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 Felipe from Espreme a Laranja, who cover Dutch football in the Portugese language.
- by Michael Statham
- Follow Michael on Twitter @EredivisieMike
- Follow Espreme a Laranja on Twitter @espremealaranja
Friday, 31st January
AZ Alkmaar v RKC Waalwijk – LIVE on Premier Sports 1
Michael’s prediction: After a damaging home defeat to VVV, I can’t see an instant response from RKC here. Therefore, this should be a straight forward victory for AZ. Against Venlo, RKC conceded a couple of scrappy goals, and you just cannot be that careless when you travel to Alkmaar. 3-0 | Tip: AZ -1.5 Asian handicap.
Felipe’s prediction: The Katholieken from Waalwijk fight with all their force for the scarce chances of escaping from relegation. But AZ seem to have recovered in the hard victory against Heerenveen after a horrible start to 2020. Playing at home, and with the trio Stengs-Boadu-Idrissi doing what they can do, the Alkmaarders will have probably no difficulties. 3-0
Saturday, 1st February
ADO Den Haag v Vitesse Arnhem
Michael’s prediction: If ADO play the same way they did against Utrecht last Friday, then they’re in for another long evening. Vitesse had been on a run of five successive wins in all competitions, but a sloppy performance against Emmen saw them drop points; they conceded far too many chances at the beginning of the second half. I think ADO will earn something from this match. 1-1 | Tip: ADO double chance.
Felipe’s prediction: Which ADO Den Haag will supporters watch in The Hague? The tough stamina machine which beat RKC Waalwijk, renewing hopes against relegation, or the poor team from most of this season, which had not even the slightest chance against Utrecht in the last round? Even with irregular performances, Vitesse have a strong team: Bazoer improved after his disciplinarian problems; Linssen-Matavz are a deadly partnership in the area. They will have problems, but are more capable of a win. 1-3
Feyenoord v FC Emmen – Delayed airing on Premier Sports 2
Michael’s prediction: I am impressed with the way Dick Advocaat has got his team playing. They’re able to have very good spells within games where they get the goals, then they’re far better at game management to see out the match and earn the points. That’s what Advocaat’s experience gives you. Emmen come into this on the back of an extremely rare away point (at Vitesse) but I don’t see them springing any more surprises in Rotterdam. 3-0 | Tip: Feyenoord -1.5 Asian handicap.
Felipe’s prediction: Searching for the replay of the fairy tale from last season (remaining in the Eredivisie), Emmen will be a tough opponent in De Kuip. And they even have good players in De Leeuw and Kolar. But Feyenoord seems to be in its “momentum”: everything works on the pitch, players trust in what Advocaat thinks. 3-1
FC Twente v Sparta Rotterdam
Michael’s prediction: Rather concerningly for Twente supports, the Tukkers have not won since the start of November. A draw against PSV is a nice result but they need to improve their home form. Haris Vuckic should start after scoring from the bench last weekend. 1-0 | Tip: Under 2.5 goals.
Felipe’s prediction: Two similar teams: they had a promising start, but their positions at the table are about right. Twente are slightly the favourite. If Vuckic plays well and they take care of Ragnar Ache, the Tukkers can beat Sparta. A match to be decided on small details. 2-1
PEC Zwolle v FC Groningen
Michael’s prediction: This one is tricky. PEC Zwolle finally achieved their first clean sheet of the season against high-fliers Willem II, whilst Groningen, of course, beat Ajax. Groningen play better when they can counter-attack with the pace of Asoro and Sierhuis, which helps them earn results against top sides. I predict that Groningen won’t win in Zwolle on Saturday; a draw. 1-1 | Tip: Both teams to score.
Felipe’s prediction: Groningen received a boost in their confidence with the three points against Ajax. And they have a strong defense (Padt back to the good times between the posts, Deyo Zeefuik is the best right-back in the Eredivisie), and good strikers in Sierhuis and Asoro. Zwolle will come to fight, but Groningen have better players. 2-0
Sunday, 2nd February
Willem II v Heracles Almelo
Michael’s prediction: Willem II’s previous two home league games have seen 0-0 draws with Fortuna Sittard and PEC Zwolle. Heracles sit just above those two in the Eredivisie table but the situation is similar: the hosts are the favourites and may find it difficult to break their visitors down. Heracles’ form has been more patchy in this part of the season and losing Lennart Czyborra is a hit to their defence and attack down the left-hand side. I predict a narrow home win. 2-1 | Tip: Home win.
Felipe’s prediction: After the disappointment from the last round, the Tilburgers are going to face one of the worst possible opponents to them in this moment of the season. Heracles are not a weak team: good midfielders, great attackers (Mauro Júnior and Dessers), a reliable keeper in Blaswich. Possibly a draw. 2-2
Fortuna Sittard v Heerenveen
Michael’s prediction: One should not forget Fortuna’s seven successive home wins enjoyed in Sittard before the recent home reverse to Vitesse. Heerenveen were, about a month ago, discussed in the same breath as Willem II and AZ amongst the surprise teams chasing a top four finish this season. It was only briefly discussed though, and last weekend’s defeat to AZ had a really flat first-half. At this moment in time, I don’t see an away win; so I’ll back Sjors Ultee’s men, who have been very competitive in all their recent games. 2-1 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.
Felipe’s prediction: Supporters in Sittard know what Mark Diemers is capable of. And there are some supporting players, like Ciss and Karjalainen. But Fortuna Sittard’s defense is appalling. A welcome scenario to Ejuke, Odgaard, Van Bergen, Faik, the newcomer Espejord… Heerenveen can win. 2-3
VVV-Venlo v FC Utrecht
Michael’s prediction: After a draw with PSV and a win over RKC, VVV look a a different proposition to before the Winter break. A tricky one for John van den Brom’s Utrecht, who were excellent when beating ADO 4-0, despite losing Willem Janssen to a season-ending injury. I don’t think VVV will win, but I also cannot see the hosts making it easy for their higher-quality visitors. Gyrano Kerk will have the pace to beat several of VVV’s slower defenders. 1-2 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.
Felipe’s prediction: VVV-Venlo are always better in De Koel and its artificial pitch. But they’re not invincible and definitely not against an Utrecht team which has recovered some respect after thrashing ADO Den Haag. And there come Gustafson, Van de Streek, Klaiber, Kerk, Abass… fast and furious. 0-3
Ajax v PSV – Delayed airing on Premier Sports 2
Michael’s prediction: Wow, take a look at Ajax’s upcoming fixtures; the next month or so is absolutely pivotal. League games versus PSV and AZ; three away matches with bogey teams Utrecht, Heracles and Heerenveen; two-legged Europa League action with Getafe; plus a cup quarter-final with Vitesse for good measure. Almost at the wrong time given their injuries and lack of form: three league defeats in five. Wherever Ajax could slip up, they have done. PSV have been far from their best either though, making for an interesting and potentially lower quality game than many would have anticipated back in September, especially now that Steven Bergwijn has left for Spurs. PSV have not been PSV for some time now, despite sacking Mark van Bommel. I cannot see how Ernest Faber turns this around. Ajax will win this, but not by a large margin. 2-0| Tip: Home win.
Felipe’s prediction: Were Ajax better, we could imagine that PSV would be smashed in the Johan Cruyff Arena just as Feyenoord were some months ago. After all, the Eindhovenaren are in shambles: a very shaky defense, without one of the main players (Malen), and with Bergwijn definitely departed to Tottenham. But Ajax are not that much better nowadays: the injuries (David Neres, Ziyech, once Promes) had their consequences – as it was possible to see in the last round, against Groningen. So, Ajax is definitely favourite to win. But there are more chances of a narrow triumph. 2-0
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]
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]
Week 16: 5 results + 4/9 betting tips | Won versus tactical analyst Thom Bleijerveld [4 results and 1 correct score]
Week 17: 4 results and 1 correct score + 4/8 & 1 void betting tips | Lost versus Groningen podcaster Maarten Siepel [5 results and 1 correct score]
Week 18: 6 results and 2 correct scores + 6/9 betting tips | Won versus journalist Maarten Elst [4 results]
Week 19: 5 results and 3 correct score + 4/9 betting tips | Won versus commentator Richard Connelly [5 results]
Week 20: 4 results and 1 correct score + 4/9 betting tips | ? versus Utrecht podcast Red White Podcast [3 results]
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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.
I am seeing PSV score a goal against Ajax on Sunday evening