Every week in the 2017/18 season, Football-Oranje writer Michael Statham offers you his predictions for each Eredivisie round, accompanied by his betting tips. Michael competes against a different special guest each week. This time, it’s Michael Bell, editor and founder of Football-Oranje.com.

Friday 3rd November

Sparta v Heerenveen

Michael Statham’s prediction: It was a much needed win for Sparta over Groningen last weekend. It was lucky though, and I think Heerenveen will create even more opportunities.

So, even though the Frisians have lost four on the spin, scoring only twice and conceding thirteen along the way, I’m backing them to return to winning ways here. 1-2

Michael Bell’s prediction: Heerenveen had an excellent start to the season but their form has nosedived recently with four straight league losses. On the other hand, Sparta got a confidence-boosting win last weekend. I worry about Sparta’s ability to score goals and I think it is only a matter of time before Heerenveen get back to winning ways.

I say Heerenveen scrape a victory. 1-2

Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

Saturday 4th November

AZ v Willem II

Michael Statham’s prediction: It took AZ until the last minute to net their winner over Heerenveen, but it was fully deserved. They looked pretty good again, and I wonder if we’re seeing the start of something special, especially seeing as the starting line-up has often contained multiple youth products.

The doubt still hangs though over manager John van den Brom. Last time they faced a winnable home match, they were defeated by Excelsior, so this one with Willem II is another chance to show their true credentials for a top three push.

Willem II have talisman Fran Sol back in the side and the performance against Ajax was highly charged, but I don’t think it’ll be enough here. 3-1

Michael Bell‘s prediction: AZ Alkmaar are for me the fourth best side in the Eredivisie and I think they will run Feyenoord close for third place this season. John van den Brom’s side have won their last two games and I fully expect AZ to beat Willem II this weekend, although the return of Fran Sol will boost the Tilburg side. 3-1

Tip: Home win.

Excelsior v Roda JC

Michael Statham’s prediction: Excelsior’s stunning away form now sees them sitting in seventh place. It’s beyond the expectations of many fans and they now have a home game with bottom of the table Roda.

Roda are a stronger side at home, though, hence the point with champions Feyenoord last time out. However, I think Roda will play a tight game on the small pitch. Roda’s strikers are efficient too, so I’m predicting an away win. 0-1

Michael Bell’s prediction: Roda JC are for me the worst side in the Eredivisie but they managed to hold an out of form Feyenoord to a draw last weekend. That will give them confidence, but they will come up against an Excelsior side that hasn’t lost in three games and impressively beat Twente in Enschede last week. The hosts are definite favourites for me. 2-0

Tip: Under 3 goals.

Heracles v Groningen

Michael Statham’s prediction: Heracles enjoyed a simple win last time over VVV but I feel they will flounder here.

Groningen play with more freedom away from home and were perhaps a little unlucky to not pick up a point last weekend. There is more desire in the side in recent weeks, goalscorer 17-year-old Ludovit Reis was particularly refreshing to watch. The noticeable fault last week was defensive lapses. Cut that out and a decent performance awaits. 1-2

Michael Bell’s prediction: Groningen are in real crisis form at the moment and Ernest Faber must be in real trouble after no win in four games. With the suspension of Mimoun Mahi and Oussama Idrissi, Groningen are missing something going forward, while Heracles sparkled in the attack last week in their win over VVV. In Brandley Kuwas they have an attacker in real form and I think he will make the difference again this weekend. 2-1

Tip: Both teams to score – yes.

VVV-Venlo v NAC Breda

Michael Statham’s prediction: Both of these newly promoted teams enjoyed promising starts to the season, but are now facing reality.

12th placed VVV don’t have the best attack but are now leaking goals. I think in this match they will battle NAC and have the quality to take their chances.

NAC took part in an epic 2-2 encounter at Utrecht last Sunday. Their brave approach saw them score goals after previously failing in their last three games, however they did concede too many opportunities.

I hope we see the new, attacking NAC again. Then we’ll have a game on our hands. 1-1

Michael Bells prediction: The battle of the two promoted sides. VVV can be a great side to watch at times, but last week they were easily beaten by Heracles, which means it’s 3 straight losses. NAC have struggled this season but they showed some good form to hold Utrecht to a draw last weekend, with Thierry Ambrose particularly impressive.

VVV are slight favourites going into the game, but I think NAC will earn another point. 1-1

Tip: Both teams to score – yes.

Sunday 5th November

ADO Den Haag v Feyenoord

Feyenoord have lost all four of their Champions League games this season.

Michael Statham’s prediction: Feyenoord will expect a battling performance here, but that tends to play to the Rotterdammers’ strengths. The issue at the moment is the lack of goals.

ADO score less than a goal per game on average and here I would be tempted to play Bjorn Johnsen along with poacher Erik Falkenburg in attack to trouble Feyenoord further. That said, I feel this is where Feyenoord’s turn around can begin. 1-2

Michael Bell’s prediction: Feyenoord are in horrible form and their title defence is currently in tatters. Defensively they are all over the place and the midfield isn’t creating enough for their attack. They desperately need a win against ADO Den Haag, but the host have the tools to give Feyenoord some problems, especially through El Khayati.

It won’t be easy but I see Feyenoord finally winning again. 1-2

Tip: Both teams to score – yes.

Ajax v Utrecht

Michael Statham’s prediction: Hakim Ziyech was right. Ajax are beginning to play a lot better now and are certainly on their way towards championship form. The meeting with PSV in December looks exciting.

They were initially dampened by the sad news about Abdelhak Nouri but now seem driven by it to win their 34th title (’34’ being Nouri’s shirt number).

Utrecht could have scored a hatful against NAC, but had to settle for a draw. They will face a barrage of attacks here, including David Neres who is on fire, and their defending is not as solid as Erik Ten Hag would like. 3-0

Michael Bell‘s prediction: After such an impressive campaign last season, Utrecht have been a bit of a disappointment so far this season for me. Eric ten Hag’s side are clearly struggling with the loss of Sebastien Haller, and don’t look defensively strong. They are coming up against an Ajax side that’s winning games and starting to score goals. I can see the hosts winning convincingly. 4-0

Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

Vitesse v PEC Zwolle

Michael Statham’s prediction: Fifth meets third. Vitesse are a good side but have faltered at key moments so far this season to remind you they’re not yet at top three level. The shocking cup defeat and disappointing defeat to Zulte Waregem on Thursday have dragged down a decent first ten league games.

Meanwhile, PEC Zwolle are playing with huge confidence at the moment. The individual quality of the players is good and the skills started to come out against ADO. When a setback hits them though, it could all start to change. But I think they could cause an upset again here. 1-2

Michael Bells prediction: PEC Zwolle have been a revelation so far this season and have only lost one game so far. They head to Arnhem full of confidence and looking to consolidate themselves as real contenders for the top four. They are defensively sound and a danger going forward and I think they will give Vitesse a good game this weekend. The hosts got taught a lesson by PSV last weekend and may be tired after their Europa League tie. A draw is the most likely result for me. 1-1

Tip: Both teams to score – yes.

PSV v Twente

Michael Statham’s prediction: The weekend finishes with an opportunity for PSV to reach 10 wins out of 11. I saw a poll this week quizzing fans whether or not Jurgen Locadia deserves a Netherlands call up. The result was strongly in favour of Locadia not playing for Oranje later this month, which I think is wrong. He has turned round his attitude in matches and now is determined to improve his game. He should reap the rewards.

Gertjan Verbeek was announced as the new Twente manager this week. It’s a tricky first fixture for him but I’m sure he will turn the club’s fortunes around over the next 2-3 years. 3-1

Michael Bell‘s prediction: PSV are undoubtedly the best side in the Eredivisie at the moment and have the ability to tear teams apart through Hirving Lozano and Jurgen Locadia. Twente will arrive in Eindhoven looking to impress new boss Gertjan Verbeek, but their loss at home to Excelsior last weekend highlighted just how weak they are. PSV are heavy favourites for this one and I can’t see how the Twente defence can hold out should the hosts hit their stride. 4-1

Tip: Home win.

Agree/disagree with our predictions and betting tips? Did we win/lose you a fortune? Tweet us!

How have Michael & Crypto done so far?

Crypto’s running success – Hit Rate: 56% & Average Odds: 1.65

Week 1: Michael: 3 results // Crypto: 5W – 3L – 1V (versus PSV-watcher and journalist Rik Elfrink)

Week 2: Michael: 7 results, 2 correct scores // Crypto: 6W – 1L – 2V (versus commentator Paul Thomas Clay)

Week 3: Michael: 6 results, 1 correct score // Crypto: 5W – 2L – 2V (versus [Ajax Daily] writer Alex Moretto)

Week 4: Michael: 4 results, 1 correct score // Crypto: 6W – 2L – 1V (versus Sky journalist Joshua Hayward)

Week 5: Michael: 2 results, 1 correct score // Crypto: 5W – 4L – 0V (versus commentator Richard Connelly)

Week 6: Michael: 1 result // Crypto: 4W – 5L – 0V (versus Football Manager researcher Jeroen Thijssen)

Week 7: Michael: 5 results // Crypto: 6W – 3L – 0V (versus Ajax Daily’s Bradley Dobson)

Week 8: Michael: 3 results, 1 correct score // Crypto: 5W – 2L – 2V (versus journalist Sjors van Veen)

Week 9: Michael: 2 results // Crypto: 4W – 4L – 1V (versus engels-voetbal’s Ferdi Delies)

Week 10: Michael: 4 results, 2 correct scores // Crypto: W – L – V (versus Sheffield Wednesday defender Joost van Aken)




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.