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, 18th September

VVV-Venlo v FC Utrecht

What a crazy game experienced by VVV last weekend – a 5-3 win in Emmen. That type of goal-scoring form is not what we’re accustomed to seeing when it comes to the side from Venlo. Utrecht may take extra precautions here in what is their first game of the season. I see this being a draw or a tight victory for the away side. 1-2 | Tip: Utrecht draw no bet.

Saturday, 19th September

AZ Alkmaar v PEC Zwolle

AZ underwhelmingly exited Europe in midweek to Dynamo Kiev. Their midfield seems to be the issue, as they have a lot of controlling midfielders in the team who like to dominate the play without carving open defences. They’ll come in handy at home to PEC Zwolle though, so long as the forwards are also sharper on the night. I think PEC will defend well but succumb to defeat. 1-0 | Tip: Under 2.5 goals.

Vitesse Arnhem v Sparta Rotterdam

Naturally, Vitesse are favourites to win this, as well as the fact they play at home. I thought Vitesse looked OK against RKC, but I was surprised they didn’t score more. Despite Sparta having a man extra in their defeat to Ajax, I don’t think they truly ever looked dangerous in creating chances. I predict a repeat performance at Vitesse – some endeavour, but no cutting edge. 2-0 | Tip: Home win.

PSV v FC EmmenLIVE on Premier Sports 2

I was very impressed with what Cody Gakpo, Donyell Malen and Noni Madueke brought to PSV’s attack in their win at Groningen. There are so many goals in that front line, which Roger Schmidt can chop and change for midweek games or in case of injury. Defence is where their worries remain, but PSV will have too much at home to have to worry about defending. 5-0 | Tip: PSV -2.5 Asian handicap.

Fortuna Sittard v Heerenveen

Fortuna didn’t get off on the right foot on the opening weekend, whereas Heerenveen impressed. That points to an away win, but Fortuna have always been more favourable in their home stadium, where of course fans have made a socially distanced return. Either way, I think this will be an entertaining game. 2-2 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

Sunday, 20th September

ADO Den Haag v FC Groningen

ADO fans are feeling a little distraught that little seems to have changed on the pitch despite their raft of summer signings. The problem is, the new players (on the whole) are barely experienced at Eredivisie level. Groningen made a good game of it against PSV last time out, and should be looking to earn three points in the Hague. 1-2 | Tip: Away win.

Willem II v Heracles Almelo

After disappointing in their 2-0 defeat at Heerenveen, I thought that Willem II (and in particular Vangelis Pavlidis) looked very good in their 0-5 Europa League win in Luxembourg. Heracles swept away ADO last Sunday, with Sylvester van der Water standing out on the wing, who still looks set to depart Almelo before the transfer window closes. I’m finding this a difficult game to call, but I’ll go with a home win. 2-1 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

Feyenoord v FC TwenteLIVE on Premier Sports 2

Feyenoord played as expected in their win at PEC Zwolle. They’re not going to blow teams away offensively like Ajax, AZ and PSV can, but under Advocaat, they can grind out away results and continue to be imperious at home. In a pre-season friendly in De Kuip, Twente played quite well, and I’m interested to see whether they can show the same attacking flair that was visible in their win over Fortuna the previous Saturday. For me, the difference will be whether Twente can hold on to a result late into the game – I think not. 3-1 | Tip: Feyenoord +1.5 team goals.

Ajax v RKC WaalwijkLIVE on Premier Sports 2

There is such a great disparity between these two teams. RKC haven’t been able to add too much quality to the side that finished bottom last season. Vurnon Anita returns to Amsterdam, and I don’t see it being a happy visit. 6-0| Tip: Ajax -2.5 Asian handicap.

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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.