Eredivisie Predictions & Betting 19/20: Round 11 (vs Lee Cattermole)

Every week in the 2019/20 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 week, it’s VVV-Venlo’s English midfielder Lee Cattermole. The former Sunderland player gave his predictions as part of an exclusive interview with Football-Oranje, which will available to watch this weekend.

• by Michael Statham
• Follow Michael on Twitter @EredivisieMike

Friday, 25th October

FC Twente v FC Emmen – Delayed airing on Premier Sports 2

Michael’s prediction: I toyed with the idea of both of these teams winning on Friday night, so that’s why I’m going with a draw to kick off the weekend’s action. Twente must end a run of four successive defeats, the most recent of which they were surprisingly second best to mid-table Willem II. Meanwhile Emmen turned around a shocking first-half to win yet again at home (to Fortuna Sittard). Usually, Twente use home advantage to win these kinds of games, but I think this one will be close. 1-1 | Tip: Both teams to score.

Lee’s prediction: Tricky one because Emmen have just come back off a win. 3-1

Saturday, 26th October

Willem II v RKC Waalwijk

Michael’s prediction: Going off the evidence from RKC’s narrow defeat to Ajax, the points are definitely coming for the league’s bottom team, who finally look adjusted to Eredivisie level. I reckon this will either be a draw or a narrow home win. 3-2 | Tip: Both teams to score.

Lee’s prediction: 2-0

Vitesse Arnhem v ADO Den Haag – Delayed airing on Premier Sports 1 & 2

Michael’s prediction: Usually these two teams are more evenly matched, but third versus sixteenth after ten games of the season suggests Vitesse should be contuining their excellent start to the campaign. Manager Leonid Slutsky says his team have been somewhat ‘lucky’ until now and that improvement is still to come. 2-0 | Tip: Vitesse team goals +1.5.

Lee’s prediction: 1-0

Fortuna Sittard v VVV-Venlo

Michael’s prediction: Fortuna have finally found some bounce and bite about their side. I think there’s plenty more to come from Sjors Ultee’s men. They come up against a VVV team who I think will be careful and considered about their approach to this game, given that a loss sees them slip into the bottom three and they have only scored once in their last four outings. 1-1 | Tip: Under 2.5 goals.

Lee’s prediction: Tricky one! I don’t like calling my own game but I fancy us to win. I won’t put a score. I don’t even like commenting on my own games but I’m confident going into the game! VVV win.

Heracles Almelo v PEC Zwolle

Michael’s prediction: Heracles seem to be growing some decent players. I’ve already mentioned striker Cyriel Dessers and midfielder Mauro Junior in recent weeks; left-back Lennart Czyborra and all-action midfielder Orestis Kiomourtzoglou have caught the eye too, Kiomourtzoglou has been tenacious on many occasions to win the ball back from the opposition and his tenacity kept him fighting in the penalty area to net the equaliser against Feyenoord last weekend. I think they’ll play a pacey game against Zwolle and win quite comfortably. 4-2 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

Lee’s prediction: I like Heracles, I think they’re a good team. 2-1

Sunday, 27th October

Heerenveen v FC Groningen

Michael’s prediction: This ‘derby of the north’ is always so difficult to predict. It always has a mid-table flavour to it that makes it so unpredictable! Three wins in a row is really good going for Heerenveen and I spoke recently about how their attack is beginning to click. Groningen though, whilst they haven’t won away since August, are a pretty solid side. I know that Danny Buijs will set his side up to frustrate Heerenveen, just like he did against Ajax and PSV who both had trickier evenings than anticipated against Groningen. The away side aren’t really a big threat in an attacking sense, but they’ll look to capitalise on any errors on the counter-attack. 0-1 | Tip: Groningen double chance.

Lee’s prediction: Draw. 1-1

Sparta Rotterdam v FC Utrecht

Michael’s prediction: Sparta were surprisingly lacklustre in their defeat at Groningen. I hope we see a reaction from Henk Fraser’s charges against Utrecht, or we’re in for a boring afternoon. Utrecht can stumble in tricky away fixtures such as this that most expect them to win. John van den Brom’s men will be looking to build upon that famous win over PSV here. 1-2 | Tip: Utrecht draw no bet.

Lee’s prediction: 1-2

PSV v AZ Alkmaar – Delayed airing on Premier Sports 2

Michael’s prediction: AZ love to give the traditional top three a run for their money. An exciting Sunday encounter awaits, where the best of AZ can go toe-to-toe with a team they think they can rival this season. Thursday night’s Europa League action is sure to take some energy out of this game, particularly from an AZ point of view. That said, I would have backed Steven Bergwijn and Donyell Malen to beat AZ’s defenders in the 1v1 duels late in the game; however, both Bergwijn and Malen are doubts for the game. I think the Alkmaar side will arrive in Eindhoven in a spirited mood. I’m particularly concerned by the away side’s efforts from set-pieces in their 2-4 defeat against Heerenveen – three conceded efforts were from corners – but a 6-0 win over Astana is sure to give them confidence. I think there will be goals, but it’s so tough to choose a winner. I’m going to predict that Malen and Bergwijn are missing and AZ take advantage. 1-2 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

Lee’s prediction: 2-2

Ajax v Feyenoord – Delayed airing on Premier Sports 2

Michael’s prediction: It would be so typical of Feyenoord to turn on their A-game in Amsterdam and return to Rotterdam with a result. Ajax’s clear strength advantage makes it easier than ever to point to a home win – but with Feyenoord this season you just never know! The sensible money is still on an Ajax win, with forward players such as Dusan Tadic and Quincy Promes coming into great form as the Autumn progresses; nevertheless, the deficiencies I often allude to on the Football-Oranje podcast regarding their defensive worries remain. A lucky break and Feyenoord win a point, but I am still going to predict a narrow home victory. 2-1 | Tip: Tadic to score at any time.

Lee’s prediction: Ajax are a great team. I know they struggled a bit at the weekend but they still got the job done coming off the back of international week. They have the best way of playing football in the league. PSV are clinical with a lot of pace but what I’ve seen of Ajax: different class. Feyenoord aren’t at the level of Ajax. 3-0

How has Michael done so far?

Week 1: 2 results + 5/9 correct betting tips | Lost versus Derby County goalkeeper Kelle Roos [6 results]

Week 2: 5 results + 3/9 betting tips | Lost versus Football Manager head researcher Jeroen Thijssen [5 results & 1 correct score]

Week 3: 4 results & 1 correct score + 5/9 betting tips | Won versus ED journalist and PSV-watcher Rik Elfrink [4 results]

Week 4: **2 results & 1 correct score + 4/6 betting tips | Lost versus ED journalist Chris Ottens [**3 results] **reduced schedule of only 6 matches

Week 5: 4 results + 6/9 betting tips | Won versus commentator Phil Blacker [3 results & 1 correct score]

Week 6: 6 results & 1 correct score + 7/9 betting tips | Lost versus EiF founder & journalist Marc Gerschwind [8 results & 2 correct scores]

Week 7: 5 results & 1 correct score + 5/9 betting tips | Won versus commentator Jonathan Beck [4 results]

Week 8: 5 results + 5/9 betting tips | Lost versus commentator Paul Thomas Clay [6 results & 1 correct score]

Week 9: 6 results & 1 correct score + 4/9 betting tips | Won versus “Eredivisie Out of Context’s” Yorin Schrader [5 results]

Week 10: 2 results + 2/9 betting tips | Lost versus Eredivisie scout Xander Wilkinson [3 results]