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 the voice of Dutch football in the United Kingdom: Jonathan Beck. Jonathan is the voiceover for Eredivisie highlights shows in the UK for IMG Media and a regular commentator for many other competitions.

  • by Michael Statham
  • Follow Michael on Twitter @EredivisieMike

Friday, 20th September

FC Twente v Heracles AlmeloLIVE ON PREMIER SPORTS 2

Michael’s prediction: With a win, Twente would go top of the Eredivisie (before others play). They’re growing into the side I was expecting to see upon their Eredivisie return: largely difficult to score against and plenty of threat coming from attacking midfielders. Heracles will be pleased to be finding form of their own, but usually this is saved for home matches! I think this derby will be well contested, with Twente coming out on top. 2-1 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

Jonathan’s prediction: It’s good to have this local derby back on the Eredivisie fixture list. Given Twente have scored 3 goals in 4 of their 6 games so far I was going to go for a 3-1 home win but Heracles have tightened up defensively since their opening 4-0 mauling by Heerenveen. Their new front 3 is also showing signs of settling in nicely but I’m backing Twente to maintain their unbeaten start. 2-1

Saturday, 21st September

Sparta Rotterdam v RKC Waalwijk

Michael’s prediction: After heavy defeats to Ajax and AZ, Sparta should be back to their best in Rotterdam against a defensively out-of-depth RKC. The newly-promoted side’s defending is becoming horrific, despite the fact they closely match the team that they play. 3-1 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

Jonathan’s prediction: Both games between these two were close last season in the 1st division. Sparta are better than their 5-1 defeat to AZ suggests – and after facing them and Ajax in consecutive matches they now have an easier run of games. Both sides’ defending last time out was poor, particularly RKC’s in their 6-2 loss at PEC Zwolle, but Sparta look far better going forward and could easily get more than 2 goals in this one. 2-0

Groningen v PEC Zwolle

Michael’s prediction: It’s only one win in five for Groningen, as Danny Buijs continues to ponder why his side aren’t scoring many goals. Ajdin Hrustic was Groningen’s biggest threat last weekend and he could be important again. I have a feeling that Reza Ghoochannejhad’s four goals off the bench may earn him a first start for PEC Zwolle! I have a feeling he’ll score again and prolong home fans’ frustrations. 1-2 | Tip: Both teams to score.

Jonathan’s prediction: This is tough to call. PEC Zwolle scored more in last week’s win over RKC than Groningen have all season but the northerners also have the 5th best defence in the division. PEC have the opposite problem, good going forward but too open at the back. 1-1

Willem II v VVV-Venlo

Michael’s prediction: I think VVV will keep this a relatively tight game, despite what my guest opponent, Jonathan, thinks! Willem II will be reeling from their heavy defeat at Heracles but know they will enjoy plenty of the ball and chances at home. Eventually, I think that pressure will tell. 1-0 | Tip: Home win.

Jonathan’s prediction: Given the inconsistency of these two so far, this game could go either way or be a high scoring draw. I’m finding it one of the toughest to call! Until the last round I’d say Willem II looked the better going forward but I was impressed with VVV’s new loan signing John Yeboah from Wolfsburg in their win over Groningen and he could well have a great season ahead. Both have 3 wins and 3 defeats from their 6 games so I’m going for a first draw. 2-2

Vitesse Arnhem v Fortuna Sittard

Michael’s prediction: Fortuna seem to get worse every time I watch them play. There was an attempted fightback and flashes of attacking quality in their defeat to Twente, but nowhere near enough to suggest they’ll earn a result at Vitesse. I’m sure Fortuna will set up to frustrate; however, once they’re behind, it could get ugly. 3-0 | Tip: Vitesse -1.5 Asian handicap.

Jonathan’s prediction: It’s hard to see Fortuna getting anything in Arnhem, and adding to their only two points so far, even if Vitesse did uncharacteristically lose 5-0 at PSV. I can see the visitors losing as heavily here as they did to AZ on the opening weekend. 4-0

Sunday, 22nd September

Heerenveen v FC Utrecht

Michael’s prediction: Because of both of these sides’ recent woes, I think we’ll see some goals on Sunday. I think Adrian Dalmau will be amongst the goalscorers again too. Mitchell van Bergen was dangerous against Ajax; I think he’ll be one to watch on the counter-attack here. Utrecht fans are sometimes critical about their team not burying the good chances they create – they will receive an abundance of opportunities against Heerenveen. 2-2 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

Jonathan’s prediction: Both of these two began the Eredivisie season well but have stuttered since. Utrecht weren’t convincing in beating Emmen and were jeered by their own frustrated fans at times. Heerenveen create a lot but their finishing hasn’t been great which has let them down. 1-2

FC Emmen v Feyenoord

Michael’s prediction: Feyenoord seemed overrun in their Europa League game at Rangers. Returning to the relative relaxation of Emmen away on a smaller pitch should be more comfortable. I reckon Emmen are in for a long and difficult season, despite the confidence I held for them in August. 0-2 | Tip: Feyenoord -1.5 Asian handicap.

Jonathan’s prediction: Feyenoord scored 4 times against Emmen in both mathches last season – and should’ve scored a lot more in their win over ADO. Defensive lapses nearly let them down late in the game but I’d expect this to be a comfortable away win against a side who’ve managed only 5 goals so far. 1-4

ADO Den Haag v AZ Alkmaar

Michael’s prediction: Let’s see how playing for over an hour with ten men in Serbia on Thursday affects AZ. I think it won’t matter much given ADO’s poor form this season. AZ have too much quality. 1-2 | Tip: AZ +1.5 team goals.

Jonathan’s prediction: A home derby, given AZ are now sharing ADO’s stadium, at least until Christmas. Hard to see ADO’s fortunes improving though even if AZ have got a taxing Europa League away trip to Belgrade 3 days before. Calvin Stengs, Oussama Idrissi and Myron Boadu have been in fantastic form and I’d expect them to be involved in the goals here again. 1-3

PSV v Ajax

Michael’s prediction: Clearly one of the biggest matches of the season already. Whilst PSV weren’t at their best against Sporting on Europa League duty, their win and performances from Donyell Malen and Mohammed Ihattaren suggest this will be a very good game indeed. Ajax of course come into this as the squad with higher quality and favourites for the title, but these games can frequently throw up an odd result. Hence it’s immensely difficult to predict! Seeing as PSV seem to be growing in confidence, I am going to back them to beat a potentially frustrated Ajax side. PSV will be pleased to play on the counter-attack (even at home); if they can sit deep and keep the Ajax forwards tightly marked, they have a good chance for victory. It could light up the league’s title race. 1-0 | Tip: Malen to score at any time.

Jonathan’s prediction: I’m on commentary duty for this one, which I can’t wait for. But after PSV’s demolition of Vitesse it’s going to be another difficult job predicting the outcome. I can’t see Ajax losing 3-0 as they have on the last two visits but PSV haven’t been beaten at home in the league for 50 games now and Ajax last won in Eindhoven more than 3 years ago. I can easily see either side winning or the game ending in a draw! 2-2

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]




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.