Both SBV Excelsior and Fortuna Sittard will be looking to make it three games undefeated in the Eredivisie when they clash at the Van Donge & De Roo Stadion on Saturday evening.
The two sides have won one and drawn one of their opening two games, meaning the hosts are currently in sixth place, with the visitors two spots lower, in eighth.
Match preview
Excelsior got off to a flying start to their Eredivisie campaign, winning 4-3 away at NEC in dramatic style, having twice been behind in the game, but a second-half Richie Omorrowa effort was followed up by a goal at the death, with Uddenas Oscar scoring in the 99th minute.
The Red-blacks were the Eredivisie's third-lowest scorers last season, so fans will undoubtedly be excited by the attacking intent on display on the opening day, and they have since picked up another promising result against Ajax.
Marinus Dijkhuizen's side were the underdogs heading into the game against the team that finished third last season, but they managed to hold their own for parts of the game, and they were very clinical in front of goal.
In the entire match, Excelsior recorded just two shots on target, but they scored from both, meaning they held the side from Amsterdam to a point at the Van Donge & De Roo Stadion, which should give them confidence heading into Saturday's game.
Not only that, but the Red-blacks have a very good home record against their upcoming opponents, winning eight and drawing two of the last 10 matches between the two sides at their own ground.
Fortuna Sittard will have to defy recent history if they are to pick up all three points this weekend, but they should also head into the game full of confidence, having started their campaign very similarly to Excelsior.
Much like their opponents, the Fortunezen have already managed to hold one of the Eredivisie's best teams to a point, drawing 0-0 away at reigning champions Feyenoord on the opening day in a game they could have won, given that the hosts were reduced to 10 men early on.
After a promising performance on the opening day, Danny Buijs's side have managed to pick up their first win of the season, defeating Almere City 2-1 on their own turf courtesy of an own goal from Hamdi Akujobi and a first-half effort from Loreintz Rosier.
Having made a solid start to the campaign, Fortuna will be hoping to pick up another three points on Saturday against a side they should be fairly evenly-matched with, considering just four points separated the two teams in the table last season.
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Team News
Excelsior will be without Kik Pierie, with the centre-back missing the first two games due to an injury sustained in pre-season, meaning youngsters Serano Seymor and Casper Widell are set to keep their places, with the latter scoring his first goal for the club against NEC.
Jacky Donkor has been a long-term absentee for the Red-blacks, missing the bulk of last season with a knee injury, and the right-winger will play no part, with Couhaib Driouech poised to get the nod in a 4-3-3 system.
Fortuna Sittard have no players out with injury, and Buijs is unlikely to make too many changes to his side given that they won their last match, with the manager set to implement a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Striker Paul Gladon is yet to get off the mark in the Eredivisie this season, but the 31-year-old is likely to be the danger man, having scored seven goals last term, and he is poised to lead the line, with former Barcelona man Alen Halilovic supporting from advanced midfield.
SBV Excelsior possible starting lineup:
Van Gassel; Horemans, Widell, Seymor, Zagre; Naujoks, El Yaakoubi, Baas; Driouech, Lamprou, Agrafiotis
Fortuna Sittard possible starting lineup:
Pandur; Pinto, Guth, Siovas, Vita; Duarte, Rosier, Noslin, Halilovic, Cordoba; Gladon
We say: SBV Excelsior 1-1 Fortuna Sittard
After two games, the two sides have identical records in the Eredivisie, and just four points separated them in the table last season, with Fortuna Sittard finishing two places higher.
Given that they are very evenly-matched, we expect Excelsior and Fortuna to play out a draw this weekend, with both teams extending their unbeaten runs.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Dominic Lund
