Fortuna Sittard vs Heerenveen
Eredivisie
Saturday
3rd February 2024
Fortuna Sittard Stadion
The most comprehensive preview, detailed analysis and reliable predictions of the Eredivisie fixture between Fortuna Sittard and Heerenveen.
Fortuna Sittard vs Heerenveen: Preview
Fortuna Sittard form analysis
Fortunezen started this run of fixtures with an impressive 1-0 home win over RKC Waalwijk. After a tight game, Noslin’s strike on the 87th minute proved the difference in picking up 3 crucial points. However, a 4-1 thrashing away to NEC next game reverted to familiar struggling form – Noslin briefly equalizing after going behind but Fortuna crumbled to concede regularly, Mattsson and Hansen giving Fortuna no chance despite Sierhuis briefly halving the deficit.
Fortuna failed to respond against Sparta Rotterdam next time out, again looking assured on the ball early but falling behind despite second half pressure, with goals from Mito and Metinho either side of halftime enough to win the game for Sparta. So while the initial win over RKC and moments like Noslin’s standout displays showed spirit, Fortuna’s young side still lacks the steel and experience required to pick up points consistently. Defensive issues remain clear as Fortuna fail to keep opposition at bay or respond positively once behind. Addressing these persistent problems is crucial for manager Danny Buijs.
Heerenveen form analysis
Heerenveen have struggled for consistent form over this period. They started with a poor 2-0 home loss to PSV as defensive issues persisted once again, failing to recover after falling behind to Til’s opener before conceding late on. This continued with a disappointing 2-1 away loss to relegation battlers Volendam next, despite briefly rallying through Nicolăescu after Zeefuik doubled the deficit from Ould-Chikh’s opener.
They stopped the rot with a gritty 2-2 comeback draw away to PEC Zwolle, equalizing twice including Nunnely’s last gasp leveler to claim a point after going behind early to Thy’s goal which cancelled out Tahiri’s converted penalty. However, problems defending set plays haunted Heerenveen again during a limp 3-0 defeat away to Excelsior. But they showed spirit once more to battle back from behind and dramatically equalize late through a fortunate own goal to draw 2-2 at home to AZ in their last game. So while Kees van Wonderen’s men have shown they can score. Their struggles to keep clean sheets and stop conceding from dead balls are major issues to address.
