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 Matt Jones, a life-long Ajax fan who is secretary of England’s Toolstation Northern Counties East Leagues – the ninth and tenth levels of the English football pyramid.

  • by Michael Statham
  • Follow Michael on Twitter @EredivisieMike
  • Follow Matt on Twitter @mattjones1973

Friday 2nd November

Excelsior v Groningen

Michael’s prediction: Excelsior will be favourites to win here but Groningen will still pick up points in their horrid run. 1-1 | Tip: Both teams to score.

Matt’s prediction: It’s mid-table Excelsior facing bottom side Groningen. The visitors have picked up just one point from six matches and have found the net just six times in ten games. I predict their miserable run to continue. 2-0

Saturday 3rd November

PSV v Vitesse

Michael’s prediction: A difficult challenge for PSV. Their fantastic run seems to be faltering; a narrow win at Groningen and a cup defeat (albeit with a second choice side) to RKC Waalwijk will make this a more nervy affair. If PSV score early, they will win comfortably but Vitesse are a dangerous and well-organised team when they are particularly confident in games against the top sides. 2-1 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

Matt’s prediction: Mark van Bommel’s side will be confident of maintaining their 100% start to the season here. PSV have been scoring goals for fun and I can foresee a comfortable victory for the home side. 3-0

NAC Breda v Heracles

Michael’s prediction: Despite Heracles’ quick and exciting football with star players Brandley Kuwas and Kristoffer Peterson in form, I think the fourth-placed team will struggle with NAC’s physical approach in front of a vocal Breda crowd. NAC will get a long overdue second win of the season. 3-1 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

Matt’s prediction: Heracles have surprised many people so far this season to currently sit in 4th place in the league table. NAC have found the going tough, picking up just four points from five home games and they will struggle to pick up anything here. 1-2

AZ v De Graafschap

Michael’s prediction: I haven’t been impressed by AZ lately but I think mid-week’s 2-0 cup win over VVV suggess Alkmaar have enough in the tank to break down De Graafschap and win easily. 4-1 | Tip: AZ -1.5 Asian handicap.

Matt’s prediction: The form of the home side has been disappointing so far but they will fancy their chances of bouncing back from last week’s defeat against Heerenveen against a visiting side that have picked up just a single point from four away games. 3-0

Ajax v Willem II

Michael’s prediction: Ajax will just have to guard against complacency to get victory here. Keeping star striker Fran Sol quiet should be easy with some good pressing to Willem II’s midfielders as long-balls from defence aren’t Sol’s strength. Perhaps not a steam-rollering considering the Champions League game coming up. 2-0 | Tip: Ajax -1.5 Asian handicap. 

Matt’s prediction: Ajax will look to keep up the pressure on league leaders PSV against a Willem II side that hasn’t tasted victory in their last six matches. With Dusan Tadic looking like an inspired signing I predict a comprehensive win for Erik Ten Hag’s side. 4-1

Sunday 4th November

Heerenveen v Emmen

Michael’s prediction: Emmen are finding adapting to Eredivisie life very difficult indeed and the defensive 4-4-2 set-up is not helping them have much attacking fluency. They will be rigid against Heerenveen but it will not be enough. Heerenveen do well in these types of games when they must attack. Sam Lammers scoring at any time might be a good bet. 3-1 | Tip: Heerenveen -1.5 Asian handicap (or Lammers to score).

Matt’s prediction: Emmen, as expected, have struggled since winning promotion although their away form is better than their home form. Heerenveen have yet to win in front of their own fans after five attempts but I think they’ll collect maximum points here, buoyed by last weekend’s excellent away win at AZ. 2-1

Fortuna Sittard v PEC Zwolle

Michael’s prediction: Whilst I think Fortuna are set up to have a good season, PEC have been on a good little run of late, winning five out of their last nine in all competitions, losing only to Vitesse and Feyenoord. That’s why I’m tipping them here to win in Sittard. John van ‘t Schip is turning the tide (pardon the [sort of] pun!) in Zwolle. 1-2 | Tip: Both teams to score.

Matt’s prediction: A single point currently separates these two sides and I can see this being a tightly fought draw. Sittard will be delighted to sit in 13th place after gaining promotion and will pick up another valuable point here. 1-1

Utrecht v ADO Den Haag

Michael’s prediction: ADO will have to be resolute in defence here to prevent Utrecht from winning, which has become a more difficult task in the last month or so. Utrecht are without a regular goalscorer but still earn results suggesting that the midfielders are good enough to chip in when required. 1-0 | Tip: Home win.

Matt’s prediction: Utrecht are strong at home, collecting an average of two points per game so far this season. They will fancy their chances of collecting maximum points here although they will have to be aware of the Eredivisie’s joint-leading goalscorer Abdenasser El Khayati, who has found the net eight times already. 2-1

Feyenoord v VVV-Venlo

Michael’s prediction: I hope VVV give Feyenoord an exciting game in Rotterdam. So far this season, Feyenoord’s home matches have been fairly routine. I’ve spoken often about how impressed I’ve been about Maurice Steijn’s men but let’s see if they can step it up a gear to surprise the hosts. I think not, this time. 2-1 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

Matt’s prediction: A tough match to call as two of the top six meet in Rotterdam. The home side have a 100% home record and will edge a tight game. 2-1

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])

Week 10: 6 results and 3 correct scores | 5/9 betting tips won (WON versus PSV-watcher and Eindhovens Dagblad journalist Rik Elfrink [4 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.