Eredivisie Predictions & Betting 22/23: Round 6

Every week in the 2021/22 season, Football-Oranje’s Michael Statham gives you his previews and predictions for each Dutch Eredivisie round.

• by Michael Statham
• Follow Michael on Twitter @EredivisieMike

Friday, 9th September

FC Volendam v Go Ahead Eagles

Whilst Volendam created some good chances in the first half last weekend, they crumbled in the second half in a 4-0 drubbing to Sparta. They were undone by some quick play by their opponents.

This is quite tricky to predict given that Volendam look vulnerable to conceding goals, and Go Ahead are due a response after losing all of their opening five games.

It looks like a game between two teams that will be fighting it out to avoid relegation. Home advantage and the quality of strikers look set to make the difference for Wim Jonk. This would be an important home win to put the wheels back in motion after shipping a lot of goals in the past week.

2-0

Saturday, 10th September

NEC Nijmegen v Fortuna Sittard

Landry ‘Nany’ Dimata has been signed on loan by NEC to provide a striker who can link up with the talented attacking midfielders at the club.

The best signing of the summer for NEC looks set to be Jasper Cillessen, who was on fine form keeping a clean sheet last weekend.

I’ve gone from a position of viewing Fortuna quite highly to now thinking this could be six defeats from the opening six. Until a competent new head coach comes in, this team could continue to struggle. There is no doubt though that this team has potential.

2-1

Ajax v Heerenveen

Alfred Schreuder’s reputation rose a little more after an excellent showing from Ajax in their Champions League 4-0 win over Rangers. There was some fluid football and a top performance from Mohammed Kudus, which leads many to think that he may finally get his run in the first team.

Heerenveen have achieved four clean sheets from five – a marvellous defensive achievement. A big part of this successful run is down to goalkeeper Andries Noppert, who was called up to the Netherlands provisional squad last week for his performances.

The visitors look set for a good season, but I don’t think they have quite enough quality to take something away from Ajax. They shouldn’t be thrashed though, and I can see Ajax getting a little frustrated after their display on Wednesday. I’m just not sure how the Frisians can make the ball stick in attack, and long balls on the counter attack to Amin Sarr might be their only outlet.

2-1

Excelsior v FC Emmen

Excelsior have lost their last three conceding fifteen times in the process. Their weaknesses are being exposed in the Eredivisie after a somewhat fortunate promotion last season, and a lack of summer signings.

For struggling Emmen, who have one win, one draw, and three losses from their opening five, this could be an opportunity to put some confidence back into the team after some tough fixtures. I watched them in their defeat to AZ; it seemed like they were just up against too much quality that day, which is a compliment to how AZ are playing right now, and not necessarily how poor Emmen have started.

I wonder whether this game will have some goals in after recent displays by both teams.

2-2

Sunday, 11th September

FC Utrecht v Vitesse Arnhem

Utrecht finally got their first win of the season when Anastasios Douvikas netter a hat trick in a 3-4 win at Fortuna last time out.

Meanwhile, Vitesse were defensively more resolute and deserved their three points at Groningen last weekend. They have some fresh faces producing a spark in attack.

Two sides then that have had slow starts, but last season finished seventh and sixth. Utrecht have more quality, but have been set up incorrectly so far.

I am predicting a low-scoring game (with Vitesse sitting deep), but one of Utrecht’s dangerous strikers to be the difference-maker.

1-0

PSV v RKC Waalwijk

Sunday sees a number of teams involved in Europe playing only a few days later back in the Eredivisie.

PSV will have enough to see off RKC, but I see this being a trickier-than-expected affair, with RKC a plucky side no matter who they face, and the hosts lacking an edge after Thursday’s game.

2-1

Cambuur v FC Groningen

Two sides from the north of the Netherlands meet. Neither side has thrilled so far, but Cambuur have had the tougher start.

The home side will score this time. Their record of not scoring in four out of five games so far isn’t a fair reflection on what they can achieve. Whereas Groningen struggled tremendously without sold star striker Jorgen Strand Larson when they played Vitesse; they couldn’t even muster a shot on target at home in their 0-1 loss.

1-0

AZ Alkmaar v FC Twente

In the Eredivisie, AZ have grown into an exciting team to watch this season so far. This a tricky game to predict against Twente, who would both consider themselves direct rivals in the table – both have good quality players striving for a top four finish.

Last season, AZ lost this fixture to an up-and-coming Twente team. The visitors have continued to improve, and they have taken some great scalps already this season; the latest one being a 2-1 win over PSV the previous weekend. There is competition for places at Twente and a real sense of togetherness around the squad and the manager.

Twente are usually stronger at home, but I think they will put on another good performance.

2-2

Feyenoord v Sparta Rotterdam

Back to Eredivisie commitments after a trip to Lazio on Thursday, Feyenoord may rotate the squad again to involve some newer players, but that doesn’t mean a weakened team. Arne Slot can sense his new-look side coming together very early with few blips in the road.

Sparta are a mid-table team that have enjoyed a positive beginning to the new season, having seven points from five matches and running Ajax and AZ close at home. Striker Tobias Lauritsen continues to impress, but I think Gernot Trauner is strong enough and wise enough to take better care of the lanky Norwegian striker.

2-0

How has Michael got on so far?

Week 1: 6/9 results + 8/9 bets

Week 2: 2/9 results + 6/9 bets

Week 3: 4/6 results + 3/4 bets

Week 4: 4/9 results + 2/4 bets

Week 5: 4/9 results and 1 correct score + 3/4 bets