Every week in the 2021/22 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, 20th November
PSV v Vitesse Arnhem
It was a surprise to see PSV go joint-top before the international break given some of their struggles so far this season. PSV supporters will be relieved to be in this situation given their injuries and the way they were thrashed by Ajax. Vitesse sit in a strong fifth place after twelve games, and they will give the Eindhoven side a difficult game. I think PSV will edge out victory in a hard-earned three points. 2-1 | Tip: Both teams to score.
Spata Rotterdam v FC Twente
Sparta finally earnt their first clean sheet of the season two weeks ago, as well as a very welcome three points. 22-year-old goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, who has been impressive in the Eredivisie, has been sold to Watford, but he will remain in Rotterdam until the summer. Okoye will be important if Sparta are going to continue their turnaround against Twente. 1-0 | Tip: Under 3.5 goals.
AZ Alkmaar v NEC Nijmegen
NEC are going from strength to strength in the Eredivisie. They should have beaten Heerenveen last time out, but they still sit seventh! AZ are the better side on paper, and the majority of their squad will have remained in Alkmaar to train over the past two weeks – so important when you have been playing twice a week for most weeks of the season until now. AZ won’t find this easy, but if they take the game to their opponents, they will have the quality to win. 2-1 | Tip: AZ team goals +1.5.
Heracles Almelo v Fortuna Sittard
Heracles are now peering below themselves in the table, rather than looking up. Victory over struggling Fortuna will ease concerns that they are going to be drawn into a Winter relegation scrap. I think Frank Wormuth has attacking personnel problems because Rai Vloet has been unable to score as heavily as he was last season from midfield, their wingers are inconsistent, and Kaj Sierhuis has never been a prolific striker. So if they win, it’ll be a narrow one. 1-1 | Tip: Under 3.5 goals.
Sunday, 21st November
Go Ahead Eagles v FC Groningen
Two weeks ago, Go Ahead were able to scrape a point with some excellent defending at Ajax. They have been adapting their style to their opponent. Groningen continue to disappoint; Go Ahead’s bounce could be too much for the visitors to handle. 2-0 | Tip: Home win.
Feyenoord v PEC Zwolle
We’ve seen PEC Zwolle go to PSV and AZ lately and take the lead before quality told. I think they will go to De Kuip with a plan, but Feyenoord have the firepower if they go late into a game needing a goal – Cyriel Dessers has five from the bench already this season. I actually don’t think Zwolle will be able to keep it tight for long on Sunday, and this could be a tough start for new head coach Dick Schreuder, who arrived this week from Vitesse’s coaching team. 4-0 | Tip: Feyenoord -1.5 Asian handicap.
Heerenveen v Willem II
Heerenveen have gone off the boil recently, but this game offers them a chance to get back to winning ways after only one win in six. To explain, Willem II have conceded eleven goals in their last three, plus they have not won at all in their last six in all competitions. 1-0 | Tip: Under 3.5 goals.
RKC Waalwijk v Ajax
Ajax have struggled to kill games off early in the Eredivisie, winning ony two of their last five domestic matches. It gives sides extra energy to seek out a result when Ajax don’t go at 100% from the first minute. However, I don’t see RKC continuing this run…then again I didn’t ever foresee Go Ahead Eagles getting a point a fortnight ago either. 0-3 | Tip: Ajax -1.5 Asian handicap.
Cambuur v FC Utrecht
I think this could be a entertaining fixture to watch on Sunday. Cambuur have continued their attacking style from the Keuken Kampioen Divisie; it’s also been a pleasure to see so many of their players excel in the Eredivisie again after spending some time developing in the Dutch second tier. Utrecht lost at Vitesse last time out and they weren’t particularly impressive, which is unlike them given their recent run. I did wonder whether Utrecht’s bubble would burst because they have been so good at picking up points in the league. I am unsure which way this one will go, but I will plump for Cambuur. 2-1 | Tip: Double chance Cambuur/Utrecht win.
How has Michael done so far?
Week 1: 4/9 results | 5/9 betting tips
Week 2: 4/8 results | 6/8 betting tips
Week 3: 5/9 results | 6/9 betting tips
Week 4: 4/8 results | 5/8 betting tips
Week 5: 5/9 results | 7/9 betting tips
Week 6: 4/9 results and 1 correct score | 8/9 betting tips
Week 7: 5/9 results and 1 correct score | 7/9 betting tips
Week 8: 6/9 results and 1 correct score | 6/9 betting tips
Week 9: 2/9 results | 3/8* betting tips *-one void
Week 10: 4/9 results and 1 correct score | 6/9 betting tips
Week 11: 5/9 results | 4/9 betting tips
Week 12: 4/9 results | 4/9 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.
