This weekend is round 12 of the Eredivisie and Michael Statham continues to provide his preview and predictions for each match, including this weekend’s Klassieker between Feyenoord and Ajax.
- By Michael Statham
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Friday, November 6
Roda JC v ADO den Haag
Roda were demolished in the ArenA last weekend. This game is therefore so important for them as they have not won in the league since August now and the defeat last weekend would not have helped confidence.
ADO terrorised Feyenoord by simply putting the ball in the box. They kept playing high balls into the area and with the quality they’ve got out wide who can blame them.
They ended up forcing the error from van Beek that won them the game. I’m backing Henk Fraser’s men to make it back-to-back wins.
Prediction: 1-2
Saturday, November 7
Twente v Heerenveen
Twente’s youth products are having to learn very quickly in the Eredivisie. The defence is particularly youthful and collectively are making too many mistakes.
I think it’s time to bring back some of the more experienced heads into the team who have seemingly been forced out of the squad for poor performances.
A draw, two wins and two clean sheets have won the job for Foppe De Haan. It’s clear he’s brought back the confidence in his players.
Twente will go for it and with Hakim Ziyech on their team can score a goal at any time, but the defence still remains a worry for the Tukkers.
Prediction: 1-1
Willem II v Excelsior
Jurgen Streppel’s men are still struggling, last season’s top half of the table success seems like a long time ago now. Which is a surprise given how well they strengthened in the summer.
This game is likely to be tight as Excelsior will travel to North Brabant expecting an improvement defensively on previous games.
Willem II have only won once all season in the league but I think this will be their second.
Prediction: 2-0
NEC v De Graafschap
De Graafschap fought valiantly against PSV but were once again unlucky, although there’s only so many times you can say you deserved to win points out of matches.
At 3-3 the defence needed to stay tight and allow PSV no room to manoeuvre. That said, it took a quality goal from Luuk De Jong for the champions to regain the lead.
I thought NEC played excellently in Alkmaar last weekend. Anthony Limbombe, who scored twice, is turning into a fine player and is such a threat with his pace.
If NEC are to win on Saturday they must not take their visitors lightly. Meanwhile Jan Vreman will be firing his players up for yet another battle.
Prediction: 2-2
PEC Zwolle v Heracles
Ron Jans was clever to leave Sheraldo Becker and Lars Veldwijk out of his starting XI against Groningen last weekend. A few of his players may be becoming complacent that they can walk into Jans’ team every week.
This may have got all of his players working harder in training this week and maybe we’ll see an improved PEC from previous weeks.
They face Heracles who continue to pick up wins. They have goalscorers all over the pitch and don’t rely on one player, namely Oussama Tannane, to come up with the goods in each game.
Prediction: 1-1
Sunday, November 8
PSV v Utrecht
PSV were outstanding against Wolfsburg on Tuesday. They played the perfect European performance, something other Dutch teams should take note of for future games.
Their concentration was excellent as opposed to their game in Doetinchem last Saturday. The defence improved massively.
So this should be a comfortable home win for the champions, but they face a Utrecht side who will not make it easy for them, they have won their last three games scoring 13 goals in the process.
If the home side can keep their concentration and remain motivated as they return to league action, they will have no problems.
Prediction: 2-0
Feyenoord v Ajax
Feyenoord have only beat Ajax in the league once since 2006, but they did get one over their rivals in the KNVB Beker only last week.
This is a massive opportunity for the Rotterdammers to pull Ajax back closer towards them in the table after falling three points behind last weekend.
Sven van Beek’s own goal was unfortunate but was the fifth of his career already.
Ajax are playing well in the league but still come unstuck in Europe. Given that De Boer’s men have also lost to Feyenoord and PSV this season, it looks like the Amsterdammers are struggling when playing teams of a similar strength to themselves.
Just like in the cup I think both teams will put their defence first and try not to concede early in the game.
These games are always hard to call. I have a feeling that Ajax will take the points this time.
Prediction: 1-2
Cambuur v Groningen
Cambuur lost to take themselves back to square one after 5 successive draws in the league.
Without Bartholomew Ogbeche they have a toothless attack.
Groningen fans will be disappointed they didn’t beat Slovan Liberec in the Europa League on Thursday as it was their best chance of winning a match in their group.
Supporters are still to be silenced over van de Looi, perhaps they won’t ever be quiet until the manager leaves. Their team are doing well though, despite being off the boil in Europe.
Prediction: 1-1
Vitesse v AZ
AZ return from Germany after conceding another four goals. The team is finding it hard to find consistency despite putting together a few promising performances over the last couple of months.
Vitesse returned to winning ways against Excelsior. They continue to improve each week with their young players learning so much with each game.
I will back the team from Arnhem to record another victory.
Prediction: 2-0
How have I done so far?
Week 1: 4 results
Week 2: 3 results, 1 correct score
Week 3: 7 results, 1 correct score
Week 4: 4 results, 1 correct score
Week 5: 7 results, 2 correct scores
Week 6: 4 results, 1 correct score
Week 7: 7 results
Week 8: 5 results, 1 correct score
Week 9: 5 results, 1 correct score
Week 10: 4 results, 1 correct score
Week 11: 4 results, 1 correct score
Think you can better my predictions? Tweet me! @EredivisieMike or tweet @football_oranje or comment below with yours…
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Writer/interviewer/YouTuber for Football-Oranje. Massive Dutch football fan from the UK. Follow me @EredivisieMike & subscribe to Football-Oranje on YouTube.
