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, for the special midweek round, it’s the voice of Dutch football in the United Kingdom, Jonathan Beck. Jonathan is the voiceover for Eredivisie highlights shows in the UK and commentates on Eredivisie games on a regular basis for IMG Media – available every week in the UK on Premier Sports.

  • by Michael Statham
  • Follow Michael on Twitter @EredivisieMike

Tuesday 23rd April

De Graafschap v Emmen

Michael’s prediction: De Graafschap could close the gap to Emmen, and Eredivisie safety, to three points (with two games left) with a win here. Emmen will play safe and be confident that player of the season Anco Jansen can create an opening against a clumsy defence. De Graafschap’s defending saw them lose 4-1 to VVV at the weekend, but their attacking created several dangerous opportunities. 2-2 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

Jonathan’s prediction: Emmen’s recent upturn in form has taken them to the verge of safety and come at a bad time for De Graafschap who are now 5 points adrift. With their final 2 games coming against Vitesse and Ajax they simply have to get something in this one. They were very good for long spells against PSV and proved how good they can be at home too last time out at De Vijverberg with a 1-1 draw against AZ. 2-1

AZ v Heracles

Michael’s prediction: Even though AZ have played relatively poorly in the last four games, they’ll still be favourites to beat fifth-placed Heracles. I wonder how much the Almelo side will exploit the space left by AZ in midfield. I watched Heracles beat Heerenveen on Friday and the forwards look confident even at this late stage of the season. AZ should still get a goal or two though against the only top seven side with a negative goal difference. 2-2 | Tip: Heracles double chance.

Jonathan’s prediction: Heracles could yet pip AZ to 4th place, after beating Heerenveen last time out. But at home AZ surely have to be better than they were in a disappointing 2nd half at Feyenoord, even given their current four-match winless run. 2-1

Heerenveen v VVV-Venlo

Michael’s prediction: Heerenveen are lacking inspiration at the moment; hopefully they can get Sam Lammers and Michel Vlap on the ball as much as possible to excite a disappointed home crowd. I expect a low quality match and a narrow home win. 1-0 | Tip: VVV +1.5 Asian handicap.

Jonathan’s prediction: A late-season mid-table match-up with both sides clear of trouble but also looking just too far away to gate-crash the Europa League play-offs. Heerenveen’s home record this season has been very disappointing but VVV have also had patchy form, and are finishing the season only slightly better than they did 12 months ago. 1-1

Ajax v VitesseWATCH LIVE ON PREMIER SPORTS 2

Michael’s prediction: I have a feeling that Ajax’s intense schedule means that they drop points in the league or they fail to win the cup final – just a feeling. All of Ajax’s domestic games look winnable though, meaning a domestic double if they do so. Vitesse are always stronger against top opposition; perhaps the suspension of the flailing Alexander Buttner is actually a blessing in disguise. The Vitesse defence has been weathered by a long season though and that’s what makes the difference for me – there’s injuries with will disrupt the regular rhythm in a difficult game. 3-1 | Tip: Ajax team goals over 1.5.

Jonathan’s prediction: Having ground out a very valuable win at Groningen, Ajax should find things easier at home against Vitesse, who finally ended their long sequence of draws with a convincing win over PEC Zwolle. 3-1

Wednesday 24th April

Utrecht v Fortuna Sittard

Michael’s prediction: Usually a solid Eredivisie outfit at home, Utrecht are fading away towards the end of the campaign. Fortuna fans celebrated Eredivisie safety at the weekend – Lazarus Lamprou again vital to help them beat NAC. It’s tricky to call this one but I’ll go for a slim Utrecht victory. 1-0 | Tip: Fortuna +1.5 Asian handicap.

Jonathan’s prediction: Predicting Utrecht results has become difficult in recent weeks – who would’ve seen a 2-0 loss at Emmen and a 5-0 mauling in The Hague coming? But they’ve been much better at home, and although Fortuna need the points to pull further away from the bottom three, I think this could be the game where Utrecht get back on track. 4-0

PEC Zwolle v Groningen

Michael’s prediction: After each goal that PEC conceded against Vitesse, the players looked at each other in disbelief; players waltzed around the pitch nonchalantly and Bram van Polen was woeful in his marking of hat-trick hero Bryan Linssen. Groningen have been brilliant since Christmas and now have both the third best defence in the league and the third best Eredivisie record since the turn of the year. You have to fancy them to grind out another win – this team looks far more motivated than PEC Zwolle. 0-2 | Tip: Groningen away win.

Jonathan’s prediction: PEC Zwolle are all but safe with a final set of fixtures that should allow plenty of breathing room. Groningen made life difficult for Ajax and could yet sneak into the play-off mix, but they’ll need to win here if so….however it’s 7 games since they scored more than once, so it’s hard to see many goals in this one. 0-0

NAC Breda v FeyenoordWATCH LIVE ON PREMIER SPORTS 2

Michael’s prediction: NAC players and supporters looked devastated after they fought hard but lost again on Sunday. Last chance saloon? They have to hope Feyenoord have a particularly poor off-day to grab victory. 1-2 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

Jonathan’s prediction: Their recent record against Feyenoord is remarkably good but it’s hard to see NAC Breda getting anything from this one, with Feyenoord now sitting comfortably in 3rd place. 0-3

Thursday 25th April

ADO Den Haag v Excelsior

Michael’s prediction: Excelsior travel to The Hague with a little more confidence after stopping the rot of seven straight defeats on Saturday. Can they grind out a win at ADO? I don’t think so. ADO have been playing uninspiring football of late but will have the home crowd to energise them. 2-0 | Tip: El Khayati to score at any time.

Jonathan’s prediction: Sneaking a stoppage time point against Willem II last time out should give Excelsior a boost in their bid to avoid the relegation play-offs, but having lost their previous seven – scoring only four times – it’s hard to see them getting the better of an ADO side who appear to be finishing the season well. 3-1

Willem II v PSVWATCH LIVE ON PREMIER SPORTS 2

Michael’s prediction: PSV must win their last games: simple as that. Is this game simple? No. Cup finalists Willem II are gelling as a unit and not only Alexander Isak has offered a goal-scoring threat recently. AZ and Heracles also offer tough opposition to PSV’s title hopes and with the negativity surrounding the squad and Mark van Bommel, I just can’t see the Eindhoven side lifting the ‘schaal’. This game could even be where PSV slip and expose midfield woes. 1-1 | Tip: Willem II double chance.

Jonathan’s prediction: Willem II’s last game before their Dutch Cup final date with Ajax is a tough one – but the way they’re playing they could cause PSV plenty of problems. Their only defeat in seven came against Ajax, and if Alexander Isak can continue his fine form they could do the league leaders a real favour. A repeat of last season’s 5-0 win though would be too much for Ajax to hope for. I think PSV will just sneak it. 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])

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])

Week 21: 4 results and 1 correct score | 4/9 betting tips won (DRAW versus Football-Oranje.com editor Michael Bell [5 results])

Week 22: 6 results and 1 correct score | 5/9 betting tips won (WON versus Dutch football tipster Crypto [4 results])

Week 23: 4 results | 5/9 betting tips won (LOST versus Football-Oranje.com writer Alex Royal [5 results])

Week 24: 8 results and 2 correct scores (+ Ajax v PEC Zwolle postponed) | 5/9 betting tips won (WON versus FC Groningen clubwatcher Merijn Slagter [7 results and 1 correct score])

Week 25: 8 results and 2 correct scores | 6/9 betting tips won (WON versus Eredivisie scout Xander Wilkinson [6 results and 1 correct score])

Week 26: 4 results and 1 correct score | 6/9 betting tips won (WON versus Pilka w Holandi writer Adam Sankowski [4 results])

Week 27: 4 results | 6/9 bettings tips won [1 void] (LOST versus IMG Media commentator Richard Connelly)

Week 28: 6 results and 1 correct score | 6/9 betting tips won (WON versus commentator Paul Thomas Clay [4 results])

Week 29: 6 results | 2/9 betting tips won (DRAW versus Football-Oranje editor and founder Michael Bell [6 results])

Week 30: 3 results | 3/9 betting tips won (LOST versus Football-Oranje writer James Rowe [8 results and 1 correct score])

Week 31: 5 results and 2 correct scores | 5/9 betting tips won (DRAW versus Out of Context Eredivisie’s Yorin Schrader [5 results and 2 correct scores])




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.