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
Saturday, 31st October
FC Twente v PEC Zwolle
Twente suffered their first defeat in six games against Utrecht last weekend, but they closely matched Utrecht for long spells of the game. Back at home, Twente will take the game to PEC Zwolle, who are developing the side of their game which makes them hard to beat. I predict a low number of goals in this one, and it’ll be close between a draw or a narrow home win. 1-0 | Tip: FC Twente double chance.
FC Groningen v VVV-Venlo
Groningen fans will be relatively pleased with their start to the campaign, and especially pleased that new striker Jorgen Strand Larsen scored a brace against Fortuna. The home team will need patience against VVV, who will be keen to show much better defensive display after their 13-0 hammering to Ajax. I don’t see how VVV can go from zero to hero in a week (despite their 4-2 cup win over Den Bosch), so I predict Groningen to find a way past the Venlo defence. 2-0 | Tip: Home win.
Ajax v Fortuna Sittard – LIVE on Premier Sports 1
I fear for Fortuna here. They’ve not had a great start, and whilst Kevin Hofland won’t be judged on his side’s result away at Ajax, they’ve been very generous defensively. Already though, the home match with PEC Zwolle the weekend after looks set to be pivotal in Fortuna’s season. Ajax will likely stick with the target-man striker approach with Lassana Traoré leading the line. I think he’ll score again. 4-0 | Tip: Ajax -2.5 goal Asian handicap.
Willem II v Vitesse Arnhem
I predicted both of these sides to be amongst the Eredivisie top seven in May. Willem II look well off that kind of form though and Vitesse are performing above these expectations. Adrie Koster looks to be working on his side’s defence; signing Jan-Arie van der Heijden and playing him in midfield has already helped. Vitesse’s win over PSV showed they could still win games without key players – an exciting signal of what may lay ahead for Thomas Letsch’s men. 1-1 | Tip: Both teams to score.
Sunday, 1st November
Heracles Almelo v FC Utrecht
This is a tricky game to call. I think there could be goals though, hence my betting tip. I reckon it will an open affair. Heracles wish to be amongst the top half of the Eredivisie, but they are lacking key players at the moment to elevate them to this level. Whilst they are usually strong at home, I think Utrecht will have the quality to use the space on the counter attack. 1-2 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.
FC Emmen v Feyenoord – Delayed airing on Premier Sports 2
The two previous Eredivisie encounters between these sides at De Oude Meerdijk have been gutsy and included many goals (finishing 1-4 and 3-3). I think Emmen, who are still without a win, will put last weekend’s drubbing to Heerenveen behind them; they played quite well before going a goal down and then losing two players to red cards. I expect an entertaining game. 2-1 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.
Sparta Rotterdam v Heerenveen
Henk Fraser nearly got it right against Heracles. He played a 5-3-2 which was so close to getting all three points. Sending-offs have been quite commonplace in this season’s Eredivisie so far, leading to some game-changing moments, including one which meant Sparta yet again dropped points. With Heerenveen in excellent goal-scoring form, I don’t see either side keeping a clean sheet. 1-2 | Tip: Both teams to score.
PSV v ADO Den Haag – Delayed airing on Premier Sports 1
ADO fought hard against AZ to claim a point last Sunday. There are still too many defensive problems though to expect the visitors here to find another result. PSV showed in their defeat to Vitesse that they really struggle for fluency without their key players, which may occur several more times this season – not a good sign for their push for the title. In their last-minute win over Omonia, they showed yet more improvement though to become a very strong team when everyone is fit and fluent playing together. Anyhow, this is a routine victory for PSV. 3-0 | Tip: PSV -2 Asian handicap.
AZ Alkmaar v RKC Waalwijk
After five league draws in a row, can AZ finally win? I’ve predicted them several wins now which were well within their grasp each time, before a calamitous last five minutes has lead to last-gasp goals and more dropped points. The Europa League group stage has proven to be a welcome distraction from the Eredivisie, which has so far yielded two wins from two. RKC meanwhile are ever improving. Winger Ola John is re-finding his old Twente form and they are fighting for points in every match this season. If AZ do win, I think it’ll be close. 2-1 | 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
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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.
