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 Norwegian commentator Paul Thomas Clay, who commentates on the Eredivisie, amongst other competitions such as the Champions League, for Viasat.

  • by Michael Statham
  • Follow Michael on Twitter @EredivisieMike
  • Follow Paul on Twitter @ptclay

Friday 5th October

Utrecht v NAC Breda

Michael’s prediction: Utrecht will surely win this match. Advocaat has had more time with his new team and despite NAC’s brave performance in their 0-2 defeat to PSV, they are a really poor side, especially away from home. 2-0 | Tip: Utrecht home win.

PT’s prediction: I always try to look for positives, but with these to teams it’s really difficult. Utrecht’s last match vs. Groningen wasn’t all that bad, and this weekend’s match against NAC is a golden opportunity to get their season (back) on track. Won’t be easy though, NAC are in equally dire need of points. 2-1

Saturday 6th October

ADO Den Haag v Groningen

Michael’s prediction: ADO manager Alfons Groenendijk said after the away draw with Heerenveen that it’s a sign of progress the fact that they were disappointed with only one point. So fans will be expecting to beat Groningen who are still really struggling to get their campaign started. I think the encouraging point against Utrecht may help Groningen earn another result in the Hague. 1-1 | Tip: Both teams to score.

PT’s prediction: A mixed bag of results for the home team so far, but two points gained from two difficult away matches should give some confidence. Groningen increased their points tally by 33 percent after the comeback against Utrecht last week, but I struggle to see them taking anything away from this one. 3-0

PEC Zwolle v Excelsior

Michael’s prediction: I find this a tough match to call. PEC have struggled so far but four points from six will give them confidence. Excelsior will tick along nicely throughout the season whilst playing some tidy football in the process. I do think though that PEC will pick up their game to win this one – their defenders are stronger on the ball than off it which will be enough to see off Excelsior’s attackers. 2-1 | Tip: Both teams to score.

PT’s prediction: Seven points from their last four games, and Zwolle are fast-tracking up the table. But Excelsior are showing they are a hard team to beat of late, collecting five in their last three and even winning last time out. I think this will be a tight one. 1-1

PSV v VVV-Venlo

Michael’s prediction: VVV have enjoyed an impressive campaign this far, but they will be swept away by PSV in Eindhoven. PSV forced a very good game against Inter Milan mid-week and were unlucky not to get a result. PSV simply have too many pacy attacking options nowadays to be frustrated for a whole 90 minutes. 3-1 | Tip: PSV -1.5 Asian handicap.

PT’s prediction: Easiest prediction of week 8. Even though VVV have exceeded (at least my) expectations, I don’t think they stand a chance against PSV. It’s been a fantastic start to the Eredivisie season for van Bommel and his men, and the results in the Champions League don’t do them justice. They played well for a long period against Barcelona and gave Inter a good run for their money. 4-0

De Graafschap v Heerenveen

Michael’s prediction: In one sense, fifteen goals in exchange for one win all season is a really poor stat for Heerenveen. This match pits two fairly poor teams together, which could lead to mistakes and low quality – but certainly not a lack of goals! De Graafschap hit the post four times last weekend but still won 2-1. Are they finally growing into the Eredivisie? 2-2 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

PT’s prediction: The home side started the season with a bang, but failed to follow for the next five games, until an important win last time out against Willem II. However, I’m not confident they are good enough to stand up to Heerenveen. The visitors have scored in every game this far (2.14 avg.), but are struggling to win games. I think they’ll collect three points here though, but not without letting in goals (2.57 avg.). 2-3

Sunday 7th October

Emmen v Fortuna Sittard

Michael’s prediction: I was surprised how well Emmen grew into the game with Heracles last weekend. They almost grabbed a point. Because of that, this prediction is now a lot more difficult as I thought Fortuna would have won here thanks to their higher quality attacking players. I’m going for a not so confident draw. 1-1 | Tip: Both teams to score.

PT’s prediction: I am on thin ice here. I haven’t seen a lot of these two teams so far. More of guess than a prediction for this one. 1-1

Vitesse v Heracles

Michael’s prediction: I think this is the end of the Heracles gravy train. They’ve been playing some nice football but Vitesse is a tough away game for any team. That said, Vitesse do have seven first-team players out injured. It’ll be tighter than expected, in my opinion, but still quite a watchable affair, with the home side coming out on top. 1-0 | Tip: Vitesse to win.

PT’s prediction: I’ve known Slutsky for a long time and I’m sure given time he will steady the ship that is Vitesse. Not sure it starts against high-flying Heracles though. Hugely impressed by the late blooming Kristoffer Peterson. Has already surpassed his goal tally from last season, I don’t see him and his team stopping just yet. 1-2

Willem II v Feyenoord

Michael’s prediction: I was tempted by going for a draw here with Feyenoord’s defence seemingly out of confidence this season. However, Fernando Lewis was a liability at centre-back last weekend for Willem II and Robin van Persie is bang in form. 1-2 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

PT’s prediction: One of this weekend’s most interesting matches. Willem II scoring quite a lot of goals lately, but struggling to finish their opponent off. Feyenoord stepped on a mine at the opening weekend, but haven’t looked back since. I think Willem II will create difficulties for their visitors, maybe even grabbing a point. 2-2

Ajax v AZ

Michael’s prediction: My guest PT Clay echoes my sentiments for this match. Ajax were SUPERB in Munich on Tuesday. Can they repeat that level of performance? If they can even get half-way they should have enough to beat a talented AZ who just haven’t got their motor started yet this season. 3-1 | Tip: Over 3.5 goals.

PT’s prediction: Ajax away in Bavaria… Just wow! Deserved to win at the Allianz Arena. A huge confidence boost, as if the Amsterdammers ever needed one. A slight hick-up against PSV, but other than that looking good. AZ a bit disappointing so far, and meeting Ajax in Amsterdam at this point is the worst possible timing. 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])




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.