For each match-week this season, Michael Statham will give his preview and predictions for each Eredivisie game, along with tips offered through bet365. What’s in store for this weekend? There’s a first Rotterdam derby of the season and Groningen are seeking their first point in Eindhoven.
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Friday 26th August
Vitesse v Utrecht
Ricky van Wolfswinkel proved effective again in his team’s winner at Roda. He held off a defender well to let Chelsea loanee Lewis Baker net the winning goal.
Manager Henk Fraser thinks top four should be a realistic aim this season in order to achieve automatic European qualification. He’s right to be ambitious, but I can’t see Vitesse winning strings of games to finish above the likes of Utrecht and AZ.
One of those sides, Utrecht, play the Arnhem side on Friday. I worry for Utrecht with the number of players that have departed the club this summer. Key players Timo Letschert, Bart Ramselaar and Ruud Boymans have moved on, and have been replaced by players who could be considered gambles, namely Richairo Zivkovic. However, I am a big fan of manager Erik Ten Hag, he’s great at realising the potential of his players.
Michael’s prediction: 1-1
Tip: Get Haller to score at anytime (he takes penalties) and final score 1-1 at 18/1. (Click the bet365 banner for more)
Saturday 27th August
Willem II v Roda JC
It was a huge shock when Willem II won in the Arena, especially following the manner of the two defeats previous to that.
Now let’s see whether it was a one-off or if Erwin van de Looi looks to have found what works best for his side.
Nestoras Mitides ruined my prediction of a draw last weekend against Vitesse after his late sitter that hit the post. They seemed good value for a point.
The team from Kerkrade have some work to do yet in gelling the new signings (Welshman Simon Church is the latest addition).
Willem II will obviously want to build momentum with a second win from two games, but I think Roda will stop them.
Michael’s prediction: 1-1
Feyenoord v Excelsior
Brad Jones may as well have been reading the newspaper whilst being in goal for Feyenoord. He’s had little to do so far. Of course, this is due to the excellent work of the players in front of Jones.
Dare I cast a reminder to fans of Feyenoord though, Jones has got a mistake or two in him, despite still being a solid keeper. Even in his time with NEC he gave a few goals away.
It helps now that Feyenoord have an abundance of goal scorers in their side, to add to their fantastic work rate.
So it’ll be a tough Rotterdam derby for Excelsior, even though they’ve enjoyed a fine start to the season.
Michael’s prediction: 3-0
Heerenveen v PEC Zwolle
Collectively, both sides have conceded 14 goals in their three games so far.
Heerenveen overall haven’t been so bad. I’d worry more for Zwolle, as they have Utrecht, AZ and Ajax to play after this game.
PEC have more to offer though. In their opening game, they should have comfortably beaten NEC. I’ll go for an away win.
Michael’s prediction: 0-2
Tip: This game could swing either way with goals aplenty: over 3.5 goals is 13/8.
Twente v Sparta
I think it’s fair to say Enes Unal’s name will be first on Twente’s team sheet this Saturday! Three exceptional finishes later and Unal could be the man to offer Twente that spark they need in attack, if Hakim Ziyech ever leaves Twente, that is.
At home that should be enough to beat Sparta. They have looked good so far, like a side who could occasionally give a game to a Feynoord or a PSV, but also a side who looked scrappy and pretty average against Go Ahead last week.
Michael’s prediction: 2-0
Tip: Unal is 13/8 to score at any time.
Sunday 28th August
PSV v Groningen
A home win should be heavily fancied here given how both sides have begun the season.
PSV turned on the style with their last victory, an improvement on the way they played in their previous matches.
Groningen have conceded eleven goals in three games to be dumped at the bottom of the early Eredivisie table with zero points. Their play is far too open and any slips in concentration have led to goals let in.
The way they lost to Twente was cruel after such a tenacious comeback. They must arrive in Eindhoven with the thought that they can be beaten here, so long as they show a much more organised set-up and are alert defensively. Lose narrowly and confidence can be taken for future games against the lesser sides in the division.
Michael’s prediction: 2-0
Tip: An early PSV goal could lead to floodgates opening…get over 4.5 goals at 2/1.
ADO Den Haag v Heracles
Tommy Beugelsdijk was quick to dispel any thoughts of a title challenge following three wins to begin the campaign.
Their opponents this weekend had a similarly promising start to last season, and ended up finishing a highly respectable sixth.
It’s tough to call, but I’ll back ADO to make it four out of four.
Michael’s prediction: 1-0
Go Ahead Eagles v Ajax
Go Ahead will really have to step up their level of performance for the visit of Ajax, no matter what form they’re in.
Peter Bosz’s men were humiliated by Rostov. I fear the Europa League may be too strong for them now too.
I won’t pick them apart too much, but right now only Davy Klaassen can come off the pitch with any kind of credibility.
Michael’s prediction: 0-1
Tip: Ajax have dropped to 11/4 to win the Eredivisie.
AZ v NEC
Whilst I admit to being slightly biased to AZ, I do think that the Alkmaarers are in for another good season. I really fancy them to challenge the traditional top three as well as progress in Europe.
They were simply the better team in their game with Utrecht last weekend, who finished just below AZ in the table in May.
A difficult task then for NEC, whose manager, Peter Hyballa, is impressing in the Eredivisie. He has accelerated the development of his team immensely well. I thought NEC would be in for a slow start to the campaign.
Hyballa has sourced some intriguing signings, mainly from Germany, who could make a big impact in the Netherlands. The pace up front offered by the likes of Kévin Mayi and Reagy Ofusu has given them a different threat in attack.
The counter attack will be NEC’s biggest threat on Sunday. However, a fit AZ side will see off the visitors.
Michael’s prediction: 3-1
Tip: Get NEC as the “last team to score in the match” at 10/3, perhaps when AZ drop off the pace towards the end of the game.
Accumulator for all nine winners with a £10 bet returns: £4000.10
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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
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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.
