This weekend is round 14 of the Eredivisie. Michael Statham continues to provide his preview and predictions for each match. Although this match-week sees Michael take on fellow Football Oranje writer Amos Ondieki. Round 14’s fixtures include two huge crunch matches at the bottom of the table as well as two local derbies in Rotterdam and Gelderland.
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Friday, November 27
Cambuur v De Graafschap
The weekend’s action opens up with a vital six-pointer at the bottom of the table. Both sides have yet to win a game all season thus far, surely something has to give here.
Both sides have been so suspect defensively it’s no wonder why they’re both struggling, however Cambuur have been more fruitful in attack at least. The visitors on the other hand have only managed two goals in last their seven away games.
Before the mid-season interval, Cambuur also face sides just above them in the table in Willem II and Excelsior, with a home game against NEC sandwiched in between. A run of games that could turn their season around.
Seeing as De Graafschap have been so poor away from home in particular, I predict Cambuur fans to finally have smiles on their faces this weekend.
Michael’s prediction: 2-1
Amos’s prediction: 1-2 “The long wait is over, one of these sides has to win tonight. The first win of the season is at stake for the basement buddies. I fancy the visitors to clinch it 2-1.”
Saturday, November 27
Heerenveen v Roda JC
The Frisians were rolled over by a confident AZ last weekend despite a good recent run of form. However it was predictably a very open game, so it was easy for the game to swing either way and Foppe De Haan’s men shouldn’t lose too much confidence from that defeat.
In my opinion, Roda’s heavy drubbing at the hands of Zwolle was a long time coming given how they’ve struggled in the last few weeks. They are still without a win since August and haven’t played to the same standards since.
Darije Kalezic must find a way to arrest this slump before the slide down the table gets worse.
Michael’s prediction: 2-0
Amos’s prediction: 3-2 “Roda have been soaking in goals lately, conceding 12 in three games. This trend is likely to continue.”
Excelsior v Feyenoord
This Rotterdam derby will be the most competitive meeting between these two sides for a number of years, as Excelsior are a growing team who are getting good results under Alfons Groenendijk. In the league they have only lost one in their last eight.
Feyenoord showed against Twente that they have improved attacking quality from last season. Simon Gustafson, Dirk Kuyt and Eljero Elia are a step above last season’s attacking midfield trio of Jean-Paul Boetius, Jens Toornstra and most notably Lex Immers.
If they can keep this form up then they are a force to be reckoned with, especially at De Kuip. I see them having too much on Saturday and beating their local neighbours.
Michael’s prediction: 1-3
Amos’s prediction: 2-2 “On paper Feyenoord are braced to have a walk in the park in this fixture. Despite being the underdogs Excelsior pick up results.”
Twente v Willem II
Had Feyenoord not taken their foot off the gas in the second half, the Rotterdammers could have reached double figures against what was a dismal Twente performance.
The first eleven isn’t good enough for this level and I’d only dare to think where the Tukkers would be sitting in the table if they had sold Hakim Ziyech in the summer.
The squad needs revamping in January but the club keeps slipping out information that they have no money to spend and that as they are in so much debt, the club may even lose its licence soon.
The players that are in René Hake’s squad on Saturday must still perform for the fans however, and this is an important game for the club in their fight for survival.
Willem II will look to last weekend’s 2-2 draw with PSV as a positive in their own fight to stay up. I personally thought their performance was still lacking in a lot of areas, especially up front where they remain toothless. Although they took the chances that came their way and hung on well for a point near the end.
Michael’s prediction: 1-2
Amos’s prediction: 0-2
Sunday, November 29
Vitesse v NEC Nijmegen
NEC surprisingly find themselves two points and a place above Vitesse as they go into this ‘Gerderlandse derby’. Confidence will be high and they will try to take the game to their opponents, which I think will suit Vitesse with their pace on the break.
That said, the home side have only won one in their last four. That won’t concern Peter Bosz though seeing as his side are still scoring plenty of goals.
One thing that is for sure, it will be a fierce derby and a very lively game.
Michael’s prediction: 3-1
Amos’s prediction: 2-1
PEC Zwolle v Ajax
Ryan Thomas stood out for Zwolle against Roda. He is back on the scoresheet again after a barren run of form in front of goal. He also created numerous chances for himself and for others throughout the match.
It’s a timely return to form then for PEC as they face the current league leaders, who finally won a match in their Europa League group on Thursday evening.
Ajax supports are always on Frank De Boer’s back for their style of play, but I thought they were very threatening in attack against Celtic.
I see this one being a tight match, Zwolle can be a very solid team against the top sides. In fact, they are unbeaten in their last five meetings against Ajax, conceding only once last season against De Boer’s men.
Michael’s prediction: 1-1
Amos’s prediction: 1-1
Utrecht v Heracles
Utrecht’s poor away form continued last weekend, but at home they are a different side.
Meanwhile Heracles struggled to create many chances against a resolute Excelsior, despite Oussama Tannane’s return from injury.
I fancy Utrecht to bag three points as they are a much bigger threat at home.
Michael’s prediction: 2-1
Amos’s prediction: 0-2
Groningen v ADO Den Haag
Groningen were unfortunate not to hold on to a draw in Marseille on Thursday, and after being so stretched for most of the game defensively, they may be jaded for this game on Sunday seeing as Erwin van de Looi rarely makes changes to his team.
Albert Rusnak bagging a goal against De Graafschap will help his confidence, Groningen have missed that little bit of flair from midfield this campaign.
ADO have picked up seven draws from their first thirteen matches this season, and I think after this match they’ll have eight from fourteen.
Michael’s prediction: 1-1
Amos’s prediction: 1-0
PSV v AZ Alkmaar
PSV kept Manchester United at bay so well on Wednesday. They change their style of play for European matches and fair play to them as it is getting them excellent results.
If the champions kept the same defensive solidity in the Eredivisie they’d also have a few more wins to speak about, a prime example being last weekend’s draw with strugglers Willem II.
AZ meanwhile are still unpredictable as always. Last weekend they produced one of their best performances of the season against Heerenveen but fans were brought back down to earth after a disappointing defeat and exit from the Europa League at the hands of Partizan Belgrade.
For me, PSV will be fitter and carry the extra quality that they’ll need to wear down and comfortably beat their opponents from Alkmaar.
Michael’s prediction: 2-0
Amos’s prediction: 1-3 “Phillip Cocu’s side appear a shadow of the team from last season. They might be third in the table but that is as far as it goes. Should AZ take the game to the champions then they will get a result.”
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
Week 12: 3 results, 1 correct score
Week 13: 5 results
Think you can better mine or Amos’s 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.
