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 Joeri Gosens, who is a Social Media and Football Graphic Designer for companies such as Voetbal International, Forza Foldbold and Dutch club Willem II. You can visit Joeri’s website by clicking here.

  • by Michael Statham
  • Follow Michael on Twitter @EredivisieMike
  • Follow Joeri on Twitter @FootyGraphic

Sunday 29th April

Feyenoord v Sparta

Michael’s prediction: The Dutch Cup winners come into this Rotterdam derby in great form – reminiscent of their title winning campaign. Undoubtedly, Feyenoord will have enough to beat Sparta. Jorgensen to be amongst the scorers as he continues to try and impress before a summer transfer. 4-0

Joeri’s prediction: Feyenoord have just won the cup and are in a good flow. They have already secured the 4th spot in the Eredivisie and can’t win or lose a spot anymore. Sparta is still fighting against relegation and need every point. I think Feyenoord, especially when they give youngsters or reserves a chance, are motivated enough to make the difference. 3-1

Tip: Jorgensen to score.

NAC Breda v Heerenveen

Michael’s prediction: With NAC losing to relegation rivals Sparta last time out, they are now only three points above the drop zone. This home fixture with Heerenveen looks winnable but the Frisians are on a run of five games unbeaten.

The NAC defence is usually guilty of big mistakes during games and I think that could prove costly here again. Ultimately, I think NAC will be OK, mainly thanks to their strikers, but it’ll be a nervous end to the season. 2-2

Joeri’s prediction: NAC will really need the points in the battle against relegation especially with Roda JC on the rise, however the team has proven already they can’t really perform when under pressure, I think Jurgen Streppel’s Heerenveen will leave Breda with 3 points. 0-2

Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

PEC Zwolle v Willem II

Michael’s prediction: PEC’s rotten performances have continued. Had the Eredivisie results only counted for 2018, PEC would be bottom. How disappointing for so many of the squad who would have been in line for a big transfer in the summer.

I think PEC will earn a narrow victory against Willem II though, who have been hit with defensive injuries in recent weeks, leaving them with fringe players playing out of position to cover the gaps. 2-1

Joeri’s prediction: I’m a Willem II supporter and will be traveling to the away-end this game. Willem II are as good as safe in the Eredvisie and have, besides trying to get Fran Sol to win the league’s Golden Boot, nothing to play for anymore. Zwolle has been poor for a few weeks now but still have the play-off ticket to play for. I think Willem II will pick up the good form they had before the loss against Feyenoord. 1-2

Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

Ajax v AZ

Michael’s prediction: This is the pick of the fixtures to watch this weekend. I think it’s a shame that this wasn’t played earlier in the season, given that Ajax have fallen flat in the last few weeks and AZ will be low on confidence after their Dutch Cup final defeat.

There’s still a chance of AZ finishing second, but they would have to win here and hope for Ajax to slip up again on the final day of the season.

The criticism for Hakim Ziyech has been outrageous. He is the best player in the league and has shown it nearly every week in the Eredivisie. However, his attitude could be better for someone who is one of the oldest members of the Ajax squad, something which has always been a major weakness in Ziyech’s career.

As I have repeated on numerous occasions this season, AZ are a fine footballing side but have not yet figured out a way to beat Netherlands’ biggest sides. They have lost every one of their six meetings with Ajax, PSV and Feyenoord in all competitions this season. I think they will play five at the back again here and will continue to stutter as they did during the final, where the midfield play was uncharacteristically sloppy. I expect goals and a home win. 3-1

Joeri’s prediction: As everyone knows AZ are having difficulties with beating traditional top sides. Ajax haven’t had the best season and fans keep on complaining. I think AZ after the loss in the cup final will be determined to win at least one game against a top side and I think Ajax is the perfect opponent for them to get that win. 0-1

Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

Heracles v Utrecht

Michael’s prediction: Both of these sides’ campaigns look decided: Heracles are mid-table whilst Utrecht are going to finish fifth. Both are also a little off-colour lately.

I think that Utrecht will up their game a little before their Europa League play-offs. They will be able to pick the Almelo side off with counter-attacks, using the best of Gyrano Kerk, Sander van de Streek and Zakaria Labyad. 1-2

Joeri’s prediction: For both Utrecht and Heracles it’s been a while since they’ve grabbed their last win, however last week’s heroic late comeback may feel like one for Heracles. I think this confidence, combined with the advantage of playing at home will be enough to grab their first win since their game against Twente on the 9th of March. 2-1

Tip: Both teams to score.

Vitesse v Twente

Michael’s prediction: If Twente do not win this match, they will be relegated. The worst looks like it will happen for the fourth largest club in the Netherlands.

Vitesse have scored ten goals in their last two matches. Unfortunately, with Twente being so careless in defence, it’s so unlikely that they’ll keep a clean sheet here.

Vitesse have good qualities, but Twente just have to treat this as another match that they must go out and win. For me, their fate will be sealed in Arnhem. 2-1

Joeri’s prediction: This game could mean relegation for FC Twente, meanwhile Vitesse got rid of Henk Fraser and look fresh. They’ll want to be in a good flow for the play-offs and Twente will fight for their last chance but I don’t think they have enough quality. I think when they concede it will break them and Vitesse will get an easy win. 5-0

Tip: Both teams to score.

VVV-Venlo v Roda JC

Michael’s prediction: VVV continue to endure a slump in form. For them, the season could not end quickly enough. When Venlo inevitably lose manager Maurice Steijn in the summer, they will face a huge task of adding to the squad on a shoestring budget and dealing with players low on confidence following a drab end to the campaign.

I reckon Roda will pick up a vital away win here. Earlier in the season, I would have predicted the complete opposite but now they have found their feet. Manager Robert Molenaar has fitted the players to use their strengths in their formation and, most importantly, forwards such as Donis Avdijaj and Dani Schahin are linking up well and firing Roda to safety. 0-2

Joeri’s prediction: The battle of Limburg. VVV had a good start and are safe already but have fallen in the rankings. On the other side of the coin, Roda JC have had a impressive run trying to make a magic escape from the relegation play-off spot with last week almost grabbing the win against champions PSV. I think they will get three points from Venlo. 0-2

Tip: Roda JC double chance.

Groningen v Excelsior

Michael’s prediction: This week, Groningen supporters will be pleased to have heard that Ritsu Doan, Tom van de Looi and Ludoveit Reis have all signed new contracts – three exceptional, teenage talents.

Excelsior will be gutted to have thrown away two points last time out against Heracles. They have still had a strong season though, and I think they will show that again here. 1-1

Joeri’s prediction: Groningen have had one of their worst seasons and until recently had to fear for playing the play-offs, however their win against Roda secured them a spot in the Eredivise for next season as well. Excelsior have been steady once again and just like Groningen has nothing really to play for anymore. 3-1

Tip: Both teams to score.

Ajax v VVV-Venlo

Michael’s prediction: I was disappointed that ADO did go for it a little more against Heerenveen. A lacklustre performance saw them lose 2-0. Now they need to beat PSV if they would like to enter the Europa League play-off places.

ADO may have a good chance though, PSV drew 2-2 with Roda in their last match because they rested many of their first-team title winners. If PSV relax now that they have reached the end of the season, ADO will sense they can grab priceless points. 2-1

Joeri’s prediction: Both teams are having a good season with PSV obviously winning the league title. ADO could still reach the playoffs but I think in the end the quality from the PSV side will make the difference. 1-4

Tip: ADO double chance.

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

How has Michael done so far?

[Crypto’s success from weeks 1 to 14 – Hit Rate: 60% & Average Odds: 1.70]

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: 3W – 6L – 0V (versus Sheffield Wednesday defender Joost van Aken)

Week 11: Michael: 3 results // Crypto: N/A (versus Football-Oranje editor Michael Bell)

Week 12: Michael: 3 results // Crypto: 7W – 1L – 1V (versus Opta Sports’ Bart Frouws)

Week 13: Michael: 7 results, 3 correct scores // Crypto: 6W – 3L – 0V (versus Football-Oranje writer James Rowe)

Week 14: Michael: 4 results // Crypto: 4W – 4L – 1V (versus Football-Oranje editor Michael Bell)

Week 15: Michael: 3 results // Crypto: N/A (versus Ajax Daily’s Bradley Dobson)

Week 16: Michael: 3 results // Crypto: N/A (versus Dutch football writer Alex Dieker)

Week 17: Michael: 5 results // Crypto: N/A (versus [Ajax Daily] writer Alex Moretto)

Week 18: Michael: 4 results, 2 correct scores (versus Piłka w Holandii writer Adam Sankowski)

Week 19: Michael: 3 results (versus Bristol City Women defender Danique Kerkdijk)

Week 20: Michael: 3 results (versus FC Groningen clubwatcher Merijn Slagter)

Week 21: Michael: 4 results (versus Total 14 Football Academy director Craig Hellier)

Week 22: Michael: 5 results (versus Football-Oranje writer James Rowe)

Week 23: Michael: 4 results (versus alternative-rock band Nemesea)

Week 24: Michael: 3 results, 1 correct score (versus Brentford winger Florian Jozefzoon)

Week 25: Michael: 3 results (versus football artist Barry Pirovano)

Week 26: Michael: 5 results, 1 correct score (versus commentator Michiel Teeling)

Week 27: Michael: 4 results, 1 correct score (versus Football-Oranje writer Alex Royal)

Week 28: Michael: 5 results, 2 correct scores (versus commentator Paul Thomas Clay)

Week 29: Michael: 4 results, 1 correct score (versus Dutch football writer and analyst Alex Dieker)

Week 30: Michael: 4 results (versus Burnley’s Icelandic winger Johann Berg Gudmundsson)

Week 31: Michael 3 results, 1 correct score (versus Ziggo Sport editor Joep Smeets)

Week 32: Michael 3 results, 1 correct score (versus secretary of England’s Toolstation Northern Counties East Leagues Matt Jones)




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Michael Statham (851 Posts)

Writer/interviewer/YouTuber for Football-Oranje. Massive Dutch football fan from the UK. Follow me @EredivisieMike & subscribe to Football-Oranje on YouTube.