Highlighted: Fortuna Sittard shoots with precision in March

After a 3-1 victory over PEC Zwolle in the last matchday, Fortuna Sittard now has 34 points, and survival in the Eredivisie is almost assured, although many fans were probably not focused on that. They were secretly looking upwards, towards the spots for the playoffs for European football, and there is every reason to do so. This century, Fortuna Sittard had only once before reached 34 points after 26 rounds in the Eredivisie (also 34 after 26 matches in the 2020/21 season) and it is only the second time that Fortuna has had at least thirty points after 26 Eredivisie matches since their promotion in 2018.

It's clear that things have been going well for Fortuna Sittard in recent weeks. No team took more shots on goal in the Eredivisie in March than Fortuna Sittard (24, equal with PSV), and no team scored as many goals during this period as Fortuna (10). This attacking hunger is partly fueled by striker Kaj Sierhuis, who, after a difficult period at the start (2 goals in his first 12 league matches for Fortuna), is now fully unleashed. He scored six goals in his last four Eredivisie matches, bringing his total for Fortuna to eleven goals in 25 matches. The last player with as many goals in his first 25 Eredivisie matches for Fortuna Sittard was Ronald Hamming in 1995-1996 (also 11).

If Kaj Sierhuis manages to score against Sparta Rotterdam again, he will become the fourth Fortuna Sittard player to find the net in five consecutive Eredivisie matches, and the first since Sigi Lens in 1987 (5). The 25-year-old striker was directly involved in both the most shots (24) and goals (7) during the month of March.

Fortuna Sittard aims to continue their good form against direct rival Sparta and keep the dream of playoffs alive. The last time the Limburgers earned at least thirteen points from a series of five Eredivisie matches was in December 2020-January 2021 (13).

Follow the playoff battle between Sparta Rotterdam - Fortuna Sittard live on Saturday at 18:45 on ESPN!