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 founder of Everything is Fútbol, Marc Geschwind.

  • by Michael Statham
  • Follow Michael on Twitter @EredivisieMike
  • Follow Marc on Twitter @MarcGeschwind

Saturday, 14th September

Ajax v Heerenveen

Michael’s prediction: Heerenveen are beginning to gel as a new team; they’re creating greater scoring opportunities as the matches go by. The Frisians are usually known for giving these games a go, meaning they will leave plenty of space for Ajax on the counter. Ajax can struggle to get the first goal against teams that are hard to break down but I see no such issues here. 5-1 | Tip: Ajax -2.5 Asian handicap.

Marc’s prediction: Ajax come into this game having cemented their place in the Champions League and having scored 15 times in their opening 4 Eredivisie matches, so confidence will be running high. Donny van de Beek and Noussair Mazraoui are likely out injured, but Sergino Dest and Quincy Promes will fill in capably. Heerenveen got off to a quick start beating Heracles 4-0 on opening day but are winless ever since. Ajax should cruise at home. 4-1

AZ Alkmaar v Sparta Rotterdam

Michael’s prediction: Sparta were totally outclassed by Ajax two weeks ago. Will they learn their lesson and battle for a result similar to the draw they achieved with Feyenoord last month? I think AZ will be refreshed by the two-week international break. 3-0 | Tip: AZ -1.5 Asian handicap.

Marc’s prediction: AZ fell to defeat in their last game, but they had the Europa League qualifiers on the mind and should be raring to get their season really going. Myron Boadu, Calvin Stengs, and Oussama Idrissi have been phenomenal thus far and they’ll be looking to score more goals here. 3-1

VVV-Venlo v Groningen

Michael’s prediction: VVV will keep this tight and gritty – just the way they like it in De Koel – to help them beat Groningen. Without much quality since the sale of Ritsu Doan, they’ll need experienced leaders to step up and help some of the younger players develop this season. Groningen are lacking match-winners and Kaj Sierhuis is still yet to hit any sort of good form. 1-0 | Tip: Under 2.5 goals.

Marc’s prediction: In what’s one of the more balanced fixtures this week, VVV host Groningen on the turf field everyone hates to play against. And with summer signing Lee Cattermole firmly in the thick of things now, there’s more than just the turf to fear when travelling to Venlo. Groningen have been largely unimpressive thus far, but they can defend resolutely. 1-2

PSV v Vitesse Arnhem

Michael’s prediction: I’m not sure I’ve seen such a consistent Vitesse side since the one featuring Wilfried Bony that enjoyed a title challenge. PSV have improved on the early disappointments of the campaign and have been returned one Donyell Malen who will be buzzing after his debut goal for the Netherlands. If this is a PSV win, it’ll be a narrow one. I’m torn between a draw and a 2-1 win for PSV. I’m backing Leonid Slutsky’s side to give their hosts a great game. 1-1 | Tip: Vitesse double chance.

Marc’s prediction: PSV have picked up the results and Donyell Malen, Mo Ihattaren, and especially Steven Bergwijn have impressed, but there seems something missing and their midfield and back-line has looked shaky. Vitesse, meanwhile, come into this game off the back of an impressive victory over AZ and they’ll be confident they can sneak a point or more. Something to watch out for: Can Tim Matavz grab a goal to punish his former side? In the end, I think PSV are just too much for Vitesse, but they’ll make PSV sweat. 2-1

FC Utrecht v FC Emmen

Michael’s prediction: Utrecht know their poor performance against Twente a fortnight ago was not worthy of where they aim to sit at the end of the season. I’ve seen Emmen a couple of times already this season and unfortunately they don’t possess as much quality as I thought they did and the players who won them points last season have not been adequately replaced. This’ll be a tough Saturday evening for Emmen; Adrian Dalmau may grab another opportunity to score. 2-0 | Tip: Dalmau to score at anytime.

Marc’s prediction: Despite falling short in Europe, Utrecht have put together a pretty talented team led by Gyrano Kerk, Adam Maher, and Bart Ramselaar. Emmen have looked like one of the relegation favourites they are and should prove no match for Utrecht away from home. 3-1

Sunday, 15th September

PEC Zwolle v RKC Waalwijk

Michael’s prediction: PEC are bouncing back and developing as a unit, as I predicted they would, given their tricky start to the season with players out injured. Now they look a decent team and should be beating RKC, who just don’t have the quality to regularly get results against mid-table teams like PEC. 2-0 | Tip: PEC -1.5 Asian handicap.

Marc’s prediction: PEC have the ability to finish comfortably above the drop, but their early form has been average to say the least. Former Ajax man Dennis Johnsen has shown flashes of his superb technique, but they’ll need more than that to break down a plucky RKC, who nearly drew PSV before the international break. 2-0

Heracles Almelo v Willem II

Michael’s prediction: A difficult game to call. I think Willem II have surprised a few already this season and their team spirit seems strong at this early stage. Heracles pinched all three points in their last game at Groningen, and I fancy Willem II to do the same to their hosts. This match could be high scoring. 1-2 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

Marc’s prediction: Lifted by the signing of Che Nunnely and the goals of Vangelis Pavlidis, Willem II sit 5th in the table having beaten the 3 teams they were expected to. But, Heracles don’t fall into that category as it is always difficult to play on their turf away from home (as PSV found out earlier this season in a game they easily could’ve lost). Mauro Junior and Silvester van der Water provide good threat and Teun Bijleveld is creative in midfield. 2-1

Feyenoord v ADO Den Haag

Michael’s prediction: This marks the start of seven games in just 21 days for Feyenoord. I expect this run to get off to a comfortable start here. ADO are a low quality team and I do expect them to be in relegation trouble this season. I’ve enjoyed seeing this new-look Feyenoord side grow already. I hope this continues to offer us more entertaining football. 4-1 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

Marc’s prediction: Feyenoord have largely been unimpressive. But, they did look superb as they beat Hapoel Ber’Sheva 3-0 in both legs in Europe, so maybe that’s the push they need. Meanwhile, ADO have had a mixed start to the season but with Bilal Ould-Chik, John Goossens, and former Feyenoord man, Lex Immers, they’ll have hope they can snatch a result. 3-0

Fortuna Sittard v FC Twente

Michael’s prediction: Fortuna have an average squad of players sprinkled by quality of individuals such as Mark Diemers. It’s going to be a hard season for them and I think Twente have stronger players than Fortuna in every position. I think we’ll see an entertaining clash with Fortuna achieving a result in front of their home support. 1-1 | Tip: Both teams to score.

Marc’s prediction: Twente are the last of the unbeaten teams as they enter this game-week in fourth place following some strong results against PSV and Groningen away. They may be newly promoted, but Twente have some quality in Haris Vuckic and Keito Nakamura. Fortuna, on the other hand, have been lifeless to say the least. No wins from four and they haven’t looked overly likely to change that yet. 1-3

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]




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.