It’s round 31 of the Eredivisie and Michael Statham continues to give his preview and predictions for each match. With PSV visiting Roda and Ajax hosting fourth-placed Utrecht, who will lead the Eredivisie on Sunday evening?
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Friday, April 15th
De Graafschap v Twente
A decent start for De Graafschap in Groningen was undone by attempting to contain their opponents far too early in the game. If they had continued to exploit Groningen instead of inviting them to attack, they would have come away with at least a point.
Twente were a bit flat in their last game. The absence of Felipe Gutiérrez and a couple of strikers saw them fail to score for the first time in a match since January.
The home side have only lost once at home in 2016, but I think they’ll struggle to deal with Twente’s attack should they perform better this time.
Michael’s prediction: 1-2
Saturday, April 16th
Vitesse v Heracles
This is a match between two sides hoping to finish in the Europa League play-off places.
Vitesse’s predicament can be conveyed by comparing these two sides. Despite a stronger financial backing and support from Chelsea, the Arnhem side find themselves lagging behind Heracles in the league table.
The visitors have been rejuvenated in their last four matches, as they have collected ten points from them whilst playing some nice football reminiscent of their start to the campaign.
Heracles will be hungrier, but Vitesse do have more quality.
Michael’s prediction: 1-1
AZ v PEC Zwolle
Despite having their first choice back-line back in place for last weekend, it’s now ten goals conceded in only three games for AZ.
It was a bad day at the office all-round in Heerenveen though, and I think AZ will respond well in this match.
PEC have played particularly well at home recently, but are a different kettle of fish when playing away.
Michael’s prediction: 3-1
Feyenoord v Groningen
Following that run of seven successive league defeats, Feyenoord could make it nine wins in a row here in all competitions.
Groningen captain Rasmus Lindgren has lead by example in the last couple of weeks after slamming his side’s performances in the press. He has scored two and marshalled his defence well in his team’s last couple of wins. Maybe he has realised the importance of impressing future employers given that his contract expires in June.
Michael’s prediction: 2-0
Roda JC v PSV
Roda’s defending and general effort hasn’t been up to standard in the last couple of games.
Perhaps what will be the saving grace for Danny Kalezic’s men is that both Willem II and Excelsior have to overtake them before relegation becomes an issue.
I’m sure Roda’s players will raise their game for the visit of PSV, who are only interested in three points in their desperate chase of Ajax.
PSV are still playing well, I just think that their huge game against Ajax came at the wrong time for them.
Michael’s prediction: 0-2
Sunday, April 17th
Ajax v Utrecht
When asked about whether or not his team had scraped victory at Cambuur, Frank De Boer disagreed and said that his team could have won by more. I agree with him, whilst some have criticised Ajax’s performance last weekend, I thought they were unfortunate not to win by three or four.
They will have to step it up against Utrecht though. The visitors have been a joy to watch this season as they develop into a very good team.
I’ve mentioned many times that they have a dangerous attack. Perhaps their defence has been a little understated. Timo Letschert has been excellent in holding together the back four and Rico Strieder has been a good shield in defensive midfield.
For me, this has banana skin written all over it for Ajax.
Michael’s prediction: 1-1
NEC v Cambuur
NEC have a fantastic record at home – they have ten league victories from fifteen at the Goffertstadion this season.
Cambuur will struggle to counter-attack against NEC’s deep five-man defence (should they choose to employ it). I think their best hope is to try and play their hosts at their own game by sitting deep themselves. Problem with that is their defence is not good enough.
What is promising for Cambuur is their fixture list. They still have to play fellow strugglers Willem II and Roda at home.
Michael’s prediction: 1-0
Willem II v ADO Den Haag
The Tilburgers didn’t play too badly in Eindhoven and would have fancied their chances of claiming a crucial point once playing ten men.
Unfortunately PSV proved too strong, but a home game against a mid-table side with nothing to play for must be seen as a great opportunity for three points and a huge leap towards safety.
ADO battled well in Arnhem to bounce back from disappointment the previous week.
I think Willem II will handle ADO’s physicality quite well and claim victory.
Michael’s prediction: 1-0
Excelsior v Heerenveen
For me, Excelsior won’t make it out of the bottom three now. They have lacked quality the entire campaign and that is due to insufficient funding from the board as the club is so small.
I think they’ll struggle to handle Heerenveen’s forwards this weekend. Sam Larsson, Luciano Slagveer and an on-form Arber Zeneli will trouble a frail back-line. Plus Heerenveen have captain Joey van den Berg back from suspension and looked a far better outfit with him returning to the side last time out.
Michael’s prediction: 1-2
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
Week 30: 5 results
Think you can better my predictions? Tweet us! @EredivisieMike or @football_oranje, or comment below with yours…