van Osch; Cox, Tirpan, Angha, Rota; Hansson, Rienstra, Tekie, Semedo; Seuntjens, Flemming

Heracles possible starting lineup: Blaswich; Quagliata, Propper, Rente, Breukers; Schoofs, Azzaoui, De La Torre; Van De Water, Vloet, Burgzorg

We say: Fortuna Sittard 1-1 Heracles

Both teams seem to have turned a corner in recent weeks, and are in fine form at the moment. We expect a close game with little or nothing to choose from between the sides and ultimately, a share of the spoils.