Groningen v Fortuna Sittard: early play-off push meets top-half bid | OneFootball

Groningen host Fortuna Sittard in the Eredivisie on Friday, 28 August 2026 at the Euroborg, with the hosts looking to consolidate a play-off place and the visitors aiming to build on a solid start.

Groningen sit fifth on six points after three games and were beaten 5-1 at PSV last time out following wins over Utrecht and ADO Den Haag. Fortuna Sittard are eighth with four points, having drawn at PSV, defeated Cambuur and then lost to leaders AZ. The visitors won both league meetings last season by 2-1, including in Groningen.

The hosts are without defenders Marco Rente and Tyrique Mercera, plus Yénio Holder and Ryan Metu. Fortuna miss Kristoffer Peterson and suspended forward Ole Romeny, while Ivan Marquez and Sven Simons are also sidelined.

Groningen have scored seven goals in three matches, all from inside the box, and post 80.25% pass accuracy. Brynjolfur Willumsson has three league goals, while Thom van Bergen has two goals and two assists. Fortuna average 30% possession and have made 123 clearances and 17 blocks, suggesting a compact approach. Jasper Dahlhaus and Mohammed Ihattaren have each supplied an assist. The hosts could target a visiting defence without Marquez, while the away side may look to counter against a back line missing Rente.

A home win would move Groningen to nine points and could nudge them towards the top four. Victory for Fortuna Sittard would take them to seven points and could lift them into the play-off places. Groningen then host FC Twente, while Fortuna travel to ADO Den Haag.