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 a rematch: Football-Oranje editor and founder Michael Bell.

  • by Michael Statham
  • Follow Michael S on Twitter @EredivisieMike
  • Follow Michael B on Twitter @MichaelJBell09

Friday, 6th March

Fortuna Sittard v PEC Zwolle

Michael’s prediction: Another weekend brings another important match-up at the bottom of the table as both of these sides realistically look to avoid the always tricky relegation play-offs. Fortuna have the better individual attacking quality to win, whereas PEC have recently found a more effective style of play. I fancy the visitors to register a rare away win. 1-2 | Tip: PEC double chance.

Mike B’s prediction: Two teams right in the mix to finish in the relegation playoff spot. Fortuna’s form hasn’t been great recently and they will be desperate to pick up a win but PEC Zwolle have been improving. I can see this ending in a draw that doesn’t really help either side. 2-2

Saturday, 7th March

AZ Alkmaar v ADO Den HaagLIVE on Premier Sports 2

Michael’s prediction: With Alan Pardew’s men now six points from even reaching a relegation play-off place, matters are looking rather bleak for ADO. AZ, whether in good or poor form, should be beating this kind of outfit, even if it could be rather uninspiring. 2-0 | Tip: AZ Asian hanidcap -1.5.

Mike’s prediction: ADO Den Haag are in real danger of being relegated now and i cannot see them getting a result against AZ Alkmaar, who looked great against Ajax last weekend. This one should be an easy home win. 3-0

FC Emmen v VVV-Venlo

Michael’s prediction: Emmen’s good form came to a crashing halt at Sparta, losing 5-1; but the goals they conceded were largely individual errors in an even game. Back at home, where they hold an incredible record, they’ll probably get frustrated trying to break down VVV. The longer the Venlo outfit keep out Emmen, the more likely they could go on and win themselves. 1-1 | Tip: Under 2.5 goals.

Mike’s prediction: Emmen are excellent at home in the Eredivisie and they will see this game as another opportunity to pick up three points. VVV have improved greatly since the winter break but I can see the hosts winning this one with a tight scoreline. 2-1

Vitesse Arnhem v FC Twente

Michael’s prediction: After flying in the opening months of the campaign, Vitesse and Twente are now left picking up occasional wins rather than stringing any sort of good form together. Vitesse are the clear favourites here, and despite Twente recently playing some better football, the Tukkers are now only two points clear in a clutch of 5-6 teams attempting to avoid the relegation play-off places. I predict the slide to continue for Gonzalo Garcia and co. 2-1 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

Mikes prediction: Two very unpredictable teams at the moment. Vitesse are out of form, while FC Twente could still get dragged into a relegation fight. Vitesse have the better side and I can see them just winning this game. 3-2

Heerenveen v AjaxLIVE on Premier Sports 2

Michael’s prediction: Heerenveen are flitting about in mid-table but are growing some key attacking players (as they always do). Joey Veerman is developing as an important midfielder, whilst Chidera Ejuke is improving his goal involvement from the wing. Ajax have lost five from the last nine in the league and are currently falling off a cliff with their season. Only time will tell whether this is a fixable, prolonged blip, or whether this is a truly shocking moment in the Eredivisie title race and for Ajax as a club. From looking so strong in the Autumn, Ajax were incredibly poor against AZ; they deservedly lost. The midfield was sleepy and their defence was riddled with mistakes. I think I have to back Heerenveen here for another surprise result. 2-2 | Tip: Heerenveen double chance.

Mikes prediction: There is something very wrong with Ajax at the moment and Heerenveen will be fancying their chances of causing an upset on Saturday evening. Erik ten Hag seems to be unable to inspire his side at the moment and defensively they look all over the place. AZ Alkmaar are putting them under real pressure at the top and this is a must win game for the visitors. Heerenveen have the players capable of causing Ajax a lot of problems but i can see the away side claiming the three points. 1-2

Sunday, 8th March

Utrecht v Sparta

Michael’s prediction: Utrecht could have done so much better against RKC. Losing disappointingly to an all-but-relegated team is rather embarrassing when you’re chasing European football. Sparta will be buoyed by scoring five last weekend and will certainly play on the counter-attack here. 2-1 | Tip: Both teams to score.

Mike’s prediction: On a high after reaching the KNVB Cup final in midweek, Utrecht go into a game that they should be winning. However, Sparta Rotterdam looked good in their win last week and have lots of pace on the counter. I can see Utrecht winning this though with Gyrano Kerk decisive. 3-1

Feyenoord v Willem IIDelayed airing on Premier Sports 2

Michael’s prediction: Reaching the upper echelons of the Eredivisie negatively impacted Willem II’s mentality, I think. Now that they’ve slipped outside the top four, they can relax and play their football again. Beating Groningen last weekend was a good example of that; I reckon they’ll go to De Kuip and play their counter-attacking game that has served them so well already when beating AZ and Ajax on the road. That said, PSV were able to comfortably handle the threats of the Tilburgers recently by sitting deeper and beating them at their own game. I wonder if Feyenoord would do the same. 2-1 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

Mike’s prediction: Feyenoord are the form side in the Eredivisie at the moment and they still have ambitions of entering the title race. On the other hand, Willem II’s form has dropped off recently and they know longer look like finishing in the top four. Feyenoord are in great form and just hammered NAC Breda 7-1 to reach the cup final. This should be a home win. 2-0

Heracles Almelo v RKC Waalwijk

Michael’s prediction: Rather bizarrely by Eredivisie standards, Heracles’ last five games have only yielded a total of five goals. I think we should back the mid-table side to comfortable turn over RKC though and Cyriel Dessers should be back amongst the goals. 3-0 | Tip: Heracles team goals +1.5.

Mike’s prediction: RKC got a confidence boosting win over Utrecht last week but they still have a long way to go to avoid relegation. Heracles have been disappointing recently but Cyriel Dessers will fire them to a win in this game. 4-1

Groningen v PSVDelayed airing on Premier Sports 2

Michael’s prediction: On-loan Groningen striker Daishawn Redan was cutting a frustrated figure in his hour on the pitch last Friday as the Northern side slumped to a 3-1 defeat at Willem II. Even the defensive assuredness abandoned Danny Buijs’s side and Redan was left to feed off scraps. I can’t see them being as confident then for the arrival of a resurgent PSV. 0-2 | Tip: PSV team goals +1.5.

Mike’s prediction: This is a hard game to call. Groningen have proved their ability to cause shocks at home in recent weeks but since the departure of Kaj Sierhuis they look really poor up front. Their previously solid defence has also started to leak goals. PSV are full of confidence at the moment and in Cody Gakpo they have an in form attacker. PSV should just claim victory in this one.1-2

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]

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 | Won versus Portuguese Dutch football outlet Espreme a Laranja [5 results]

Week 22: **4 results and 1 correct score + **2/7 betting tips | Won versus Football-Oranje founder Michael Bell [**2 results and 1 correct score] **reduced schedule of only seven matches

Week 23: 4 results and 2 correct scores + 7/9 betting tips | Lost versus commentator Paul Thomas Clay [5 results]

Week 24: 4 results and 1 correct score + 6/9 betting tips | Draw versus writer Alex Dieker [4 results and 1 correct score]

Week 25: 1 result + 3/9 betting tips | Lost versus 90-min journalist Daniel van der Molen [5 results and 1 correct scores]




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.