Tired, winless NEC meet a rested Fortuna side unbeaten on the road
Dick Schreuder’s side are 11th with nine points, have not won in seven games in all competitions and drew 1-1 with Levski Sofia in the Europa League on Thursday night. Fortuna are seventh with 14 points, are unbeaten in four away league games and have had a full week off. Kick-off is at 20:00 CEST, with Alex Bos the referee. The game is at the Goffertstadion on Sunday, 18 October 2026, in round 9 of the Eredivisie.
“You just want to win the game as well.” – NEC manager Dick Schreuder after the draw with Levski (translated)
Predicted lineups: NEC Nijmegen vs Fortuna Sittard
NEC are without centre-backs Bram Nuytinck and Philippe Sandler, as well as Emre Mor, while Tobias Storm is a doubt after a fever. Mitchel Bakker, Hansen-Aarøen and Tahaui are available again. Fortuna are missing Yassin Oukili, Jasper Dahlhaus and Iván Márquez. NEC’s line-up follows WhoScored and Sports Mole, with their 3-4-2-1 shown as a 3-4-3; Fortuna’s follows the same sources.
NEC Nijmegen Team News & Preview
NEC drew 1-1 with Levski Sofia on Thursday after a poor first half, with Chery scoring into an empty net. It is now seven games without a win in all competitions, with their last victory in August. They also drew 1-1 at Ajax last weekend, where their press caused problems.
At the Goffertstadion NEC have not won a league game this season. The defence is short of numbers without Nuytinck and Sandler, and they travel to Zagreb next Thursday.
What works for or against NEC Nijmegen
- Seven games without a win.
- No home league win this season.
- Nuytinck and Sandler out.
- Bakker and Hansen-Aarøen back.
Fortuna Sittard Team News & Preview
Fortuna drew 1-1 with Twente last weekend and have had a full week to prepare. On the road they have been one of the league’s best sides, with three wins and a draw from four games.
They also won both meetings with NEC last season, including 3-2 in Nijmegen in February. Defensively they are not watertight, but they have scored nine goals in four away games.
What works for or against Fortuna Sittard
- Unbeaten in four away league games.
- A full week of rest.
- Won both meetings last season.
- 15 league goals conceded.
NEC Nijmegen vs Fortuna Sittard Odds
Match Result
Double Chance
Draw No Bet
Over/Under
Both Teams to Score
Nijmegen vs. Sittard Stats Comparison
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Nijmegen vs. Sittard Form Guide
Nijmegen Form, Stats & Data
NEC score 1.63 league goals per game and concede 1.75. At home they have two draws and two defeats, with 5 goals scored.
Sittard Form, Stats & Data
Fortuna score 1.75 league goals per game and concede 1.88. Away from home they have three wins and a draw, with 9 goals scored and 6 conceded.
NEC Nijmegen vs Fortuna Sittard: Prediction & Betting Tip
NEC have not won in seven games, have not won at home in the league and played in Europe on Thursday night without two first-choice centre-backs. Fortuna are rested and unbeaten in four away games. I like Fortuna Sittard or Draw (X2) at 2.08.
The obvious danger is NEC’s attacking quality at home. Chery is in form, Bakker and Hansen-Aarøen return, and NEC have won plenty of penalties this season. That is why my stake is small. But the gap in freshness and form points away from the hosts.
My selection is Fortuna Sittard or Draw (X2) at 2.08 with Winz, with 1-1 as my correct-score call.