Every week in the 2020/21 season, Football-Oranje’s Michael Statham gives you his predictions and betting tips for each Dutch Eredivisie round.
- by Michael Statham
- Follow Michael on Twitter @EredivisieMike
Friday, 4th December
Sparta Rotterdam v FC Emmen
This weekend’s fixtures feature some big matches in the bottom half of the table and some tasty-looking matches in the top half. Sparta are usually quite a consistent Eredivisie outfit, but it’s Emmen who still look off the boil. A defeat here for the visitors could spell disaster for manager Dick Lukkien. There has been little pressure on him in the last few years as Emmen boss, but something is going quite wrong this season. 1-1 | Tip: Both teams to score.
Saturday, 5th December
RKC Waalwijk v VVV-Venlo
Another potential ‘six-pointer’ sees RKC, who surprised last time out with a victory at high-flying Twente, take on VVV, who I think will be completely safe this season. VVV are the stronger side for me, but on the back of the last performance, I’m backing RKC to win again – Ola John and Cyriel Ngonge look two good acquisitions on the wings. 2-1 | Tip: RKC team goals +1.5.
Fortuna Sittard v Willem II
Like Emmen, this is beginning to feel like win or bust for Fortuna. I’m more confident that the Sittard side will begin to find some form. Their home results in the past have been excellent and their saviour in league survival. Willem II still seem out of sorts; for long periods against Groningen they were unable to pass their way out of their own half. 3-1 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.
Ajax v FC Twente – Delayed airing on Premier Sports 1
I thought that Ajax were unfortunate not to take anything from their Champions League loss to Liverpool in midweek. That defeat means that a win against Atalanta is a must if they wish to progress in the Champions League. Surely this fixture with Twente will take a back seat in some of the Ajax players’ minds. Progression in Europe is massive for the club and the players’ mentality. Because of that, I wonder whether Twente have a small chance of an upset in Amsterdam. They’ve played some great stuff this season, but they were way off the pace in their defeat to RKC. I reckon this’ll be close, and not all that pretty. 2-1 | Tip: Twente +1.5 Asian handicap.
PEC Zwolle v Vitesse Arnhem
These fixtures are the kind that Vitesse have been winning in so far this season. Let’s see whether they can keep up the pressure at the top before Christmas by beating PEC Zwolle, who are again without captain Thomas Lam following another red card. Even with the returning Richedly Bazoer, I can see Vitesse becoming a little frustrated here and just missing out on a win. 1-1 | Tip: Both teams to score.
Sunday, 6th December
Feyenoord v Heracles Almelo – LIVE on Premier Sports 2
Feyenoord have been trying to prove their title credentials in recent weeks, but it’s hardly been going well for them. In terms of Europe, like Ajax, Feyenoord must win on Thursday to progress. Several players are out injured though for the Rotterdammers and they were below par against Dinamo Zagreb. There are certainly chances here for Heracles to earn a rare win in De Kuip. 0-0 | Tip: Heracles double chance.
FC Utrecht v ADO Den Haag
Utrecht were so much more daring when they went to Feyenoord last weekend. They played much more like a top six side who were willing to give it a go and push players higher up the pitch, like new head coach Rene Hake has been looking for. ADO are in a mini revival following the sacking of Aleksandar Ranković. They will concede several chances against their stronger opponents, but Utrecht have been struggling to put these away. 1-1 | Tip: ADO +1 Asian handicap.
AZ Alkmaar v FC Groningen
AZ are on the march back up the Eredivisie table. If Groningen give the game a go, then AZ will pick them off – as they do so well – with the space on the counter attack. So, as is becoming usual of a Danny Buijs side, they will make it difficult for AZ to break them down. If there’s a winner, I predict a solitary goal being enough. 1-0 | Tip: Under 2.5 goals.
Heerenveen v PSV – Delayed airing on Premier Sports 2
This fixture could be game of the week. PSV will be arriving in Friesland off the back of a trip to Spain in the Europa League, but Roger Schmidt has been rotating his squad this season for moments like these. I’ve noticed this season how much Heerenveen have struggled against tougher opposition, in comparison to how easily they’ve put away teams below them in the table. If PSV play well, I don’t see how Heerenveen have the quality to defend against Malen, Gakpo and co. 1-2 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.
How has Michael done so far?
Week 1: 6/8 results (including 2 correct scores) + 3/8 betting tips
Week 2: 5/9 results (including 1 correct score) + 6/9 (1 void) betting tips
Week 3: 3/9 results + 6/9 betting tips
Week 4: 2/8 results + 5/8 betting tips
Week 5: 2/9 results (and 1 correct score) + 5/9 (1 void) betting tips
Week 6: 1/9 results + 3/9 betting tips
Week 7: 6/9 results + 9/9 betting tips!
Week 8: 5/9 results (and 1 correct score) + 5/9 betting tips
Week 9: 5/9 results (and 1 correct score) + 4/9 (1 void) betting tips
Week 10: 7/9 results (and 3 correct scores) + 7/9 betting tips
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Writer/interviewer/YouTuber for Football-Oranje. Massive Dutch football fan from the UK. Follow me @EredivisieMike & subscribe to Football-Oranje on YouTube.
