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 Michael Bell (who we will call Mike during this article), who is editor and founder of Football-Oranje.com.
Friday 30th November
Excelsior v Utrecht
Michael’s prediction: Utrecht have won six of their last seven in all competitions. Their season is truly up and running; they are into the last 16 of the Dutch Cup and sit fifth. Because of the confidence I’m sure the visitors will have, I’m backing them to beat Excelsior on their own (astro)turf. I was correct in predicting Excelsior’s 2-1 win at Emmen last weekend, but they were fortunate to not only score a last gasp winner but also to concede so many chances yet only let in one goal. 1-2 | Tip: Both teams to score.
Mike’s prediction: Dick Advocaat side are on a roll and in Nick Venema they may have solved their striker issue. I hope Advocaat gives the youngster a start on Friday. Excelsior won last weekend but they weren’t great and got a bit of luck. I’m going for an away win. 0-2
Saturday 1st December
Vitesse v Emmen
Michael’s prediction: Vitesse seem to be in good form at the moment and the next of their winnable pre-Christmas fixtures is against newly-promoted Emmen, who I don’t think hold much chance of earning any points in Arnhem. I believe Vitesse are on their way to threatening Feyenoord for third place. 3-0 | Tip: Vitesse -1.5 Asian handicap.
Mike’s prediction: Martin Odegaard has found his form in Arnhem and he is inspiring Vitesse to some good form. They go into the tie with Emmen as big favourites for me. Emmen have some decent players and are better away from home but Vitesse should have too much. 2-0
De Graafschap v PEC Zwolle
Michael’s prediction: Some, in fact most, of De Graafschap’s defending in their 5-0 defeat to Utrecht was shocking. Despite playing a 5-3-2, it was too easy. PEC were rightly booed off the pitch following a home loss to ADO Den Haag last weekend, leading to John van ‘t Schip’s position as manager put at risk. I think De Graafschap will recover to earn a point against Zwolle. 1-1 | Tip: Both teams to score.
Mike’s prediction: Two teams in awful form, I wouldn’t expect this game to be a thriller. De Graafschap’s defence didn’t show up in their hammering at Utrecht last week, while PEC Zwolle were horrendous against ADO Den Haag. PEC Zwolle have some good players and one day it is surely going to click. I am going for an away win. 0-1
AZ v Willem II
Michael’s prediction: It was another late goal carelessly given away by AZ in Venlo. John van den Brom seemed to be improving the way Alkmaar were seeing out matches but it was a step back on Sunday. Fans are becoming frustrated with the lack of quality shown by forwards in this campaign and also because of a lack of a centre-back duo who are consistent. Teun Koopmeiners, a midfielder, has been played there more recently, however he looks out of place when dealing with attacking runs. Fran Sol will give whoever plays a torrid time. Speaking of time, van den Brom could be starting to run out of it as boss of AZ. 2-2 | Tip: Willem II double chance.
Mike’s prediction: AZ Alkmaar are a shadow of the side we saw last season and they can’t seem to defend. Teun Koopmeiners is not a centre-back but van den Brom seems to be insistent on some kind of Frenkie de Jong project. Willem II were full of errors in their loss against Vitesse last week. In Fran Sol they have a goalscorer, though and I think they will give AZ some issues, but the home side will get a much needed three points. 3-2
Heerenveen v Fortuna Sittard
Michael’s prediction: Heerenveen are due a win. That said, the last time I predicted one for the Frisians, they drew at home to Emmen – another promoted side. Fortuna are the strongest of the new bunch of clubs in the Eredivisie and currently sit ninth which is a fantastic feat so far. The form book doesn’t always rule though and it’s time for Sam Lammers and Arber Zeneli to step up and claim the points for the hosts to send fans home happy. 2-1 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.
Mike’s prediction: I have a soft spot for this Heerenveen side that is full of Dutch talent but they just can’t seem to gel together. One week they can be outstanding and the next horrendous. They rolled over for PSV last weekend but will be looking to get back on track against Fortuna Sittard. However, the away side are playing with confidence and scoring goals. Finn Stokkers has been a revelation in recent weeks and I think this game will be close. 2-2
Sunday 2nd December
Ajax v ADO Den Haag
Michael’s prediction: Another comfortable win for Ajax is expected here. The main threat from the opposition comes from Abdenassar El Khayati who will float between the Ajax lines to cause danger whenever ADO can get some meaningful possession. I don’t think the ADO defence is strong enough though to hold out Ajax for 90 minutes. 3-1 | Tip: Ajax -1.5 Asian handicap.
Mike’s prediction: A local derby that can sometimes be a bogey match for Ajax but I expect them to fully control the game and with Hakim Ziyech back, a win should be comfortable. ADO Den Haag have a bright spark in El Khayati but he won’t be able to do it all against Ajax. 3-0
Heracles v VVV-Venlo
Michael’s prediction: I haven’t backed Heracles to win in a small while now but I think at home they will be dangerous. A 4-3-3 going on 4-2-4 will put VVV under a lot of pressure which they will struggle to deal with, in my opinion, despite their excellent start to the campaign. 2-0 | Tip: Heracles draw no bet.
Mike’s prediction: The Heracles bubble seems to have burst after a great start to the campaign. VVV, on the other hand, continue to surprise and find themselves seventh instead of battling at the bottom. In Kristoffer Peterson and Brandley Kuwas have two excellent attackers and I think they will fire the hosts to a victory. 2-1
Feyenoord v PSV
Michael’s prediction: PSV face a big challenge to keep their 100% league record going. Feyenoord sit third but perhaps haven’t been at their strongest in most matches this season with seemingly little to play for already now that the title is beyond their limits. I expect De Kuip to bring a great atmosphere to the occasion and Feyenoord’s forwards to cause PSV a lot of trouble following their Champions League exploits on Wednesday. That could prove costly towards the end of the game. I anticipate that Mark van Bommel would take a draw now if it was offered to him so I wouldn’t be surprised to see PSV ‘shut up shop’ come the end of the game if they are not losing, as they attempt to conserve players’ energy. 1-1 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.
Mike’s prediction: PSV have 13 wins out of 13 so far but that run will come under pressure on Sunday in De Kuip. The home fans will be expecting to see their side give the league leaders a real game but their form recently has been poor despite the victories. For me, Feyenoord have been hard to watch all over the pitch so far this season and under Giovanni van Bronckhorst everything seems to have gone a bit stale. PSV go into the game on the back of their narrow loss to Barcelona in midweek and they now only have the league to concentrate on. With Lozano, Bergwijn and an in-form Luuk de Jong, PSV should have too much for the home side and I’m expecting them to carry on their winning streak. 1-2
Groningen v NAC Breda
Michael’s prediction: I fully expect Groningen to win this fixture. NAC are bottom and fighting a tough battle to survive already. Mimoun Mahi and Ritsu Doan caused Feyenoord plenty of trouble last weekend and deserved the draw that I predicted them to achieve. Doan and Mahi have improved confidence now to lead Groningen to victory. 2-0 | Tip: Doan to score.
Mike’s prediction: A relegation six-pointer already. Groningen had a tough start to the campaign but it seems to be turning around recently, mostly thanks to the form of the excellent Ritsu Doan. Groningen have the players to get them out of the bottom three, but on the other hand, NAC don’t. Bottom of the table and looking hopeless, it is going to be a long hard campaign for the away side. 3-1
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])
Week 11: 5 results* and 1 correct score | 4/8* betting tips won (WON versus secretary of England’s eighth division Matt Jones [4* results]) *=Feyenoord v VVV cancelled
Week 12: 6 results | 4/9 betting tips won (WON versus Sky Sports journalist Joshua Hayward [4 results])
Week 13: 5 results and 1 correct score | 6/9 betting tips won (LOST versus Northampton Town’s Dutch striker Kevin van Veen [6 results and 1 correct score])