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 Alex Dieker, an Eredivisie analyst for TotalFootballAnalysis.com.

Last week, Michael beat author Ferdi Delies and won six out of nine betting tips.

  • by Michael Statham
  • Follow Michael on Twitter @EredivisieMike
  • Follow Alex on Twitter @adiek22

 

Friday 17th August

Groningen v Willem II

Michael’s prediction: A disappointing start for Groningen, they lost 5-1 to Vitesse. I still expect a positive year for them though and they should find a win here. They have very good attacking players for this level but maybe a defensive-midfielder is missing to protect a shakey back four. Still, they should have enough against an average Willem II.  2-1 | Tip: Both teams to score.

Alex’s prediction: Groningen suffered big time against Vitesse last week and Willem II always prove a challenge for the green and white. Willem II also lost on opening weekend, but VVV often struggled to contain Adrie Koster’s side. I think Mimoun Mahi and Ritsu Doan will carve out chances but ultimately fail to deliver three points in Groningen’s first home match of the campaign. 1-1

Saturday 18th August

NAC Breda v De Graafschap

Michael’s prediction: Last weekend, these teams endured different ends of the footalling spectrum. NAC a 5-0 defeat to AZ and De Graafschap a 2-0 win over Feyenoord. I have growing concerns for NAC this season, the goalkeeper and defenders are not Eredivisie-quality but they will battle in front of the first ‘Avondje NAC’ of the season. 1-1 | Tip: De Graafschap double chance.

Alex’s prediction: Henk de Jong’s De Graafschap managed a semi-miraculous victory over Feyenoord which will give them plenty of confidence heading to Breda. NAC’s embarrassing thrashing in Alkmaar means their confidence will be shot, but behind their brilliant fans anything is possible. De Graafschap’s firepower looks far superior to that of NAC, but I think the results will be reversed on Saturday. 2-1

VVV-Venlo v Ajax

Michael’s prediction: Ajax are very frustrating. They blew Standard Liege away mid-week but couldn’t beat Heracles before that. Many would question the players’ mentality – are they arrogant enough to ‘expect’ to win all their Eredivisie games? VVV acquitted themselves well to win away last weekend; Maurice Steijn’s men will make it tough for Ajax too. 0-2 | Tip: Huntelaar to score.

Alex’s prediction: VVV’s great win in Tilburg contrasts sharply with Ajax’s frustrating draw against Heracles, but the talent of Erik ten Hag’s squad is undeniable. European distractions won’t disrupt Ajax this time and De Koel could be witness to a thrashing of the home side. 0-5

Fortuna Sittard v PSV

Michael’s prediction: Fortuna learnt the difference between the Eerste Divisie and the Eredivisie in their draw at Excelsior. I have to say, PSV look on top form at the moment; Mark van Bommel has got his players fighting fit and confident for the new season. 0-3 | Tip: PSV -1.5 Asian handicap.

Alex’s prediction: PSV didn’t skip a beat during their managerial transition and scored freely against Utrecht. Fortuna scraped out a draw against Excelsior, but Mark van Bommel’s side will be a challenge two or three steps higher. With Hirving Lozano, Steven Bergwijn, and Gaston Pereiro firing on all cylinders Fortuna will be hard-pressed to win a point. 0-3

Heracles v ADO Den Haag

Michael’s prediction: Maybe I was wrong about Heracles? They’ve looked decent so far and by keeping Brandley Kuwas they will be expected to win this match with ADO, who are short of a striker at the moment. 2-0 | Tip: Heracles draw no bet.

Alex’s prediction: Heracles were perhaps lucky to draw in Amsterdam and Emmen similarly so in Den Haag, so we haven’t been able to see the true product of each team yet. I think both sides will struggle to keep each other’s attacking waves at bay. 2-2

Sunday 19th August

Utrecht v PEC Zwolle

Michael’s prediction: Despite a 4-0 defeat to PSV, I’d still predict Utrecht to enjoy a top six finish this season. PEC looked quite good in patches against Heerenveen – I think they’ll play even better here. Gustavo Hamer, Zian Flemming and Clint Lemmans may make for a vibrant midfield trio as this season progresses. 1-1 | Tip: Both teams to score.

Alex’s prediction: Utrecht always seem to struggle against PSV, so their blowout defeat last weekend doesn’t concern me as much as perhaps it should heading into this weekend. PEC Zwolle can count themselves unfortunate to lose against Heerenveen and I’m not sure an away trip to Utrecht is a great remedy for recovery. 1-0

Feyenoord v Excelsior

Michael’s prediction: Feyenoord need a win to set off their league campaign. Players are still unavailable which will make this Rotterdam derby a lot closer than in recent years. 2-1 | Tip: Excelsior +1.5 Asian handicap.

Alex’s prediction: For Gio van Bronckhorst’s Feyenoord, everything has been downhill recently. If they’re to avoid an early Eredivisie slump, they’ll need to win this Rotterdam derby against Excelsior. Their opponents have lost one of the league’s greatest coaches in Mitchell van der Gaag, so an away trip to De Kuip may not end in their favor. 2-1

Emmen v AZ

Michael’s prediction: Emmen’s players were low on fitness as they saw out a win at ADO last Sunday. A terrific win for them and some nice attacking play in the first half. They will enjoy similar space in this one, except Emmen will have to be more clinical with chances against AZ, who have responded well as a squad to their very early Europa League exit. 1-3 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

Alex’s prediction: Emmen’s shock victory in their maiden Eredivisie match could be either the beginning of a heartwarming story or a rare glimpse at success in an arduous season. Their performance at home against a talented AZ Alkmaar might be a better indication of their strengths and weaknesses. I fly out to the Netherlands Sunday night, but this match is going to be must-view TV before then; Emmen’s first Eredivisie bout at home in their history against a superb AZ side. 0-2

Heerenveen v Vitesse

Michael’s prediction: I expect this to be an entertaining match with plenty of goals. Vitesse will have played on Thursday but their attacking players such as Matus Bero, Hilary Gong and Bryan Linssen have offered a lot of excitement to supporters. Heerenveen’s best players are also in attack and it’ll be a test of how well Vitesse can take their chances but also prevent a revitalised Arber Zeneli from providing for Sam Lammers in the box.  2-3 | Tip: Over 3.5 goals

Alex’s prediction: Vitesse’s confidence heading to the Friesland will all depend on their match result in Basel, but I’d expect a strong Vitesse performance either way. Heerenveen will be without Morten Thorsby after his red card for hand-balling, but they played quite well against Zwolle away. Any result is possible, but my gut says Vitesse will start this season strong out of the gates. 2-3

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])




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.