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 fellow Football-Oranje writer Kieran Noble.
Sunday 6th May
AZ v PEC Zwolle
Michael’s prediction: I think this will be one of many comfortable wins in the Eredivisie this weekend. Although AZ have had a few injuries recently, they still have the firepower to beat a PEC Zwolle side that have plummeted in form since the Winter break. 3-1
Kieran’s prediction: AZ have had a brilliant season and will want to finish it off in style here against a Zwolle side who are lacking confidence after only winning once in their last eleven. They also need to better Heerenveen’s result to make the play-offs which looked a certain at Christmas. However, I cannot see them getting a result in Alkmaar. 2-1
Tip: Over 2.5 goals.
Excelsior v Ajax
Michael’s prediction: Excelsior have enjoyed a good season but should be no match for Ajax who are playing some good football now that the pressure of the season is largely off them. It will be a farewell game for many Ajax players. 1-3
Kieran‘s prediction: Excelsior have had a fairly stable season and will want to build on it for next year, while Ajax will be disappointed at how the season has gone. It’s now four seasons without a domestic title for them. Ajax to win for me. 1-3
Tip: Over 2.5 goals.
Twente v NAC Breda
Michael’s prediction: Now that Twente are relegated, might they loosen up a little bit? Unlikely. They will be severely low on confidence and tough to motivate.
NAC are safe after an excellent win over Heerenveen last time out. I think they will take that performance into this one and come away with at least a draw. Stijn Vreven can leave NAC in the summer with his head definitely held up high. 1-2
Kieran‘s prediction: My team Twente are already relegated, and it was a tough one to take on Sunday. It’s the first time the Tukkers will be playing in the second division since the 1980’s. NAC on the other hand, are all but safe thanks to their superior goal difference over Roda. I hope and think Twente will say goodbye to the Eredivisie with a win. 1-0
Tip: Over 2.5 goals.
Utrecht v VVV-Venlo
Michael’s prediction: Another great campaign from Utrecht has been soured by a run of six matches without a win. Whilst they have still managed to score in every one of those games, they have also failed to keep a clean sheet.
VVV are another side on poor form but their run extends to longer-term. Utrecht should be able to win well on the final day. 3-1
Kieran‘s prediction: Both sides are in horrible runs of form right now, with six and twelve without a win respectively. VVV can be thankful for their brilliant first half of the season or else they may have been in a relegation scrap. I think the home side will go into the play offs on the back of a comfortable win here. 2-0
Tip: Utrecht -1.5 Asian Handicap.
Heerenveen v Feyenoord
Michael’s prediction: Heerenveen are picking up some good results at a good time just before their Europa League play-offs. They have a decent chance of qualifying and the squad seems to have developed to a good level ahead of next season when not many of their better players should leave in the summer.
For that reason, I anticipate a small surprise on the final day. I am predicting a home win against Feyenoord despite their excellent turnaround in performances and Dutch Cup final win. 2-1
Kieran‘s prediction: A point here for Heerenveen should just be enough to secure a play-off spot.
It has been a poor defence of Feyenoord’s title to say the least. I expect some of their main men will depart for bigger things this summer. 1-2
Tip: Both teams to score.
PSV v Groningen
Michael’s prediction: In the last couple of games since lifting the Eredivisie title, PSV have dropped points. Although it must be noted that they have played some fringe players in that time, they have taken their foot off the gas. In a relaxed Eindhoven, I think the home side will put a few past the visitors who will arrive simply wanting a mediocre season to be over. 4-1
Kieran‘s prediction: PSV will be delighted by their league campaign this year and it’s now their third in four seasons, a great achievement by them. Groningen will be very disappointed meanwhile. I don’t think it’ll get any better for them in Eindhoven either. 4-0
Tip: PSV -1.5 Asian handicap.
Roda JC v ADO Den Haag
Michael’s prediction: Roda have performed well since Christmas to dig themselves out of trouble. Most of the time it wasn’t pretty but their strikers have lifted their game to reach the relative safety of a relegation play-off. They’ll face a weaker team from the Eerste Divisie than Sparta, who sit below Roda in the table.
I think they’ll battle well with ADO, who are chasing a Europa League play-off place. I fancy Roda to win here though, even if ADO are the only team with something to fight for. Roda will still want to come into their play-off with some confidence. 1-2
Kieran‘s prediction: Roda will surely be competing in the Jupiler League play offs unless they can overcome a ten goal deficit over NAC. Den Haag however still have a small chance of making the play-offs if they win here and other results go their way. I think they will fall short though in Kerkrade. 1-0
Tip: Both teams to score.
Sparta v Heracles
Michael’s prediction: Sparta are to finish the season in seventeenth, meaning they will have to beat two strong Jupiler League teams over two legs (each) to remain in the Dutch top flight. A confident performance here will set them up for the crucial matches ahead.
In recent weeks they have been very good and had Dick Advocaat been in charge for the entire season, I’m sure Sparta would have been closer to mid-table than relegation trouble. 2-1
Kieran‘s prediction: Sparta will need to win the play-offs to be able to compete for a third successive season in the Eredivise. Heracles have had a half decent season however will want to push on next time round. I can see this being a bore draw. 0-0
Tip: Sparta draw no bet.
Willem II v Vitesse
Michael’s prediction: Because of Willem II’s depleted squad and far from convincing defence, I will back Vitesse to continue their free-flowing attacking form, in which they have netted 15 goals in only three games.
It’s been a topsy-turvy campaign for the Arnhem outfit in particular, but both teams will have a very different complexion come August. 1-3
Kieran‘s prediction: Willem II have pulled themselves clear of danger since the departure of manager Erwin van de Looi. They will want to push on towards the other end of the table next season, something that will be difficult without top scorer Fran Sol, who will undoubtably be at the interest of other clubs. Vitesse’s play off spot is guaranteed. 1-1
Tip: Over 2.5 goals.
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)
Week 33: Michael: 5 results (versus football graphic designer FootyGraphic)
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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.
