Eredivisie Predictions & Betting 20/21: Round 24

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, 26th February

PEC Zwolle v Heerenveen

It was such a disappointing performance from PEC Zwolle last weekend to lose to lowly Emmen, so it was no surprise that John Stegeman lost his job as manager. It will take a little while to appoint the right man in my opinion, but the club are an opportunity for some fresh ideas. This winnable game may come too soon for the home side as Heerenveen look raring to go with their new-look midfield. The lack of wingers makes the Frisians rather narrow in their attacks, but they are a different proposition with the experience and guile that their central midfielders possess. Against a Zwolle midfield that is lacking effort at times, I can’t see any other outcome. 0-2 | Tip: Away win.

Saturday, 27th February

FC Utrecht v FC Emmen

Even though Emmen won their first game of the season last weekend, they probably can count themselves out of getting another victory against in-form Utrecht, who have won six in seven. René Hake’s men should exercise some caution against Emmen because of their increased confidence arriving in Utrecht, but they seem to be firing in all areas of the pitch at the moment. 2-0 | Tip: Utrecht -1.5 Asian handicap.

ADO Den Haag v RKC Waalwijk

I was impressed with RKC’s chance creation against Heracles last time out; they’re always improving after last season’s disaster. ADO keep trundling along picking up the odd point here or there, but they aren’t collecting the wins they’ll need to survive. Beating the Waalwijk outfit this weekend is therefore vital to drag RKC back into the relegation picture – the visitors will know the importance of a draw if they cannot win. 1-1 | Tip: Both teams to score.

Vitesse Arnhem v VVV-Venlo

This match is a warm-up of the Dutch Cup semi-final coming up in mid-week. You’d say that Vitesse are favourites for both of the ties, particularly after AZ easily took VVV apart last weekend. Vitesse were the better team for long periods away at PSV last Sunday; they created plenty of opportunities. I think their recent blip will be over. 2-0 | Tip: Under 3.5 goals.

Heracles Almelo v FC Twente – LIVE on Premier Sports 2

I’m looking forward to this derby. This one is quite a mid-table affair but Twente in particular have some promising young players on show. They looked to have cured their attacking problems against Feyenoord last Sunday, and they now have some verve back. A game that could go either way! 1-2 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

Sunday, 28th February

Sparta Rotterdam v Willem II

Sparta are winless in six, whilst Willem II have just conceded eleven goals in their last two games. I think this fixture favours Sparta the most. They should feed off the visitors’ clear lack of confidence and put their wobbly defence under a lot of pressure. Willem II’s short-lived response from their players has faded, which is a shame because there was so much quality on display in Tilburg last season. 2-0 | Tip: Home win.

FC Groningen v Fortuna Sittard

Fortuna Sittard have been fantastic in recent weeks. They have been edging victories in convincing fashion. Their defence has been so much tighter and their forward players are linking up so well – quite obvious then why they now sit ninth. I do, however, think that Groningen will be a difficult step up compared to more recent matches. 2-1 | Tip: Both teams to score.

PSV v Ajax – Delayed airing on Premier Sports 1

In terms of results, Ajax have enjoyed an excellent beginning to 2021. The performances can still improve, but they still hold the upper edge over PSV, both in terms of points in the table and players on the pitch. Donyell Malen and Eran Zahavi give PSV some awesome firepower, and they ran Ajax ragged in the first half of the reverse fixture in January. I don’t think the outcome of this game will have any bearing on the title race because Ajax are so far ahead. The key battles in midfield will be won by Ajax; PSV’s only chance of winning will come by playing it long to use the pace and quality of their two strikers. 1-1 | Tip: Ajax double chance.

AZ Alkmaar v Feyenoord – Delayed airing on Premier Sports 1

I’ve been quite critical lately of Feyenoord. They built their good reputation this season upon a solid defence, but they aren’t winning anywhere near as often in 2021. There’s no striker to dig them out of trouble: Nicolai Jorgensen has been ever so flat, Lucas Pratto has been a waste of money, and Bryan Linssen isn’t an out-and-out striker – especially when he’s so isolated. AZ are going through another positive patch in their season. They haven’t hit top form but they are much too good for Feyenoord at the moment. 2-0 | Tip: AZ team goals +1.5.

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

Week 11: 5/9 results (and 2 correct scores) + 8/9 betting tips

Week 12: 2/9 results + 4/9 betting tips

Week 13: 4/9 results (and 1 correct score) + 6/9 betting tips

Week 14: 3/9 results (and 1 correct score) + 7/9 betting tips

Week 15: 1/9 results + 3/9 betting tips

Week 16: 2/9 results + 1/9 betting tips

Week 17: 6/9 results and 1 correct score + 5/8 (1 void) betting tips

Week 18: 5/9 results and 3 correct scores + 4/9 betting tips

Week 19: 6/9 results + 6/9 betting tips

Week 20: 2/9 results and 1 correct scores + 2/9 betting tips

Week 21: *snow cancellations – 1/5 results + 2/5 betting tips

Week 22: 5/9 results and 2 correct scores + 7/9 betting tips

Week 23: 5+?/9 results and 2 correct scores + 5+?/9 betting tips