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 Ferdi Delies, who owns engels-voetbal.nl – a website devoted to English football in the Dutch language.
- By Michael Statham
- Follow Michael on Twitter @EredivisieMike
- Follow Crypto on Twitter @FcCrypto
- Follow Ferdi on Twitter @FerdiDelies
Friday 20th October
Groningen v Willem II
Michael’s prediction: I thought Groningen were outplayed by AZ last weekend, showing that maybe a top seven finish is a little out of their reach.
I get a feeling this may be a draw, seeing as Willem II have been improved lately, but Groningen are difficult to beat on their own turf. 1-1
Ferdi‘s prediction: A good win for Willem II last week, but Groningen are unbeaten at home. A narrow win for Groningen. 2-1
Crypto tip: BTTS – yes.
Saturday 21st October
NAC Breda v PEC Zwolle
Michael’s prediction: A good start to NAC’s season has been dampened by defeats to both ADO and Roda. There has simply been a lack of invention in the final third. Thierry Ambrose doesn’t score enough goals and Rai Vloet is more of a support striker rather than a real ’10’ who can help create chances.
PEC Zwolle’s fifth place position is deserved but a game like this on the road is perhaps a truer test of their potential than the point they earnt in De Kuip.
It should be a good match on a classic ‘Avondje NAC’. 2-1
Ferdi’s prediction: Zwolle look a very organised site under John van’t Schip’s management. They’re difficult to beat and have more quality than NAC. 1-2
Crypto tip: BTTS – yes.
Excelsior v Sparta
Michael’s prediction: A Rotterdam derby that would have a draw written all over it. Excelsior haven’t earnt a point at home all season whilst Sparta have lost their last four, scoring only once along the way.
However, I worry that the run Alex Pastoor’s side have been enduring will see them lose again here. There seems to be no killer instinct in attack. 2-0
Ferdi‘s prediction: Excelsior have been very strong away from home, but I’ll think they will beat their rivals due to a lack of confidence in Alex Pastoor’s site. 3-1
Crypto tip: Draw no bet – Excelsior.
VVV-Venlo v ADO Den Haag
Michael’s prediction: VVV will be bitterly disappointed with the way they conceded all five goals against PSV, considering they had previously held such a tight defence.
That’s why I can see this being a lowing scoring affair. ADO tend to be compact and plucky from set pieces, and it could see them earn another point here. 1-1
Ferdi‘s prediction: Good start for VVV, but it has to stop somewhere. 1-1
Crypto tip: ADO +1 Asian handicap.
Ferdi‘s prediction: Roda have started winning some games, a perfect moment to have a meet and greet with a weak FC Twente. 0-2
Crypto tip: Under 3 goals.
Sunday 22nd October
PSV v Heracles
Michael’s prediction: PSV can be huge winners this weekend if they can sweep aside Heracles, given that Feyenoord and Ajax face off later in the day, potentially allowing Phillip Cocu’s men to extend their five point lead at the top.
Heracles played a good match with Vitesse last time out, but I always bemoan the difference in performances when away from home. Hence why I think they’ll lose on Sunday. 3-1
Ferdi’s prediction: Expecting no problem for PSV in a home game on real grass… 4-1
Crypto tip: PSV -1.5 Asian handicap.
Feyenoord v Ajax
Michael’s prediction: It’s perhaps a poor reflection on the league’s quality when you consider these sides sit third and second respectively at the moment. Neither has got off to a positive start. Feyenoord found a way to win games in August and September but have faltered since. Ajax have been wobbly in their away matches and have been far from the Europa League finalists of May.
What will decide this face-off then? For me, a key mistake. I don’t envisage one team outplaying the other, but Feyenoord’s energy sapping performance against Shakhtar Donetsk may make a difference.
That said, Feyenoord’s midfield are likely to dominate and I forsee the teenager partnership of Maximilian Wöber and Matthijs De Ligt having problems with the newly fit Nicolai Jorgensen. 1-0
Ferdi‘s prediction: Feyenoord have got defensive issues and their top scorer Jorgensen is not on his top level yet. I’m expecting goals but no winner. 2-2
Crypto tip: Double chance Ajax.
AZ v Utrecht
Michael’s prediction: AZ have the potential to play teams off the park on occasion, but I can’t see them ripping too often into Utrecht. The visitors will stifle any early pressure from the hosts and I predict Utrecht to frustrate the home crowd and grow into the game.
Erik Ten Hag’s gameplan versus Heerenveen worked well, and I think he’s too clever for John van den Brom too. 1-2
Ferdi’s prediction: If you want to be a top club in Holland, you’ll have to win away games like this time and again. I don’t think Utrecht are ready for that at the moment. 2-0
Crypto tip: BTTS – yes.
Heerenveen v Vitesse
Michael’s prediction: Just like AZ v Utrecht, this will be another entertaining fixture this weekend in the Eredivisie’s ‘subtop’.
Heerenveen will want to win back the supporters after demoralising and comprehensive defeats to Ajax and Utrecht, but Vitesse won’t be an easy team to beat.
The Arnhem side have a third away game in a week but looked the better team against both Heracles and Zulte Waregem. Fitness may play a role in the result but the Frisians may find enough joy down the flanks to pin Vitesse back and make it a tough afternoon. 3-1
Ferdi‘s prediction: Two good sides, but no one is better than the other. 1-1
Crypto tip: BTTS – yes.
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: 53% & Average Odds: 1.64
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)
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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.
