It’s round 30 of the Eredivisie and Michael Statham continues to give his preview and predictions for each match. This weekend Ajax visit Cambuur, PSV host Willem II and Feyenoord face a tough trip to Enschede to play Twente.
Friday, April 8th
PEC Zwolle v Roda JC
When Zwolle beat Roda 0-5 in November it displayed just how poor the Kerkraders were at the time. Now they look safe as they are six points clear of danger with only five games to go.
So, although now that Roda are very nearly safe, I feel they might start to take their foot off the gas a little. Plus PEC have shown great form at home, having won five of their last six games in Zwolle.
Michael’s prediction: 2-0
Saturday, April 9th
Excelsior v Heracles
With Willem II away at PSV, this is a big chance for Excelsior to leapfrog the Tilburgers out of the relegation zone.
Whilst they’ve been off-form, winning only two of their last seventeen games, the Rotterdammers have at least won both of their last home games, whilst playing some decent football.
Heracles are still the better team here though, and Feyenoord found it very easy to create chances against their local rivals last week.
Michael’s prediction: 1-2
Vitesse v ADO Den Haag
Whilst Vitesse are running out things to play for towards the end of the season, Rob Maas still has a lot of work to do. He has only won four of his 12 games in charge.
Investment is needed at the club to take it to the next level, however Peter Bosz still found a way of making his teams very competitive in his time in Arnhem.
ADO need to respond after a disappointing defeat last week, but I think this’ll be a comfortable home win.
Michael’s prediction: 2-0
Cambuur v Ajax
Cambuur are running out of games to save their season, and a title-thirsty Ajax are not the team they want to face.
The quality, or perhaps the lack of it, was clear to see in the game between De Graafschap and Cambuur. Whichever team stays up (if the one in seventeenth survives the play-offs), they have some hard work ahead in the summer to improve their squad.
Ajax will win this with ease.
Michael’s prediction: 0-3
PSV v Willem II
PSV took their chances against AZ and despite a few lapses in concentration in the last ten minutes, were pretty solid defensively too.
The pressure that will come from the expectation to win should be enough to waive away any complacency PSV might have this time to beat Willem II, who have leaked far too many goals recently.
Michael’s prediction: 3-0
Sunday, April 10th
Heerenveen v AZ
The history between these two sides oozes goals. There have been eleven goals shared in just the last two meetings, and I anticipate the record to continue this time too.
Current form should be forgotten for this one, especially since Heerenveen are so unpredictable.
I thought AZ were unfortunate in the way they lost to PSV. They created the same number of chances as their opponents but found themselves four goals down for part of the match.
Michael’s prediction: 2-3
Utrecht v NEC
Throughout this season, Utrecht have developed an intriguing formation. Added to a back four, they have four midfielders who play fairly narrow behind two strikers who cause all the havoc.
They congest the penalty area with bodies and play dangerous balls in. There is rarely anyone waiting thirty yards out or on the opposite wing, but if something drops inside the area, there are players like Andreas Ludwig last week who will sweep up any loose balls inside the area.
That kind of direct, offensive style will lead to Utrecht seeing a lot of the ball against NEC, who will attempt to win something out of the match by sitting deep and hoping to hit their hosts on the counter-attack.
Michael’s prediction: 2-0
Groningen v De Graafschap
Groningen worked hard and ground out their result in The Hague. That kind of effort must be replicated in every match until the end of the season.
The visitors will definitely be up for a fight this weekend. They weren’t the best quality-wise in their draw with Cambuur, but the desire is always there. A point here would be massive.
Michael’s prediction: 1-1
Twente v Feyenoord
It was admirable the way Twente came back to beat Willem II last weekend, but ultimately it was Hakim Ziyech who carried his team’s fight-back. It’s like when a nine-year-old brings his big brother to the park to help beat his mates.
Feyenoord almost have third place sewn up, as they now hold a four point advantage over AZ with only five games to go.
Although Twente could make the race for third and fourth places more interesting. Feyenoord will have plenty of defending to do in Enschede.
Michael’s prediction: 1-1
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
Week 14: 6 results
Week 15: 6 results, 1 correct score
Week 16: 4 results, 2 correct scores
Week 17: 5 results, 1 correct score
Week 18: 5 results
Week 19: 7 results
Week 20: 2 results, 1 correct score
Week 21: 2 results
Week 22: 6 results, 1 correct score
Week 23: 5 results
Week 24: 7 results, 3 correct scores
Week 25: 3 results
Week 26: 4 results, 1 correct score
Week 27: 3 results, 1 correct score
Week 28: 5 results, 1 correct score
Week 29: 4 results, 1 correct score
Think you can better my predictions? Tweet us! @EredivisieMike or @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.
