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 Notts County’s Dutch winger Enzio Boldewijn, who gave his predictions following an exclusive interview with Football-Oranje which you can watch by clicking here.
- by Michael Statham
- Follow Michael on Twitter @EredivisieMike
- Follow Enzio on Twitter @EnzioBoldewijn
Saturday 15th September
De Graafschap v VVV-Venlo
Michael’s prediction: Henk de Jong and co will be disappointed they couldn’t pick up more points against NAC (L 3-0), Groningen (L 0-1) and Emmen (D 1-1). This is another winnable fixture, but VVV are not easy to beat. 1-1 | Tip: VVV double chance.
Enzio’s prediction: I’ll go for De Graafschap. I know a few players there, they seem to do well. 1-0
ADO Den Haag v PSV
Michael’s prediction: ADO have been involved in the most goal-packed games so far this season, scoring and conceding a total of 19 goals over their four games. Against PSV, I would suggest trying to stifle them is the best way of getting a result. However, that has been difficult to do so far this season. I expect a few goals but PSV will overcome a tough challenge in the Hague. 1-3 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.
Enzio’s prediction: They’re playing away from home but they’re very dominant. I don’t think they will make any mistakes. 1-3
Ajax v Groningen
Michael’s prediction: It’s been an awful start for Danny Buijs at Groningen and it could be about to get worse. It’s these games where you don’t expect a result where you can be surprised. However, I think Ajax have turned a corner, they have more maturity against complacency to beat the league’s lesser sides. I actually think if Ajax can pick at Groningen’s weaknesses, it could get embarrassing. 5-1 | Tip: Ajax -1.5 Asian handicap.
Enzio’s prediction: I’m an Ajax fan! I’m from Amsterdam. I see them play every week and at home they’re so dominant it’s hard to win there. 2-0
Willem II v Excelsior
Michael’s prediction: Willem II can write off their 6-1 defeat to PSV. In attack, they gave it a go and looked good again. They’ll concentrate on their previous 5-0 win over Heracles to guide their performance here. Excelsior face a tough game. 3-1 | Tip: Willem II -1.5 Asian handicap.
Enzio’s prediction: I’ll go for Willem II. They have a very good striker, Fran Sol. They’ll play a very good game and they’ll win. 2-1
Sunday 16th September
AZ v Feyenoord
Michael’s prediction: Are AZ finding it more difficult this season? I think there are more mistakes within this team, for example, Ron Vlaar is a fantastic defender on his day, but for all his headers won and big tackles, he makes costly mistakes around the penalty area and his age and injuries have lead to a lack of pace in behind. Luckily, Robin van Persie isn’t quick either but Feyenoord will be keen to exploit any mistakes. AZ need to up their game in attack too – this is where I would start new striker Bjorn Johnsen and go on the front foot from kick-off. Feyenoord have leaked goals far too easily this season. 2-1 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.
Enzio’s prediction: That’s a big one. That’s difficult. I’ll go for Feyenoord to win. 1-2
Heerenveen v Heracles
Michael’s prediction: I’m not expecting a high quality match between these two teams given how they’ve played thus far, particularly Heracles who are simply not the same away from home. A draw is an easy prediction for me but not a confident one. 1-1 | Tip: Both teams to score.
Enzio’s prediction: They’re both teams who have not had a good start to the season but Heracles made a huge mistake two weeks ago and I’ll have to see if they’re coming past that. 2-1
Utrecht v Emmen
Michael’s prediction: Utrecht surprised me by sacking Jean-Paul de Jong so early in the campaign, but it seems he didn’t have the players behind him. Dick Advocaat is a safe pair of hands but not a show of ambition by a club who harbour long-term aspirations to finish consistently in the top five. They will comfortably beat Emmen though on Sunday. 3-0 | Tip: Utrecht -1.5 Asian handicap.
Enzio’s prediction: That’s Utrecht for me – my old team. Very difficult start for them and their trainer got sacked there last week – my old coach. I didn’t really know what happened there, he was a club legend and a very determined person. It’s a bit surprising. 2-0
NAC Breda v Fortuna Sittard
Michael’s prediction: The league’s two bottom sides who will both be fighting for survival in the coming months. Fortuna also face Willem II, Emmen and De Graafschap before the end of October – I think we’ll see them grow in confidence and strikers Semedo and Novakovich will find some form. I’m predicting a first win for Fortuna. 1-2 | Tip: Fortuna Sittard double chance.
Enzio’s prediction: NAC…They have the fans behind them. 3-0
PEC Zwolle v Vitesse
Michael’s prediction: If Vitesse wish to challenge the top four, then they must win trickier games like this. PEC have only three points to show from their first four matches but they are still a good team at home. I had been seriously impressed by Slutsky’s work in Arnhem until a poor performance against Ajax – the defence was all over the place. I expect a much better display here and Linssen to be important again and grab all three points for Vitesse. 1-2 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.
Enzio’s prediction: I’ll go for Vitesse. Vitesse’s attack is very dangerous with Bryan Linssen. PEC Zwolle also didn’t have a good start and Vitesse will dominate the game. 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])
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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.
