Every week in the 2018/19 season, Football-Oranje’s Michael Statham gives you his predictions and betting tips for each Dutch Eredivisie round. Michael competes against a different special guest each week. This time, it’s journalist Rik Elfrink, who is a PSV-watcher for popular Dutch news outlets Eindhovens Dagblad and AD Sportwereld.

  • by Michael Statham
  • Follow Michael on Twitter @EredivisieMike
  • Follow Rik on Twitter @RikElfrink

Friday 26th October

Emmen v VVV-Venlo

Michael’s prediction: Emmen have not yet kept an Eredivisie clean sheet this season (and of course not even in their entire history). There’s a first for everything but VVV have been playing well and unless they have a total off day, I don’t think Emmen can both break down Venlo’s strong defence whilst keeping the visitors calm on the counter-attack. 1-1 | Tip: VVV double chance.

Rik’s prediction: It was hard for FC Emmen to play against PSV last week. After the first goal of the team of Mark van Bommel they struggled in Eindhoven. With VVV they play at home against a well organized opponent, who don’t score a lot. I predict a small victory for Emmen in their home town. 1-0

Saturday 27th October

ADO Den Haag v NAC Breda

Michael’s prediction: NAC are another struggling team. ADO didn’t play well last weekend but at home their fans will give them a kick to perform, which can sometimes see them slip up. NAC have been so poor but I think they could surprise. 1-1 | Tip: Both teams to score.

Rik’s prediction: In their own stadium ADO will be stronger than NAC, a struggling team that only played a pretty good game against PSV in the last few weeks. ADO have had some difficulties but the quality of the strikers is good enough to surprise the defenders of NAC; the weak link in this team. 3-1

Groningen v PSV

Michael’s prediction: A typical Eredivisie upset? PSV 9 wins from 9 slip up at bottom of the table Groningen? It’s a headline waiting to occur. PSV weren’t at their best against Spurs but they will enjoy the freedom of Groningen thanks to the drop in quality of opponent and because Groningen have been poor defensively in this campaign. Even if PSV end up in trouble, they have too much quality to get them out of it nowadays. 1-2 | Tip: Both teams to score.

Rik’s prediction: PSV almost always had difficulties with FC Groningen and Heerenveen in the last years, but I think FC Groningen is now that weak that it shouldnt be a problem for the current number 1 in the Eredivisie. PSV might be tired after the game against Tottenham so I expect a small win. 0-2

De Graafschap v Excelsior

Michael’s prediction: I find this match really tricky to call. De Graafschap need to win home games like this, but Excelsior have impressed me this season for many reasons. I don’t think Excelsior have that killer instinct quality to win away games like this one on a regular basis yet. 2-1 | Tip: De Graafschap draw no bet.

Rik’s prediction: Excelsior surprises again and again and De Graafschap have had a lot of problems this season. I think the home advantage of the Superboeren will help them to get a point against the team from Rotterdam. 2-2

PEC Zwolle v Heracles

Michael’s prediction: Another difficult prediction. PEC are on the rise after a dreadful start. Heracles are at the end of their purple patch now and some lesser results are coming. However, I think this could be a good game. 3-2 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals. 

Rik’s prediction: Heracles are the proud number four of the Eredivisie, but I think they are placed too high now and will lose in Zwolle. 2-1

Sunday 28th October

Vitesse v Fortuna Sittard

Michael’s prediction: I have enjoyed watching Fortuna play this season. A refreshing team to watch having only just been promoted from the Eerste Divisie. Vitesse is a tough task though and the Arnhem side should win well. 3-1 | Tip: Vitesse -1.5 Asian handicap.

Rik’s prediction: After the deception against Excelsior it will be an easy task for Vitesse to win against Fortuna. 4-1

Ajax v Feyenoord

Michael’s prediction: De Klassieker! Has there ever been a bigger divide in class between these two sides in the last decade or so? I’m not sure. We all know that Ajax are lucky to have some high class players at the moment who already can grace Champions League level. That said, they still lack the Eredivisie title to show for it. Feyenoord are only two points behind Ajax in second, but have not won games away from home easily at all this season. Feyenoord are the ‘best of the rest’ at the moment, as opposed to a member of the top three teams in the Netherlands – or at least that’s the feeling with me. I just don’t think Feyenoord can raise their level high enough to win in Amsterdam. Ajax will certainly be fired up for the occasion and I think they will punish some second-half defensive mistakes from Feyenoord to win this match. 3-2 | Tip: Over 3.5 goals.

Rik’s prediction: Feyenoord won’t have any chance against Ajax, if they can maintain the level of their performances in the last week. Ajax are playing with freedom, while Feyenoord win games with more difficulties. Although it is always a game between two natural rivals, Ajax almost always win and I think that will be the case on Sunday too. 3-0

Willem II v Utrecht

Michael’s prediction: Donis Avdijaj summed up Willem II’s problems last weekend: ‘a good side who create chances but make too many mistakes’. NAC barely created any opportunities against Willem II last time out but it finished 2-2. Utrecht were fortunate to beat AZ in their previous match but are back on the up thanks to Dick Advocaat. Another difficult game to predict! 2-2 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

Rik’s prediction: After the win against AZ there will be another win for FC Utrecht in Tilburg, I expect. Utrecht will get back to the position where they were expected to be at the start of the season. 1-2

AZ v Heerenveen

Michael’s prediction: I think it’s about time AZ returned to winning ways and found some form again. Manager John van den Brom has made some curious player selections in recent weeks but they should have the goals to beat a frail Heerenveen side. 3-1 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals. 

Rik’s prediction: After a disappointing result in Utrecht AZ will take revenge at home against Heerenveen, a team that have not performed like expected. 2-0

How has Michael done so far?

Week 1: 4 results and 1 correct score | 6/9 betting tips won (WON versus author Ferdi Delies [2 results])

Week 2: 5 results | 2/9 betting tips won (LOST versus writer Alex Dieker [6 results])

Week 3: 3 results and 1 correct score | 4/9 betting tips won (DRAW versus author Abdul Al Sayed [4 results])

Week 4: 2 results | 5/9 betting tips won (LOST versus IMG UK’s Eredivisie Highlights Show expert Jonathan Beck [5 results and 2 correct scores])

Week 5: 4 results | 5/9 betting tips won (WON versus Notts County winger Enzio Boldewijn [3 results])

Week 6: 6 results and 2 correct scores | 7/9 betting tips won (WON versus Football-Oranje writer Charlie Pritchard [5 results and 1 correct score])

Week 7: 6 results and 2 correct scores | 7/9 betting tips won (WON versus Willem II graphic designer FootyGraphic [3 results])

Week 8: 6 results | 6/9 betting tips won (LOST versus commentator Paul Thomas Clay [7 results and 2 correct scores])

Week 9: 8 results and 4 correct scores | 7/9 betting tips won (WON versus Football Manager researcher Jeroen Thijssen [7 results and 1 correct score])




Michael Statham (800 Posts)

Writer/interviewer/YouTuber for Football-Oranje. Massive Dutch football fan from the UK. Follow me @EredivisieMike & subscribe to Football-Oranje on YouTube.