The Eredivisie enters its second week, and Michael Statham once again previews all the action, whilst offering his predictions.
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Friday, August 14
Vitesse v Roda JC
Roda’s comeback win over Heracles will have given the squad a massive confidence boost. The players will now feel they can compete in the Eredivisie. However I still think they’re a couple of players short from being a stronger team than three other sides in the league.
I think Vitesse will be too strong for Roda, even without the suspended Denys Oliynyk.
Prediction: 3-1
Saturday, August 15
De Graafschap v PEC Zwolle
Heerenveen swept aside De Graafschap all too easily on Tuesday which will be a worry to manager Jan Vreman. Mistakes gifted chances and the visitors only got a foothold in the match once Heerenveen took their foot off the gas. Vermeij earning his first goal of the season midweek could be very important.
De Superboeren will fancy their chances more this Saturday. Zwolle disappointed me in the way they let go of their 2-0 lead over Cambuur. They had control of the match at half-time but let it slip and gave away several chances in the second half. Ron Jans’ men lacked maturity in midfield, perhaps the absences of Saymak to injury and Drost who left for Groningen were key in their downfall.
Prediction: 1-1
Twente v ADO Den Haag
Twente picked up a decent point in Groningen on Wednesday with a youthful team that has only had pre-season to gel. Ziyech looked very dangerous, Twente’s fortunes this season will pin on his goals and assists contribution.
ADO needed a helping hand from goalkeeper Kevin Hansen to pinch a point in their opening game against PSV. I still think the team lacks goals despite Schaken and Duplan running the flanks.
PSV cut open den Haag all too often and should have come away from The Hague with a win, but fortunately for ADO the finishing was poor. They may not be so lucky this time around.
Prediction: 2-0
Ajax v Willem II
Ajax surprised me a little in their comfortable win at AZ last weekend. They assertively controlled the game in Alkmaar and created numerous chances – similar to their game against Rapid Vienna – but this time there was much more maturity in the performance, barring El Ghazi’s over-the-top reactions when he netted his two goals. There is still much work ahead for Ajax and that game was not enough to persuade me that all of their problems of last season are gone.
Willem II have many Ajax prospects on loan this season and all will be eligible to play on Saturday. De Boer will hope that none of them score against his side, but Zivkovic has a point to prove especially, as he is still not in De Boer’s plans even in his second season for Ajax.
Prediction: 3-1
Excelsior v AZ
Excelsior didn’t create enough chances in Nijmegen last weekend to warrant a point. When Dijkhuizen was in charge of the Rotterdammers, he always used to get his team to have a go at the opposition despite the difference in quality of the players.
Now they’re at home the players should hopefully be more adventurous. AZ were poor against Ajax and disappointed me after playing so well in both legs of their Europa League qualifier. Although I think they will pick up three points on Saturday, if van Overeem, Ortiz and Henriksen get a good foothold in midfield.
Prediction: 0-2
Sunday, August 16
PSV v Groningen
PSV created plenty of chances in The Hague but it wasn’t to be Luuk De Jong’s day in front of goal, despite his successful header in the second half.
The champions should have enough to beat Groningen for the second time in two weeks as the away side will be without Botteghin who left for Feyenoord this week – he will be sorely missed in defence.
Prediction: 2-0
Utrecht v Heerenveen
Once Feyenoord had gone down to ten men, Utrecht looked very dangerous in De Kuip and had the home side on the racks as they searched for an equaliser. The goal did come but they were unable to hold on as futher goals from Vilhena and Kuyt secured victory for Feyenoord. Sébastien Haller scored his first two goals of the season which will stand him in good stead.
Heerenveen look to have a new striker in Mitchell te Vrede. But if you compare Haller and te Vrede, Haller is the much more feared striker as he contributes more on the pitch and is also good with his feet, but you can’t doubt te Vrede’s poaching ability.
That’s why I think Utrecht will earn a victory on Sunday, the quality of the strikers will be the difference.
Prediction: 2-1
Cambuur v Feyenoord
Cambuur fought well in getting back into the game against Zwolle in midweek and in the end were unlucky not to take all three points.
Feyenoord looked to have a settled team against Utrecht despite selection problems. Kazim-Richards, Kuyt, Başaçıkoğlu and Vilhena looked good. If the team remains on form, another victory is in store.
Prediction: 0-1
Heracles v NEC
Heracles will play their first game in their new 15,000 capacity stadium on Sunday. They looked fairly fluid in attack against Roda, yet they ultimately lost due to poor defending.
NEC snatched a win at home in midweek and I think they will take something from this game too. Limbombe could be one to look out for in coming games, he could be the long term replacement for Jahanbakhsh in attack.
Prediction: 1-1
Think you can predict the scores better than Michael? Add your predictions in the comments box below.
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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.
