Eredivisie Predictions & Betting 19/20: Round 22 (vs Michael Bell)

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 Football-Oranje editor and founder Michael Bell.

• by Michael Statham
• Follow Michael S on Twitter @EredivisieMike
• Follow Michael B on Twitter @michaeljbell09

Friday, 7th February

Heracles Almelo v Fortuna Sittard

Michael’s prediction: Heracles have only enjoyed one win in their last eight in all competitions and will find themselves level on points with relegation battlers Fortuna should they lose on Friday. I believe that the Almelo side will return to winning ways here. Were this fixture being played in Sittard, then I may have thought otherwise, such is the importance of home advantage with these two clubs. 2-0 | Tip: Heralces -1.5 Asian handicap.

Michael Bell’s prediction: Heracles are in a real poor run of form, having lost three on the bounce but this is a game they should be winning. I would expect Cyriel Dessers to net and the home side to win comfortably. 2-0.

Saturday, 8th February

FC Groningen v Vitesse Arnhem

Michael’s prediction: Groningen have maintained an extraordinary record this season in terms of scoring and conceding around an average of only one goal per game this season; sitting eighth is a fair reflection then. I interviewed new Groningen striker Daishawn Redan a couple of years ago when he was on Chelsea’s books and I asked him whether he would soon be loaned out to Vitesse for some more match experience. Skip to present day and he’s finally on loan in the Eredivisie where he can develop against senior players. Redan could make the difference; he was always a super talent. Vitesse will find it tricky to play their game in Groningen and I think they could be caught out on the counter-attack. I don’t have much faith in the Vitesse centre-backs against Groningen’s young, pacey forwards. 2-1 | Tip: Home win.

Michael Bell’s prediction: Groningen have the third best defence in the Eredivisie but their big problem is scoring goals. Daishawn Redan should make his debut for the hosts and could be the answer to their problems. Vitesse arrive at the Euroborg in decent form and I can see this one ending in a draw. 1-1

Heerenveen v VVV-Venlo

Michael’s prediction: VVV have recently won against RKC, and added points against PSV and Utrecht – a few massive results that give them hope of avoiding relegation. If Heerenveen come out of the blocks in the first half and play their quick-tempo football, they’ll have no problem. Sven Botman has cost his side with two costly errors leading to defeat in Heerenveen’s last two games, and I think he’ll really learn from that and become a better player. 2-0 | Tip: Heerenveen team goals +1.5.

Michael Bell’s prediction: Heerenveen have lost three on the bounce and will be keen to get back to winning ways against VVV, who are one of my picks to be relegated. Heerenveen are falling behind in the race for a top seven finish and a win against VVV is a must. 3-1

PSV v Willem II – Delayed airing on Premier Sports 2

Michael’s prediction: Take a look at PSV’s frightening form. They are finding it very difficult to win games for many reasons. Ernest Faber is overseeing a further capitulation to the season which Mark van Bommel began. I can’t see them winning against this excellent Willem II side who love playing away to the league’s biggest sides. Adrie Koster’s men find it trickier to break down lesser teams at home, but this is a perfect opportunity to counter-attack a misfiring PSV severely lacking in confidence. 1-2 | Tip: Willem II double chance.

Michael Bell’s prediction: This is a really tough game to call. PSV are in horrendous form and have looked unable to score goals recently. Willem II have been giant killers this season and they head to the Philips Stadion four points above PSV. I think it will be very close but can see Mo Ihattaren inspiring PSV to a slender win. 2-1

RKC Waalwijk v PEC Zwolle

Michael’s prediction: The relegation battle seems to have rocked the PEC Zwolle players, who all seemed to be absolutely ecstatic following their win over Groningen last weekend. I find it difficult to back RKC to win since they lost Stijn Spierings in the January transfer window, whereas I also don’t see PEC Zwolle playing free-flowing football to open up the Waalwijk defence. Draw. 1-1 | Tip: Both teams to score.

Michael Bell’s prediction: RKC may be bottom but they have put up some fight in recent weeks, despite losing three on the bounce. PEC Zwolle are unpredictable but are three games unbeaten. This game will be nervy but I can see RKC getting a crucial win. 2-1

Sunday, 9th February

Utrecht v Ajax – LIVE on Premier Sports 2

Michael’s prediction: I’ve already recently mentioned how crucial this run of games is for Ajax, but Utrecht love playing their local(ish) rivals in their home stadium. This is never easy for Ajax and I find Utrecht to be fully capable of winning on Sunday. Ajax’s growing injury list is going to leave them short again here, right in the middle of what is becoming a proper title race with AZ. Carel Eiting was given an opportunity to shine against PSV, but he was impressive only in patches, and whilst he has a great eye for a pass, he can be guilty of conceding possession. I think Utrecht will capitalise here. 3-2 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

Michael Bell’s prediction: Ajax head to Utrecht without several key players including Hakim Ziyech and Quincy Promes. They managed to get a slender win over PSV last weekend, but Utrecht will provide a much tougher test. Gyrano Kerk will cause the visitors a lot of trouble at the back and I can see this one ending in a draw. 2-2

Sparta Rotterdam v ADO Den Haag

Michael’s prediction: Sparta were missing a cutting edge against Twente which makes me wonder whether ADO can earn a result in Rotterdam if they can play negative enough and contain their hosts. 0-0 | Tip: Under 2.5 goals.

Michael Bell’s prediction: Alan Pardew will definitely be seeing this game as one to possibly get three points from. Sparta haven’t won in three games and look short of confidence at the moment. ADO have a lot of new faces in their squad but I think they will come away from Rotterdam with a point. 1-1

AZ Alkmaar v Feyenoord – Delayed airing on Premier Sports 2

Michael’s prediction: Potentially a deal breaker over the Eredivisie’s top two this season. AZ win and they put a huge distance of ten points between themselves and Feyenoord going into the last twelve games. Lose and the gap becomes four with Feyenoord on a roll. A draw is always likely though to keep both sides ticking over, but you mustn’t forgot the terrific football that AZ have shown us this season. I just think that Myron Boadu will have the pace to unlock this defence and despite Feyenoord’s full-backs ever improving throughout the campaign, I don’t think they’ll have the experience to handle Calvin Stengs and Oussama Idrissi. 3-1 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

Michael Bell’s prediction: The big game of the weekend! AZ are definitely title contenders but Feyenoord are unbeaten since Dick Advocaat took charge. Both sides are filled with confidence but AZ have more to lose heading into the game. Their front three looked excellent against RKC last weekend and I think they will prove too strong for the Feyenoord defence. 2-1

FC Emmen v FC Twente

Michael’s prediction: Considering they were well-beaten by Feyenoord, I actually found that Emmen did not play too badly and new signing Karim Frei was a positive addition to the Emmen starting eleven. He adds some magic and danger behind the striker. I think he could be important here and rattle Twente fans’ nerves as they approach the wrong end of the table. 2-1| Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

Michael Bell’s prediction: FC Twente finally returned to winning ways last weekend against Sparta Rotterdam and they will now be looking to rise up the table and away from the drop zone. However, Emmen is a difficult place to go and the home side will be confident of achieving a result. I’m going for a score draw in this one. 1-1

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]

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 | Won versus Utrecht podcast Red White Podcast [3 results]

Week 21: 7 results and 2 correct scores + 7/9 betting tips | ? versus Portuguese Dutch football outlet Espreme a Laranja [5 results]