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 writer Thom Bleijerveld, who offers tactical analysis for Tactipedia and Tussen De Linies.

  • by Michael Statham
  • Follow Michael on Twitter @EredivisieMike
  • Follow Thom on Twitter @tactipedia

Friday, 6th December

Ajax v Willem IIDelayed airing on Premier Sports 2

Michael’s prediction: Willem II sit proudly in fourth after beating Sparta Rotterdam 4-0 last weekend. I watched their convincing showing and I think they’re to be one of this season’s revelations; they play so well as a team. I’m sure the young attackers will relish the chance to stun Ajax on Friday, but Ajax continue to outscore their opponents. There were some poor lapses from Ajax in their 2-5 win at Twente last Sunday, but despite some attacking injury woes, they continue to impress in attack. 3-1 | Tip: Ajax team goals +2.5.

Thom’s prediction: Despite Willem II’s great season, this game in the Johan Cruijff Arena should be no trouble for Ajax. The only thing that could help Willem II is when the players of Ajax play with a lower intensity, due to the important Champions League game against Valencia next week. 4-1

Saturday, 7th December

ADO Den Haag v FC Twente

Michael’s prediction: What a languid performance it was from ADO in their 4-0 loss at Heracles. They’re a marginally better outfit at home, but at this rate, ADO are in huge danger of the drop. ADO are physically stronger than this Twente side, and will look to win that battle rather than outplay their more skilful visitors. 1-1 | Tip: Both teams to score.

Thom’s prediction: ADO are having troubles this season. The team lacks attacking creativity with since El Khayati and Becker left this summer. The disappointing results even led to the departure of head coach Fons Groenendijk. I think that ADO only have a chance when they defend in a low block, and try to score in the counter. 0-2

VVV-Venlo v FC Emmen

Michael’s prediction: VVV were much more organised in their defeat at AZ – a marked difference from the final weeks under Robert Maaskant. I think that they will take advantage of Emmen’s struggles on the road and win here in a tight fixture. 1-0 | Tip: Under 2.5 goals.

Thom’s prediction: I think this will be a game of few chances. VVV will defend in a compact low block, while FC Emmen will struggle to break this defensive organisation. Maybe an individual mistake will lead to a goal. 0-0

PSV v Fortuna SittardDelayed airing on Premier Sports 2

Michael’s prediction: I predicted PSV to end their poor form and beat Emmen comfortably last weekend – that didn’t happen and they drew instead. I’ll try again! I think that PSV will have too much quality for Fortuna Sittard. Not that this is the end yet for PSV’s wretched run. 3-1 | Tip: Bergwijn to score at any time.

Thom’s prediction: Despite the dip in form, PSV should win easily against Fortuna Sittard. I think PSV will score some goals, because they are facing one of the worst defending teams of the Eredivisie. 3-0

PEC Zwolle v AZ Alkmaar

Michael’s prediction: PEC had a very good second half at Feyenoord last Sunday. A shame that they allowed Feyenoord to create far too many chances in the first half, which ultimately lost them the game. The hosts’ creative and technical players may find some joy against the AZ midfield trio. I’m predicting AZ to drop points against struggling PEC Zwolle. The defence has been great this season but maybe the miss of Ron Vlaar and Pantelis Hatzidiakos will be too great at centre-back. 2-2 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

Thom’s prediction: AZ have been a joy to watch this season. This season, the team of Arne Slot are combining attacking football with a great defensive structure. However, the last two games were not the best games for AZ. They struggled in the Europa League against Partizan Belgrade, while VVV had chance to equalise in the last minutes. This, in combination with their second halves against Ajax and Feyenoord, will give PEC Zwolle confidence to fight for a result against AZ. 1-4

Sunday, 8th December

Vitesse Arnhem v FeyenoordDelayed airing on Premier Sports 2

Michael’s prediction: It’s a massive shame to see Leonid Slutsky leave Vitesse. He felt as though he couldn’t take the club any further despite his best efforts. In attack, they have some useful players for a top five push; however, they have been missing quality players in defence to see out results, such as the 3-2 defeat at Heerenveen a week ago. Feyenoord are far from their best either, but at least Dick Advocaat has his team winning games again. I really think that there’ll be a winner in this game. I will go for the visitors’ strikers to make the difference. 1-2 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

Thom’s prediction: Vitesse are having a dip in form. This dip in from even led to the departure of their head coach Slutsky. The game against Feyenoord is a great way for the players of Vitesse to prove again that they are a good Eredivisie side. Feyenoord are still struggling under their new head coach Advocaat. Despite their better results, the style of play is still not convincing. 3-2

FC Groningen v FC Utrecht

Michael’s prediction: Both of these teams come into this match on the back of insipid displays and 1-0 defeats. I believe Groningen will respond the stronger and keep this a tight match that is won late on. 1-0 | Tip: Home win.

Thom’s prediction: This should be a good game to watch. Both teams are capable of playing good football. It will be interesting to watch whether or not FC Utrecht are capable of picking themselves up again. 2-1

RKC Waalwijk v Heerenveen

Michael’s prediction: RKC will feel boosted by their win at Utrecht, giving them real promise of surviving relegation. Another big result then is needed against Heerenveen. We’ve already seen teams take RKC lightly and drop points. Can Heerenveen join that list? The visitors are fresh from a 3-2 comeback victory over Vitesse but I can’t see them winning easily in Waalwijk. 2-3 | Tip: Both teams to score.

Thom’s prediction: Despite the fact that they only won two games, RKC are one of the most enjoyable teams to watch this season. They really try and attack each opponent with their positional play. Against SC Heerenveen, however, they will be struggling again. SC Heerenveen have one of the best defensive records this season, and have some weapons on the counter attack. 1-3

Sparta Rotterdam v Heracles Almelo

Michael’s prediction: Playing at home is massive when playing in the Eredivisie; that is particularly pertinent to both Sparta and Heracles. By that logic, Sparta will vastly improve upon their performance at Willem II (where they were thoroughly outplayed in a 4-0 loss) and Heracles will not be able to emulate the impressively quick-footed football they produced against ADO. Heracles are the better team at the moment but may be without left-back Lennart Czyborra due to injury. 2-2 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

Thom’s prediction: The compact defence of Sparta Rotterdam should keep their eyes wide open. Dessers is capable of punishing the opponent when given a little bit of space. However, Sparta have creative players who can be deadly in the counter attack. 2-2

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]

Week 12: 5 results and 1 correct score + 5/9 betting tips | Won versus football graphic designer Joeri Gosens [4 results and 1 correct score]

Week 13: 6 results + 6/9 betting tips | Won versus betting tipster MegaFootyTips [5 results and 1 correct score]

Week 14: 3 results and 1 correct score + 5/9 (+ one void) betting tips | Lost versus betting tipster Crypto [5 results and 3 correct scores]

Week 15: 5 results and 1 correct score + 5/9 betting tips | Won versus author Abdul Al Sayed [5 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.