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 Joeri Gosens, who is a freelance football graphic designer (whose website you can visit here).

  • by Michael Statham
  • Follow Michael on Twitter @EredivisieMike
  • Follow Joeri on Twitter @FootyGraphic

Friday, 1st November

PEC Zwolle v Ajax – Delayed airing on Premier Sports 2

Michael’s prediction: Ajax will look to exploit the space that PEC Zwolle left behind in their comprehensive defeat to Heracles last weekend. This game doesn’t need analysing further – Ajax should win more than comfortably. 1-4 | Tip: Ajax -1.5 Asian handicap.

Joeri’s prediction: The easiest prediction for me, Ajax is in good form, PEC not so much. I don’t see any problem for Ajax here. 0-4

Saturday, 2nd November

RKC Waalwijk v Heracles Almelo

Michael’s prediction: This is RKC’s chance for a first win of the season. They have improved in the last few weeks in their Eredivisie game management, but we’re talking about a big gap in quality getting only slightly smaller. Emmen, Heerenveen and Twente are to visit Waalwijk before Christmas. Heracles beat RKC 4-3 in the week (at home) to reach the next round of the Dutch Cup; they are well capable of scoring goals. 2-2 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

Joeri’s prediction: I hear everyone talking on how RKC ‘plays well’ but doesn’t get any points, to be fair I’m not that impressed by the way RKC is playing and especially how easily they concede. Heracles have started good and I see them getting the win. 1-3

Sparta Rotterdam v PSVDelayed airing on Premier Sports 2

Michael’s prediction: Given how PSV have struggled with injuries, suspensions and form in the last couple of weeks, it’s understandable that they have lost to Utrecht (3-0) and AZ (0-4). However, Mark van Bommel has to do better with his squad of players, for me, and work hard to grind out results. I think he’ll manage to do that this weekend because of the bigger gap in quality between Sparta and PSV. 0-1 | Tip: Under 2.5 goals.

Joeri’s prediction: PSV had a couple of rough weeks with all the red cards and two losses in a row. I think they will recover against Sparta, the difference in quality is too big for them to lose points here. 0-2

AZ Alkmaar v FC Twente – Delayed airing on Premier Sports 2

Michael’s prediction: I think the AZ train will continue to steam forwards this Saturday and beat Twente. They made it look easy against PSV in their 0-4 victory; PSV were missing some key players but I was impressed with the style of football and movement they exercised in Eindhoven. On that evidence, and given how rapidly the young AZ players are developing this season, I would suggest they are now the closest rivals for Ajax this season for the title, but certainly more so for second position – they are getting better and better. 3-1 | Tip: AZ team goals +1.5.

Joeri’s prediction: For this game I’m going for AZ, I do think that despite the current standing the game is going to be closer than you’d expect. 2-1

Sunday, 3rd November

FC Emmen v Vitesse Arnhem

Michael’s prediction: Against Twente, I thought Emmen competed well but lacked a cutting edge, then they lost 4-1! In the end, I think Emmen will fight hard to stay up, and I reckon they’ll get another result here. Richedly Bazoer rebounded after his bust-up in training for a man-of-the-match performance in the cup for Vitesse in midweek. He could be important again. 2-1 | Tip: Both teams to score.

Joeri’s prediction: I’m still confused about how Vitesse had such a good start to the season and ended up losing to ADO. On the other hand Emmen don’t look too bad and especially at home they’ve been getting some results. I think this will end level. 2-2

VVV-Venlo v Feyenoord – Delayed airing on Premier Sports 2

Michael’s prediction: VVV are in turmoil at the moment. I interviewed Lee Cattermole last week (you can watch it below), and he spoke of the positivity surrounding the players in training. I fear something may have since turned and the negative spiral will only get worse. Robert Maaskant has come in for criticism in the past as an Eredivisie manager – the defeats to local rivals Fortuna Sittard (4-1) and amateur side Groene Ster in the cup really will have damaged his reputation further. Feyenoord have already changed their manager, with Jaap Stam giving way to Dick Advocaat – a steady pair of hands in the Netherlands. He has work to do for sure, starting with a victory here. 1-2 | Tip: Both teams to score.

Joeri’s prediction: Everyone will be talking about Advocaat and how he’ll get Feyenoord back on track and I also think Feyenoord will win here, but I mostly think so because VVV is shocking. The cup loss against Groene Ster won’t boost their confidence either so I can’t see them doing anything against Feyenoord here. 0-3

FC Utrecht v Fortuna Sittard

Michael’s prediction: Utrecht can go from a mediocre Eredivisie team to one of the best, depending on how they decide to perform on the day. That’s why I wonder if a gelling Fortuna Sittard team can grab a couple of goals on the counter-attack. The doubts remain though over their defence. 3-1 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

Joeri’s prediction: I like Utrecht and think they won’t have too many problems with Fortuna. 3-1

Groningen v Willem II

Michael’s prediction: Groningen are the tied third lowest scorers in the division (13), but they will keep this one tight and hope to pinch this 1-0. Willem II are more ambitious when impressing on the counter attack with their pacey front three. 1-1 | Tip: Both teams to score.

Joeri’s prediction: My favourite team Willem II is playing away from home in Groningen. We’ve had the best season start in ages and even though our play doesn’t always look too fancy, we got a team that’s willing to put in a fight. Let’s hope we can get our third win in a row in Groningen. 0-2

ADO Den Haag v Heerenveen

Michael’s prediction: I have been impressed with Joey Veerman’s introduction to the Heerenveen midfield. I think that the visitors will have plenty of possession and Sven Botman will marshall Michiel Kramer well. Therefore, an away victory. 1-2 | Tip: Heerenveen double chance.

Joeri’s prediction: I’m not too sure on these sides to be honest, haven’t seen that much of them yet so find this one really hard to predict. I’m going to go for a Heerenveen win. 0-1

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]

Week 11: 5 results and 1 correct score + 6/9 betting tips | Lost versus VVV-Venlo midfielder Lee Cattermole [6 results and 2 correct scores]




Michael Statham (802 Posts)

Writer/interviewer/YouTuber for Football-Oranje. Massive Dutch football fan from the UK. Follow me @EredivisieMike & subscribe to Football-Oranje on YouTube.