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 Danny Hazebroek, who is the official FIFA e-Sporter for Eredivisie side FC Utrecht.
Friday 18th January
Vitesse v Excelsior
Michael’s prediction: Vitesse, along with manager Leonid Slutsky, were under a bit of pressure before Christmas to achieve better results and play more entertaining football. Due to Excelsior’s woeful defensive record – 45 conceded at the half-way stage is the highest in the Eredivisie – I have to fancy the home side to score enough to win this game. 2-1 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.
Danny’s prediction: Vitesse are strong at home, this is a match they need to win if they want to get to the top 4. It won’t be easy because it’s the first match after the break but I think that they will do the job. 2-1
Saturday 19th January
AZ v Utrecht
Michael’s prediction: This should be a cracking game between two of ‘the best of the rest’. Despite only three points separating these two sides, I think that Utrecht are the stronger team at the moment thanks to Dick Advocaat’s managerial touch. Because of Advocaat, I don’t see Utrecht losing here, which would be an important result in their attempt for a top four finish. Even though AZ will have more possession and shots, Utrecht should keep them at bay and take advantage of AZ’s inevitable defensive errors. 2-2 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.
Danny’s prediction: I think this is a very exciting match to watch! AZ need the points but Utrecht want to stay in the top 4. I guess AZ will be the one dominating the game but Utrecht, with fast strikers up front, are strong on the counter attack. I forecast a draw. 1-1
ADO Den Haag v VVV-Venlo
Michael’s prediction: A mid-table match where I reckon both teams would take a point if offered to them now. However, I have a feeling that VVV may take all three points here if ADO are slow from the start of the match. Should VVV make the most of that, they are great at defending a lead. 0-1 | Tip: VVV double chance.
Danny’s prediction: This one is quite difficult. I think it will be a boring game to watch. Both teams will not be 100% conditionally ready. 0-0
PEC Zwolle v Feyenoord
Michael’s prediction: Despite Feyenoord enduring a poor season so far (even if they still sit in third), I don’t see PEC Zwolle being much of a problem for the Rotterdammers. PEC have not shown much attacking impetus this season and they are hardly tight at the back. Feyenoord are stronger all over the pitch; it won’t be easy though. 1-2 | Tip: Both teams to score.
Danny’s prediction: PEC had a rough start to the first half of the season. The second half I think they will improve. Saturday at home they will strong. On the other side, Feyenoord are usually not as good at away games. I think PEC will suprise and win this game! 2-0
Groningen v Heracles
Michael’s prediction: Groningen have bolstered their squad with six new signings at the time of writing. The response won’t be instant but they will be hoping to continue their mini-revival they had towards the end of Autumn. They’re a more competitive side again. Heracles will pose a threat on the counter-attack but I see this as a good day in waiting for the home team. 2-0 | Tip: Groningen draw no bet.
Danny’s prediction: Groningen were very poor the first half of the season whilst Heracles suprised and did very well. Groningen have to be awake and start well to stay in the Eredivisie. I think they will shine in this game and dominate Heracles. 3-1
Sunday 20th January
Willem II v NAC Breda
Michael’s prediction: Willem II top goalscorer Fran Sol confirmed a transfer this week to Dynamo Kiev. Sol was too good for the Tilburgers but it’s a shame to lose the Spaniard before the end of the season, and I’m sure Willem II fans will suddenly become worried of a genuine danger of the drop. NAC have won seven points from their last nine available and I think they could take advantage of the unrest at Willem II because of Sol’s departure. 1-2 | Tip: NAC double chance.
Danny’s prediction: This is a special game a very exciting derby! And you know what they say: ‘in a derby everything can happen’! But at the end of the day, I think Willem II will receive the 3 points. 3-2
De Graafschap v Fortuna Sittard
Michael’s prediction: De Graafschap are really struggling to remain in the Eredivisie and I don’t think it’ll be long until they fall further behind at the bottom of the table. Fortuna are one of the Eerste Divisie sides they came up with last season and I believe that’ll give De Graafschap confidence that they can beat the fellow newly promoted side. Fortuna have more quality but De Superboeren will fight on their home turf. 2-2 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.
Danny’s prediction: A big game at the bottom of the table. Both teams need the points. I think Fortuna have a better team than De Graafschap. That’s why I think they will win this game. 1-2
Emmen v PSV
Michael’s prediction: Emmen supporters always looked forward to these kinds of days against the best that the Netherlands has to offer. PSV will be confident of victory and it’s up to Bergwijn and co to turn up when a win is heavily anticipated by all quarters. 0-3 | Tip: PSV -1.5 Asian handicap.
Danny’s prediction: What can I say, PSV are in amazing form and Emmen are one of the worst teams in the Eredivisie. This will be a walkover for the boys from Eindhoven to work on their goal difference. 0-5
Ajax v Heerenveen
Michael’s prediction: Ajax will also be strongly fancied to win this weekend…of course. Heerenveen still hold the third best atack in the league (according to goals scored, at least) but they won’t have the midfield robustness to create enough chances in Amsterdam. Ajax will score early and win well. 4-1 | Tip: Ajax winning HT and FT.
Danny’s prediction: Ajax are perhaps in the best form of all teams in the Dutch league. Heerenveen are doing better but Ajax is a step too big for them. It will be an easy win for Ajax. 3-0
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])
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])
Week 14: 4 results | 7/9 betting tips won (DRAW versus Football-Oranje.com editor Michael Bell [4 results])
Week 15: 5 results | 8/9 betting tips won (WON versus writer Alex Moretto)
Week 16: 5 results and 1 correct score | 5/9 betting tips won (WON versus Football-Oranje.com writer James Rowe [4 results])
Week 17: 5 results and 1 correct score | 5/9 betting tips won (WON versus ZiggoSport editor Joep Smeets [4 results and 1 correct score])
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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.
