NAC Breda vs Fortuna Sittard Predictions

NAC Breda managed to survive their first season back in the top flight last term, but it wasn’t smooth sailing by any means. The four points they picked up in their final two games of the season proved crucial to their survival bid, with them avoiding the drop by that four point margin and earning themselves another campaign in the Eredivisie. Now, they face a Fortuna Sittard side returning from a long stint in the lower leagues.

The new season hasn’t started particularly promising for the hosts though. They unsurprisingly lost away to AZ on the opening weekend of the campaign, although the 5-0 margin will have come as a big disappointment. Their only points so far came in an impressive 3-0 dismantling of De Graafschap, but they were unable to glean confidence from that game and followed it with back to back defeats.

In fairness to NAC, they have had to endure a pretty difficult start to the year. Trips away to Feyenoord and AZ in the opening four games were always going to be difficult, and their only mildly surprising defeat was their 2-0 loss at home to Excelsior. Against their newly promoted visitors, they will be hoping for a better showing on Sunday.

Fortuna Sittard have been through the mill since they last resided in the Eredivisie table. Poor financial management and under performing players led to their relegation in the 2001/02 Eredivisie season, and that lack of financial planning has plagued them for years since. They struggled to stay afloat for years and almost had their licence to play revoked in 2010.

Finally, things started improving for Fortuna Sittard, and after a number of failed playoff attempts they finally returned to the top flight this season. Unfortunately, it hasn’t been quite the fairytale start that some had hoped it would be.

They drew at home to Utrecht last time out to make it two draws and two defeats from their opening four Eredivisie games, and their last away game was a 3-1 loss at the hands of ADO Den Haag. Defensively they are looking particularly poor, and that’s a weakness that NAC will hope to exploit after scoring five goals in their last three games.

In terms of ability, these two teams aren’t actually that far apart. However, the extra season of top flight experience, along with the home advantage, should be enough for the hosts to get the three points on Sunday. NAC Breda have never lost at home to Fortuna Sittard, and have won seven of their last 13 home Eredivisie games, so we think backing a home win here offers good value for money along with a 2-1 correct score predictions.