Fortuna Sittard — NEC Nijmegen : Match Preview and Prediction for August 31,2025

The Unyielding Home Advantage

Let’s begin with the crucial factor: home advantage. For Fortuna Sittard, this is not just an empty phrase, as statistics confirm their resilience: the team has remained unbeaten in 4 of their last 5 home matches. This is a significant indicator that cannot be overlooked, especially when a highly-hyped opponent is coming to visit.

Dominance on Home Turf

Consider their most recent game in Sittard: a 2-2 draw against Go Ahead Eagles. However, the numbers tell a story of complete dominance by the hosts. Just think about it: 36 shots on goal compared to the opponent’s 7, and 67% ball possession. Head coach Danny Buijs’s team knows how to dictate play on their home ground, creating immense pressure and a multitude of chances, even if it doesn’t always translate into a winning scoreline. Even in their lost away match against NAC Breda (1-2), Fortuna maintained 61% possession, highlighting their consistent ambition to play from a position of strength.

Tactical Battle and Team Resilience

We shouldn’t forget the tactical duel between the coaches. Danny Buijs and NEC’s manager, Dick Schreuder, know each other exceptionally well from their time in lower divisions. This fact could be crucial, as Buijs is undoubtedly well-aware of Schreuder’s ultra-attacking style and will likely prepare a tactical trap for his counterpart. Yes, Fortuna has some personnel losses, but the key one is defender Sjib van Ottele. The other absent players are mostly rotation or reserve squad members, meaning the team’s core, capable of putting up a fight, remains intact.

NEC’s Blazing Start: A Closer Look

NEC kicked off the season with three dominant victories, scoring 12 goals and conceding only one. The team currently tops the league table, and the press is buzzing about coach Dick Schreuder’s “Dickie-taka” style. However, let’s look at the situation without euphoria. The caliber of opposition NEC has faced raises questions: Excelsior and Heracles are at the bottom of the table, and NAC Breda was soundly beaten 3-0.

Unveiling the Tactical Vulnerabilities

The most intriguing aspect lies in analyzing their playing style. NEC employs a highly attacking brand of football with an extremely high press and significant risk. As expert Theo Janssen noted: “They’re going to run into trouble eventually. They take too many risks.” He also offered direct advice to NEC’s opponents: play long balls behind their defenders, where vast spaces often open up. This is precisely where their vulnerability lies, a weakness that a shrewd coach, familiar with their style, could exploit.

Internal Caution Amidst Early Success

Even team captain Dirk Proper urges caution, calling discussions of their early success “premature.” This internal perspective confirms that the team has yet to be truly tested by a genuinely strong opponent. Their intense and risky style is effective against struggling teams, but the disciplined and resilient Fortuna, playing at home, could be the very challenge that NEC stumbles upon.