Richard Connelly from IMG is Michael’s latest competitor
Michael Statham offers his predictions and bet365 tips for week 22’s Eredivisie fixtures. This time, Michael is competing against commentator Richard Connelly, who you can catch commentating Vitesse v Ajax and Feyenoord v PSV in the coming weeks on Sky Sports. Heerenveen against AZ and PSV’s game with fourth placed Utrecht represent the ties of the round.
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Here is the best of last weekend’s Eredivisie action plus the goals of the week! Make sure to like and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Friday 10th February
PEC Zwolle v NEC
PEC scored thrice last time out but are still conceding soft goals – they have only one clean sheet in eight.
I think their main problem comes from teams with physical strength in attack, something which, apart from Jay-Roy Grot, NEC don’t rely on very much.
The tide is in Zwolle’s favour at the moment, so another win is likely.
Michael’s prediction: 2-1
Richard’s prediction: Zwolle haven’t won at home since October, but their win at Sparta last week was huge in the relegation battle. They looked decent when I saw them lose to Ajax just after the winter break and I think they’ll continue to move away from the bottom three. 2-1
Tip: BTTS at 3/4. (click the link or the bet365 banners to find out more…)
Saturday 11th February
Feyenoord v Groningen
The mark of champions shone through in Feyenoord’s win at Twente. My 1-1 prediction was a fairer reflection on the game, but the league leaders took the chances that came their way.
Groningen, for me, still don’t show enough quality to deserve a European play-off place and certainly won’t have enough to trouble Feyenoord, who will work super hard again to get the three points.
Michael’s prediction: 2-0
Richard’s prediction: Feyenoord were far from fluent in beating Twente last weekend. You sense the nerves are there – even in early February – and the pressure on Giovanni Van Bronckhorst’s men will only increase. But there’s not much confidence in the Groningen team – even though they’re six unbeaten – and I don’t see Feyenoord slipping up at home. 2-0
Tip: -1.5 Asian handicap for Feyenoord at 1.775.
Go Ahead Eagles v ADO Den Haag
It was a great win for the Eagles at NEC last weekend. It took a few games for Elvis Manu to find his touch again, but now he’s the direct, powerful forward that helped make his name at Feyenoord and Cambuur. What a shame then that’s he’s suspended for this one as it’s crucial.
New ADO manager Fons Groenendijk has a huge job on his hands. I think his immediate influence could make for a positive outcome for ADO here.
It’s tough to pick a winner, seeing as ADO have only three goals in their last eight and Go Ahead are Manu-less.
Michael’s prediction: 1-1
Richard’s prediction: A huge game at the bottom of the table – and ADO are hoping there’ll be an immediate response to the sacking of coach Zeljko Petrovic. They’ve taken just 7 points from 17 games and play Feyenoord, Twente and Utrecht after this one. It’s the coaching equivalent of a hospital pass. Go Ahead aren’t great – and have Elvis Manu banned – but the crowd will crackle and they’ll win a tight game. 1-0
Heracles v Roda JC
The home side will be boosted by their excellent win with a man less over last week’s opponents Willem II.
Heracles took their chances even without top scorer Samuel Armenteros, who is back for this one.
I think Roda will prove to be tough opposition on Saturday. They weren’t poor against Ajax but seemed to show improvement like they did in their win over Excelsior the week before.
Will they be good enough here though? I’d have them down to claim a point.
Michael’s prediction: 1-1
Richard’s prediction: Heracles will be without their suspended first choice goalkeeper Bram Castro – but could probably leave the net open and still have a decent chance of beating Roda. The Kerkrade side have failed to score in 6 out of the last 7 – and Heracles should just be good enough to break them down. 1-0
Vitesse v Willem II
Vitesse will be keen to bag another three points in their quest for fourth place. They seem more driven in the last couple of months, and that kind of determined attitude will show on the pitch.
Erwin van de Looi will be mightily concerned the way his side conceded silly goals last weekend, and will be even more anxious to face an in form Vitesse on Saturday.
Michael’s prediction: 2-1
Richard’s prediction: Willem II’s capitulation against Heracles’ 10 men last weekend has rung a warning bell. Two bad goals conceded from set pieces – and they don’t score enough to compensate for such mistakes. Vitesse are going well – and have goals throughout the team, something the Tilburgers cannot say. 3-1
Sunday 12th February
Heerenveen v AZ
This one screams an open, entertaining match. However, Heerenveen have only won three of their last ten games and AZ are winless in three.
In fact, these two sides met each other in the cup quarter-final last month. AZ emerged victorious on that occasion, but I cannot see that this time round.
AZ were without both full-backs and Ron Vlaar against PSV so were always likely to be cut open. What’s more, their forward players have been lacking consistency.
That said, Heerenveen won’t be at their best either. They’ve been off the boil of late plus Sam Larsson is suspended.
With Stijn Wuytens also banned on Sunday, AZ may be short by one too many defenders again.
Michael’s prediction: 2-1
Richard’s prediction: This is a tough one. Both teams attack well, so it ought to be fun at both ends, but Sam Larsson’s banned for Heerenveen after a daft red card, so they’ll be missing their best player. AZ have a vitally important Europa League game to follow – and it’s easy to imagine their focus straying somewhat. 2-2
Tip: Over 2.5 goals at 13/20.
Ajax v Sparta
Ajax will be keen to finish this one off before half-time with their Europa League match looming.
Sparta will offer little competition.
Michael’s prediction: 4-0
Richard’s prediction: Ajax are the most likely champions in my view. They have pace in the team, enough experience and a brave coach. Yes, they have the Europa League to come too, but that should mean they seek to win this game as quickly as possible. Sparta usually score but usually lose anyway. 4-1
Tip: Ajax HT and FT at 4/7.
PSV v Utrecht
This is an extremely difficult match to predict. Utrecht love these big games against the top sides, but PSV have been scoring goals for fun recently.
PSV’s last home fixture was the 4-3 epic with Heerenveen, as the pace of the Frisian forwards proved too much. However, Jurgen Streppel’s men were far too open at the back.
So this won’t be like that match seeing as Utrecht are much tighter in defence and offer a more physical attacking threat, which I’d back PSV’s defenders to deal with.
Michael’s prediction: 2-1
Richard’s prediction: This is PSV’s biggest test of the year so far – and it’s easy to see them slipping up against a disciplined, well-coached side like Utrecht. There’s no doubt Van Ginkel is a game-changer at this level – but I still sensed complacency when the champions narrowly beat Heracles two weeks ago. 1-1
Excelsior v Twente
I was impressed with Excelsior’s reaction last weekend. Although I’d say Twente will be far tougher opposition.
Excelsior are in fact unbeaten in their last five at home, and I think they’ll prolong that run here.
Michael’s prediction: 1-1
Richard’s prediction: After last season’s nonsense, Rene Hake deserves enormous credit for pulling together this highly capable Twente side. The Man City loan stars and a solid midfield of Klich and Mokotjo are the heart of it – though it remains to be seen what effect a pro-Serbia banner in the Twente crowd has on their excellent Kosovan, Bersant Celina. At the time of writing, Celina’s suspended, but they still have enough quality to avenge their opening day defeat to Excelsior. 1-2
Tip: BTTS at 8/13.
Accumulator for all nine winners from Michael with a £10 bet returns: £5616.00
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How have I done so far?
Week 1: 4 results
Week 2: 3 results, 1 correct score
Week 3: 4 results, 1 correct score
Week 4: 6 results, 1 correct score
Week 5: 6 results, 2 correct scores
Week 6: 4 results, 2 correct scores
Week 7: 3 results
Week 8: 7 results, 3 correct scores
Week 9: 4 results, 1 correct score
Week 10: 5 results, 2 correct scores
Week 11: 3 results
Week 12: 2 results, 1 correct score
Week 13: 4 results
Week 14: 6 results
Week 15: 4 results
Week 16: 5 results (versus writer Michael Bell)
Week 17: 2 results (versus writer James Rowe)
Week 18: 5 results (versus Aston Villa player Leandro Bacuna)
Week 19: 5 results
Week 20: 4 results, 1 correct score (versus Football Manager Head Researcher Jeroen Thijssen)
Week 21: 4 results (versus Eredivisie tipster Crypto)
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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.
