Groningen return to the Euroborg after a fast start to the season, with two wins from three and their only home game yielding a 2-1 victory. Both sides are heavily rotated — seven regulars missing for the hosts and six for Fortuna Sittard — but the underlying numbers still point…
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Sign inGroningen welcome Fortuna Sittard to the Euroborg on Friday 28 August 2026 for a round-four Eredivisie clash that pits the early-season perfect record of the hosts against a Fortuna side that has already held champions PSV Eindhoven. Kick-off comes just five days after Groningen visit PSV themselves, testing the depth of the league leaders.
Groningen are without captain Stije Resink (knee), Oskar Zawada (knock) and Malcolm Jeng (Achilles), while Tyrique Mercera and Ryan Metu are also sidelined. Defender Marco Rente is a doubt and will be assessed after the trip to Eindhoven.
Fortuna are missing Sven Simons with a hamstring injury, and Ramazan Bayram is on the current injury list. Iván Márquez and Kristoffer Peterson are being evaluated, but Edouard Michut and Shiloh ’t Zand returned from setbacks to score against PSV and Cambuur respectively, giving Fortuna fresh attacking options.
Dick Lukkien’s team have taken maximum points from their opening two fixtures, scoring six goals and conceding only two. Attacking midfielder Thom van Bergen has been the standout performer, contributing two goals and an assist before the visit to PSV. David van der Werff also found the net in an early win, underlining the attacking variety that has lifted Groningen to the top of the embryonic table.
Fortuna opened with a 2-2 draw at home to PSV, then beat Cambuur to sit on four points alongside several of the division’s traditional heavyweights. The goals have been shared around: Ole Romeny, Lequincio Zeefuik and Michut have all registered, and the team has shown a capacity to recover from losing positions. The quick turnaround from their own round-three fixture will test a squad already dealing with several injury concerns.
Van Bergen’s early-season form has made him the focal point of Groningen’s attacks, drifting into dangerous pockets behind the striker. Fortuna’s midfield — anchored by Michut and supported by the energetic ’t Zand — will be tasked with denying him space. If the visitors’ defensive screen is breached, Groningen’s movement could exploit the gaps that have already cost Fortuna three goals in two matches.
A win for Groningen would keep them in the early title conversation ahead of a trip to Heerenveen; Fortuna will look to build on a promising start before hosting Go Ahead Eagles. The outcome at the Euroborg could leave one of these sides with genuine momentum heading into the September international break.
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