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 Chris Ottens, who is a journalist for Eindhovens Dagblad, regularly sharing breaking news on PSV and Helmond Sport.

[Please not that this weekend is a reduced Eredivisie schedule (only six matches – not nine) because of the movement of games involving Ajax, AZ, Feyenoord and PSV.]

  • by Michael Statham
  • Follow Michael on Twitter @EredivisieMike
  • Follow Chris on Twitter @ChrisOttens

Saturday, 24th August

Willem II v FC Emmen

Michael’s prediction: The return of Vangelis Pavlidis was crucial in Willem II’s win at Fortuna last time out. They have a good selection of attackers who enjoy plenty of the ball against ‘lesser’ opponents. Emmen looked much better in their win over Heerenveen; everything seemed to click for them following two below-par performances. Emmen will want this game to be scrappy, whereas Willem II want it open for their pacey forwards to score goals. 2-1 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

Chris’s prediction: Willem II have lost striker Alexander Isak; he played very well last season. But they still have their Greek attackers Marios Vrousai and Vangelis Pavlidis (he has already scored four goals in three matches). FC Emmen have a lot of new players in their squad (about 13) and are still searching and struggling. I predict a victory for homeside Willem II. 3-1

Heracles Almelo v Vitesse Arnhem

Michael’s prediction: Considering the lack of top teams playing, this may be considered the big tie of this weekend. Vitesse have recorded back-to-back clean sheets for the first time since 2017. I think it’s clear to see Leonid Slutsky has been working hard on his team since his appointment, but it’s a shame that it’s taken this long to be in this promising position. It’s a big test at Heracles, who created around twenty chances in their defeat to PSV, but lack that killer striking instinct at the moment. There is potential for this to be a good game. 2-2 | Tip: Both teams to score.

Chris’s prediction: Heracles are struggling, it was hard for them to play against PSV last week. With Brandley Kuwas and Adrian Dalmau departed, they’ve lost a lot of goals in the summer. Their start is bad with one point in three games. Vitesse are playing better and have already got seven points. With Tim Matavz they have an experienced striker. So I predict a small victory for Vitesse. 1-2

Heerenveen v FC TwenteLIVE ON PREMIER SPORTS 2

Michael’s prediction: Heerenveen proved last week that they’re still an incredibly inconsistent team. Goals are common in their games, but it’s hard work to predict a correct result for them! I’d back Twente to score at least one here seeing as they look good at taking chances on the counter-attack. There are a few liabilities in that Heerenveen defence and I’m sure Twente’s pacey players can expose these frailties. 1-2 | Tip: Twente double chance.

Chris’s prediction: This is a tough one, both teams are matched to each other. Heerenveen are quite changeable; one day they’ll play very well, the other week it’s the other way around. With Jens Odgaard and Mitchell van Bergen they have two promising attackers. FC Twente has also some talented players such as Ko Nakamura. And Haris Vuckic is on fire with three goals in three games. I don’t think there is much difference between both squads: I predict a draw. 1-1

Sunday, 25th August

RKC Waalwijk v ADO Den Haag

Michael’s prediction: It was a pulsating conclusion to RKC’s 3-3 draw with Twente – three goals in stoppage time! There is a certain togetherness about this Waalwijk squad that’ll help them when the going gets tough this season. I fancied ADO to win in their own stadium last weekend against Sparta, but again they disappointed in large spells of the game. Maybe this is another tough result for ADO and ecstasy for Waalwijk supports. 2-0 | Tip: Home win.

Chris’s prediction: Also a hard one to predict. RKC are new in the Eredivisie, but still play with a lot of players from last season. In the first two games they had troubles with scoring goals, last week though against Twente they scored three. ADO are a struggling team, they’re still searching for new players and the right formation. That’s why I predict a first victory for RKC. 1-0

FC Utrecht v VVV-Venlo

Michael’s prediction: I think that VVV will set up to frustrate against Utrecht and that the home side will deal with the physicality the visitors possess from set-pieces and rare forays forward. The pace of Issah Abass was a useful weapon against Feyenoord’s aging defence and I think it’ll be important again here. 1-0 | Tip: Home win.

Chris’s prediction: The elimination in Europe against Bosnian side Zrinjski Mostar was a big disappointment for ambitious side FC Utrecht. Their start in the Eredivisie is much better, last week they played 1-1 against Feyenoord. I think Utrecht will be playing in the top-five this season. VVV-Venlo are still searching with their new head coach Robert Maaskant, who replaced Maurice Steijn after five seasons. Venlo are a quite stiff squad with some physically strong players, but they don’t have a chance against Utrecht. I predict an easy victory. 2-0

PEC Zwolle v Sparta Rotterdam

Michael’s prediction: Two teams with contrasting openings to the new season. I believe that Sparta will yet again surprise and win in Zwolle. They have some excellent forward players for a newly promoted team, whilst PEC neither have a fully fit squad nor cohesion in their starting eleven. It’ll set John Stegeman back a couple of months before he starts to see good results. In my opinion, PEC would take a draw now if it was offered to them; Sparta too, I imagine, but I think early goals could turn home supporters against their team very quickly. 1-2 | Tip: Sparta double chance.

Chris’s prediction: The last one already, because of the European matches from AZ, Ajax, PSV and Feyenoord who don’t play this weekend. PEC started the competition really poorly and they have problems early in the season, with five injured players (including captain Bram van Polen). Sparta’s story is completely different, they have had a very good start with seven points in three games. They have six former players of PSV, especially Mo Rayhi is on fire with three goals. I don’t think they can persist that form. That’s why I predict the first point for PEC Zwolle. 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]




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.