Fortuna Sittard and RKC Waalwijk square off on Sunday afternoon looking for the win that could move them clear of the Eredivisie bottom three.
As it stands, the two clubs - who sit in 11th and 15th position in the standings respectively - are separated by just three points.
Match preview
Despite making an encouraging start to the season, Fortuna Sittard have not been able to maintain it, instead falling into the category as one of the division's most inconsistent sides.
A five-match unbeaten streak was followed by a four-game losing run, before two wins, two defeats and a draw were posted more recently.
The aforementioned two victories have come in the last three fixtures, with Sittard getting the better of Heracles and Vitesse by 4-1 and 3-1 scorelines.
Those results have been required to establish some breathing space between themselves and the bottom three, particularly in terms of clubs with four teams below them and ahead of the bottom three.
With none of the division's big four to come until February, Danny Buijs will be confident that Sittard can make quick headway back up the table.
From the perspective of RKC Waalwijk, they technically lost their last game, but it was the completion of the fixture with Ajax from earlier in the season.
Already trailing 3-2, RKC could not find an equaliser, and it subsequently ended a two-game run without defeat having collected four points from meetings with PEC Zwolle and Excelsior.
Like with their hosts, such a return was required to make strides in their effort to avoid the drop, although they did blow a two-goal lead against Excelsior.
At a time when Sittard have lost just one of their seven home league games in 2023-24, Henk Fraser's side have lost six of their eight away fixtures.
Team News
Buijs must decide whether to hand an immediate recall to defender Rodrigo Guth, who served a one-match ban last time out.
If Buijs sticks with a back four, Guth may remain among the replacements, while Loreintz Rosier may be considered as an alternative to Arianit Ferati in midfield if passed fit.
Barring any injury issues, Fraser may be prepared to start with the side that begun the 2-2 with Excelsior.
Upon the resumption versus Ajax, the team that had played the previous 87 minutes had to be selected, but Sunday's XI may resemble the side from last Saturday.
Zakaria Bakkali is an option on one of the flanks if Fraser wishes to introduce fresh legs in that area of the pitch.
Fortuna Sittard possible starting lineup:
Pandur; Pinto, Fofana, Voet, Dijks; Ferati, Duarte; Noslin, Halilovic, Cordoba; Sierhuis
RKC Waalwijk possible starting lineup:
Vaessen; Lelieveld, Adewoye, Van den Buijs, Meijers; Roemeratoe, Lokesa, Oukili; Cleonise, Kramer, Stevanovic
We say: Fortuna Sittard 2-1 RKC Waalwijk
With both of these bottom-half teams having collected points recently, this feels like an evenly-matched contest. However, we have to back the home side to come through this encounter given their recent two home showings, albeit perhaps by a smaller margin than in those fixtures.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Darren Plant
