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, editor and founder of Football-Oranje.
- by Michael Statham
- Follow Michael on Twitter @EredivisieMike
- Follow Michael Bell on Twitter @Michaeljbell09
Friday 8th February
NAC Breda v AZ
Michael’s prediction: A fierce home crowd awaits AZ, but apart from that, not a lot will threaten the visitors on Friday night. AZ should tighten their grip on fourth place with another win. NAC don’t have enough in any area of the pitch at the moment to overpower them. 1-3 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.
Michael B’s prediction: These two sides have
Saturday 9th February
Heracles v Ajax
Michael’s prediction: I think a typical Ajax away performance awaits here; not straight forward but a comfortable win in the end once Heracles tire. The home side will be dangerous at times with their technically-adept attacking players on show, but Ajax will be cruel on the counter-attack. 1-3 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.
Michael B’s prediction: A draw on the first weekend of the season got Ajax’s campaign off to a poor start but Heracles aren’t the same side and have been really poor recently. Heracles have lost three in a row and that will become four on Saturday. I think it will be close though. Ajax will be keen on getting the job done, ahead of a crucial Champions League clash in midweek. 1-2
Heerenveen v PEC Zwolle
Michael’s prediction: PEC Zwolle have three successive wins, albeit their most recent victory was rather fortuitous. Jaap Stam has seen a great turn around at the club, but I wonder whether Heerenveen bite back here. I fancy Sam Lammers to cause Thomas Lam and Bram van Polen – neither are centre-backs by trade – some problems. 2-1 | Tip: Lammers to score.
Michael B’s prediction: With Jaap Stam in charge, PEC Zwolle
VVV-Venlo v Willem II
Michael’s prediction: A truly mid-table match. Willem II will be filled with confidence following five away wins on the bounce in all competitions. VVV are generally a consistent Eredivisie team, so I can see this being quite an interesting match-up. 1-1 | Tip: Willem II double chance.
Michael B’s prediction: I really like the business that Willem II did in January and tip them as a team to watch in the second half of the season. I think Alexander Isak will get his first goal for the Tilburg club in an away victory. Don’t expect this game to be too exciting, though. 0-1
Feyenoord v De Graafschap
Michael’s prediction: Despite recent woes against lowly Eredivisie sides, Feyenoord can rely on a big difference in class to beat De Superboeren on Saturday. 4-0 | Tip: Feyenoord -1.5 Asian Handicap
Michael B’s prediction: Feyenoord slipping up at Excelsior last weekend was predictable given their form so far this season but De Graafschap offers the hosts a good chance to get back to winning ways. Van Persie has been in excellent form in 2019 and I expect him to inspire his side once again. 2-0
Sunday 10th February
Fortuna Sittard v Excelsior
Michael’s prediction: Fortuna may be low on confidence after their 5-0 defeat at PSV whilst Excelsior will feel great after beating Feyenoord. However, I reckon Fortuna will use home advantage to get three points on the board. 2-0 | Tip: Home win.
Michael B’s prediction: Fortuna have been poor defensively since the winter break and have lost captain Wessel Dammers through injury. Excelsior looked great in their win at Feyenoord and I expect them to record another three points. 1-2
Emmen v ADO Den Haag
Michael’s prediction: ADO will be glad Tomas Necid scored a brace in their previous win; a timely victory to avoid slipping further down the rankings. Emmen will see this game as an opportunity but I think ADO will be buoyed by their last win and strike lucky. 1-2 | Tip: ADO draw no bet.
Michael B’s prediction: Two indifferent sides
Groningen v Vitesse
Michael’s prediction: Groningen’s form has really picked up and they look a different side to the one we saw in Autumn. They are earning far more results and fifteenth is a bit of a fake position for them right now. Speaking of which, I don’t think it’ll be long before Vitesse slip down the table. That said, Vitesse can feel hard-done by the VAR cancelling a goal to make it 3-1 and awarding Heerenveen a last minute penalty to make it 2-2. An interesting match which is difficult to call. 1-1 | Tip: Both teams to score.
Michael B’s prediction: Groningen should have Ritsu Doan back and with the encouraging form of Kaj Sierhuis up
Utrecht v PSV
Michael’s prediction: Four losses in a row and PSV up next, but the bad run won’t last long for Utrecht. I hope we get to see more of the talented Cody Gakpo for PSV, who may end up replacing Donyell Malen in the line-up following a goal and an assist in 45 minutes of football. I tipped Gakpo to make an impact in 2019 and we’re seeing the start of something special. Utrecht are a decent team, but as we saw when Ajax played them in De Galgenwaard, they don’t have enough quality to truly trouble the top opponents despite having some good, top six players. 0-2 | Tip: PSV -1.5 Asian handicap.
Michael B’s prediction: It’s a crisis at the moment for Utrecht, who have lost four in a row and will be without the suspended Riechedly Bazoer and Urby Emanuelson. PSV come to town on the back of a good result and should have Hirving Lozano back and are optimistic that Steven Bergwijn’s injury isn’t too serious. Luuk de Jong is in great form and he will fire PSV to another win. 1-4
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])
Week 18: 3 results | 6/9 betting tips won (LOST versus FC Utrecht e-Sporter Danny Hazebroek)
Week 19: 4 results and 1 correct score | 2/9 betting tips won (WON versus Football-Oranje.com writer Alex Royal [1 result])
Week 20: 5 results | 8/9 betting tips won (WON versus BN DeStem Voetbal journalist Maarten Elst [3 results])