Eredivisie predictions are back! For each matchweek this season, Michael Statham will give his preview and predictions for each Eredivisie game. What’s more, starting this season, Michael will also give tips for the matches offered through bet365. The opening weekend sees Ajax visit newly promoted Sparta and reigning champions PSV travel to Utrecht.
Friday 2nd August
NEC v PEC Zwolle
NEC will be an unknown quantity in the opening months of the campaign given that they have a new manager and seven new players, collectively with little Eredivisie experience.
Peter Hyballa is a more offensive manager than Ernest Faber, so expect a different NEC to last season. For example, they conceded 17 goals in their last four friendly games.
Ron Jans has assembled another exciting young squad for this season. Hachim Mastour and Anass Achahbar have plenty of potential but it’ll be a gamble to see if they succeed.
I think NEC are going to suffer a difficult start.
Michael’s prediction: 1-2
Tip: Get draw at half-time, PEC Zwolle full-time for 11/2 here.
Saturday 3rd August
Twente v Excelsior
Twente could have their own TV drama after the summer they’ve had. Relegation rumours and transfer trauma has led to an under-strengthened squad due to Hakim Ziyech still stagnating around the club.
They face Excelsior who again have a new manager to begin the season, this time it’s former Eindhoven manager Mitchell van der Graag.
I’d argue that Twente still have the better players individually but Excelsior are the better team. So I’ll go for a draw.
Michael’s prediction: 1-1
Tip: Get Ziyech to score anytime and a 1-1 draw at 18/1 here.
ADO Den Haag v Go Ahead Eagles
ADO have had a quiet summer but will look to continue their hard work from last season. Henk Fraser left a solid, defensive foundation. It is up to Zeljko Petrovic to build upon that.
Go Ahead might be looking at a tough season as they have gained few additions to their squad throughout the summer.
I can see a promising start for ADO.
Michael’s prediction: 1-0
Tip: Get 1-0 to ADO half-time and full-time at 14/1 here.
Willem II v Vitesse
This match is a repeat of the opening fixture of last season. There is less optimism over The Tilburgers this season, which could work in their favour given last season many fancied them to finish in the top eight with a side packed with potential.
Vitesse have been reduced in quality over the last three to four years but still aim to reach the top five despite limited backing from their wealthy owner. However, Ricky van Wolfswinkel could be a shrewd signing up front.
As Vitesse have the more settled side going into the opening game, I’ll back them for a promising start.
Michael’s prediction: 0-2
Utrecht v PSV
Utrecht could do with a couple of additions before the transfer window closes, as they have lost Timo Letschert and Ruud Boymans already this summer.
This might leave them lacking against PSV, who looked assured in their JC Schaal win over Feyenoord last weekend. They must be considered heavy favourites for the title again. The squad is mostly intact from last term when they impressed on the European stage as well as domestically.
Michael’s prediction: 0-2
Tip: Get Haller to score and a 1-0 Utrecht win at 40/1 here.
Sunday 4th August
Groningen v Feyenoord
Groningen have strengthened very well over the summer. The club have announced an increase in budget, allowing them to bring in a new spine to the team.
Feyenoord were no match for PSV last weekend but look to have a settled squad for this season, so they should avoid any teething problems.
Nicolai Jorgensen is an improvement on Michiel Kramer. So expect more goals from Feyenoord this season. Let’s see if he has an immediate impact on Sunday.
Michael’s prediction: 1-1
Tip: Get Feyenoord to win the Eredivisie at 10/1 here.
AZ v Heerenveen
I believe AZ are contenders for the league this season. They have an outside shout because the team has a “been there, done that” kind of feel. John van den Brom has the players playing the style he wants and despite Vincent Janssen’s departure, new additions Fred Friday and Wout Weghorst have boosted options up front.
What’s more, Alkmaar brushed PAS Giannina aside this week to again assert AZ’s outstanding recent record in Europe, scoring in their tenth game out of their last eleven European matches.
So, what can Heerenveen do to stop AZ? They’ll have to be disciplined, although their squad is very young.
Despite having some exciting talent in attack, Heerenveen have a soft belly in defence.
Michael’s prediction: 2-0
Tip: Get AZ to win the Eredivisie at 16/1 here.
Roda v Heracles
Roda have changed around half their squad this summer. On paper, it looks strong enough to compete comfortably in mid-table, but it all depends on how quickly players can bed into the side.
Heracles will be extremely frustrated to have been knocked out of the Europa League on Thursday. They can hold their heads high though, as I thought they played Portuguese side Arouca off the park in both legs.
Maybe Heracles’s form from last season was no extended purple patch, and they should be taken seriously once more for the top six. I think they’ll win here.
Michael’s prediction: 0-1
Tip: Get under 1.5 goals at 3/1 here.
Sparta v Ajax
It’s exciting to have Sparta back in the Eredivisie following such a long absence from the top-flight. I am concerned that they haven’t prepared their team well enough for the campaign (unlike fellow newcomers, Go Ahead Eagles), though.
The visitors were pretty poor in Greece on Wednesday and do not look ready for the season yet. Peter Bosz is an excellent manager but confused many with his tactics against PAOK and Ajax should be considered very lucky to have scraped through to the final Champions League qualifying round.
Many players underperformed as the quality offensively was well below par and defensively it was error strewn.
However Ajax will return to winning ways here.
Michael’s prediction: 0-2
Accumulator for all nine winners with a £10 bet returns: £19,704.70
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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.
