Every week in the 2017/18 season, Football-Oranje writer Michael Statham offers you his predictions for each Eredivisie round, accompanied by betting tips from Betsmobil’s Dutch football tipster Crypto. Michael competes against a different special guest each week. This time, it’s Sjors van Veen, who is a senior editor for Ajax Showtime, a trainee at Voetbal International and a writer for Breaking the Lines.

  • By Michael Statham
  • Follow Michael on Twitter @EredivisieMike
  • Follow Crypto on Twitter @FcCrypto
  • Follow Sjors on Twitter @SjorsvanVeen

 

Saturday 14th October

Ajax v Sparta

Michael’s prediction: It’s been an indifferent start for Ajax and we’ve all seen the pressure mount up on manager Marcel Keizer as the dropped points continue. The 0-4 win over Heerenveen is an unfair reflection on how tough Ajax actually found the game.

This weekend should be no problem for the hosts. Sparta toiled to defeat at home to previously pointless Roda and lack the discipline to hold out the attacking prowess that’ll come their way. 3-0

Sjors’s prediction: I expect an easy Ajax win. They play at home, so despite their current form, I don’t see why Ajax should have trouble with Sparta Rotterdam. Alex Pastoor will defend zonally I think, so it will be interesting how Ajax will beat the defensive block. Looking at recent style of play, which I think is influenced big time by Hennie Spijkerman, I expect a boring game, but a relatively easy win. 3-0

Crypto tip: Both teams to score – no.

Roda JC v NAC Breda

Michael’s prediction: I’m confident that Roda can build upon their first win of the season with another positive result here. NAC have the pace to beat the home side through the middle of the park, but any points away from home will be valuable for the newly promoted team which could see them hold off going for the win. 1-1

Sjors’s prediction: This is a difficult one. It’s a relegation game, but despite the level of play, I expect typical Dutch entertainment. Both teams need points and goals, so I think it’ll be quite a spectacle. I don’t have a feeling who’ll win, but my mind says: Roda JC. 2-1

Crypto tip: Double chance Roda

Feyenoord v PEC Zwolle

Michael’s prediction: An odd case of second plays fourth. PEC’s great points total of 14 sees them flying, compared to previous seasons under Ron Jans when the club faced disappointing starts which then turned around to finish well.

Their confidence will be matched by Feyenoord’s, who despite enduring a tough run of results, have returned to form with a 0-4 win at AZ. The goals will be flowing and the return of marksman Nicolai Jorgensen is sure to help too. De Kuip’s atmosphere should see the home side dominate and claim all three points. I think it might be tight, though. 2-1

Sjors‘s prediction: I think PEC will play their part in this game with build-up play and slight chances. But I think Feyenoord will win though. If they can reach their highs like they did against AZ Alkmaar, PEC have no chance. With the likes of Berghuis, Larsson and Boëtius up front – what I really liked – Feyenoord will get their chances and score. Jorgensen is back as well, plus the fact Feyenoord must win a home game because of their losses against Manchester City and NAC Breda at home. 3-0

Crypto tip: Zwolle total goals over 0.5

Utrecht v Heerenveen
Michael’s prediction: I find this match hard to call. Utrecht suffered heavy back to back defeats before pulling together to claim a 1-1 draw with Vitesse before the international break.
I think tactics will play a major role in this one. Erik Ten Hag will adapt the team to quell the Heerenveen threat from the flanks by presumably playing five at the back and attempt to counter through Heerenveen’s soft underbelly.
Stijn Schaars has returned to form for the visitors after a wobbly couple of games in August – Schaars is back to being the strong leader who offers defensive reliability. However, whilst there is plenty of technical ability lying in the Frisians’ midfield, I think Ten Hag will target the weaker players around Schaars to great effect with a narrow system. 3-1

Sjors’s prediction: FC Utrecht versus SC Heerenveen is always entertaining. Two teams who like to play. Utrecht need a win at home, especially after their 1-7 home loss against PSV. SC Heerenveen want to improve after their Ajax loss. Thinking about every aspect, I think FC Utrecht will come away with the win. They have in my opinion the best manager in the Eredivisie in Ten Hag, which will be key in Utrecht’s battle versus Streppel’s side. 2-0

Crypto tip: Draw no bet Utrecht

Sunday 15th October

Heracles v Vitesse

Michael’s prediction: Heracles have failed to continue their fine form from last season, having only won one in the last six, but I don’t think they can blame the departure of top goal scorer Samuel Armenteros considering the Almelo side have netted twice in each of their home games so far.

Stat: Heracles have scored in every one of their home matches in the last 12 months, barring one, the last time they met Vitesse in April.

It’s a big month ahead for Vitesse. This fixture is followed by meetings with Heerenveen and PSV mixed in with two Europa League games. I think they’ll face a tough weekend to start it off. 2-1

Sjors‘s prediction: Heracles in a home game versus Vitesse means automatically enjoyable things. I remember the ‘red’ game when Peter Bosz was in charge at the Arnhem club. Vitesse won’t win easy there, as Heracles want a win too, especially in their own stadium. I expect a difficult game for both teams, with a draw in the end. 0-0

Crypto tip: Heracles team goals over 1.

Groningen v AZ

Michael’s prediction: At the moment this seems like a midtable fixture, but both of these teams will want to compete for the top seven come the end of the campaign. Ernest Faber is coming under pressure from Groningen supporters – fans expect more from a decent squad and they feel as though there has been little development since Faber joined the club.

Back to back home defeats to Excelsior and Feyenoord have set back AZ’s good start. However, the loss against Feyenoord was closer than the 0-4 scoreline suggested, starting with the unfairly disallowed Wout Weghorst goal at 0-0. I reckon the visitors will have the technical players to bag the goals and put AZ back on track. 1-3

Sjors‘s prediction: Where many people were impressed by AZ start of the season, I wasn’t. I don’t rate John van den Brom highly and you saw it versus Excelsior and Feyenoord. I think it is a typical Dutch side, who wants and can attack, but are really liable at the back. Especially in big games they don’t adjust to other circumstances, which makes them vulnerable. Exactly that you saw in their last games. Versus Groningen, a side who can play better as well, I expect a difficult game. Stakes are even for both teams, so I think it will be a draw. 2-2

Crypto tip: Both teams to score – yes

VVV-Venlo v PSV

Michael’s prediction: Even though VVV have enjoyed a magnificent first seven games (losing just once), they will come up against it on Sunday. PSV are confident at the moment and someone like Hirving Lozano will be hard to stop. Easier prediction than expected. 0-3

Sjors‘s prediction: In my opinion, this is the Eredivisie Game of the Week. One – for many, but not for me – surprise, versus a side which have struggled big time against teams who defend in low defensive blocks. VVV will do that too. This, alongside the bad pitch, will give VVV – like they had in the beginning versus Ajax – a chance to win. Maybe Cocu has to play Luuk de Jong in a kind-of Huntelaar role. Get those balls earlier in the areas that are important, to create overloads and chances. If they don’t do that, I expect a difficult day for PSV. 1-1

Crypto tip: PSV team goals over 2

Willem II v Twente

Michael’s prediction: Currently these two sit eighteenth and fifteenth respectively. Willem II are yet to mould as a group of players whilst Twente are still finding their attacking fluency.

Ultimately, both of these sides will be fine. On Sunday, I think Twente will work hard to earn a result but will hardly play the hosts off the park – they’re far from the team they were three to four years ago but still hold the better quality in attack. 1-1

Sjors‘s prediction: A game between two sides who need to improve to reach new heights. Willem II have the most cliché manager in Dutch football, so I don’t expect a lot from them. At home they ‘ll play with power though, which will have positive influence on FC Twente’s young defence, which is a liability. FC Twente have improved with fit players coming back and some deadline day transfers. I personally think FC Twente have the biggest chance to win, because of their individual quality. 0-2

Crypto tip: Double chance Twente

ADO Den Haag v Excelsior

Michael’s prediction: ADO’s last two wins over Sparta and NAC were defensively resolute but hardly sent warnings to the league’s top half teams (three of which they play in the following three). ADO are the lowest scorers in the division.

Excelsior will find themselves outfought here in my opinion. A match of attrition awaits. 2-0

Sjors’s prediction: ADO Den Haag has a positive flow, Excelsior can be deadly in away games. Knowing that, with the game importance in mind, this game will be a cracker on paper. ADO want to show themselves in front of their own crowd, but maybe they’ll give the better cards to Excelsior with that style of play. Difficulty of this game is big, because both sides need a win. I really don’t know what to expect, so I’ll go for a draw. 1-1

Crypto tip: Under 3 goals

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: 54% & Average Odds: 1.66

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)




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.