This weekend sees the return of the Eredivisie after the international break. Michael Statham continues to provide his preview and predictions for each match. Round 13’s fixtures include interesting matches at the top and bottom of the table, as the top three all look to get one over each other, meanwhile Cambuur and De Graafschap are still in search of their first wins of the season.

eredSaturday, November 21

Roda JC v PEC Zwolle

Roda were lucky to escape with a point at home to ADO a fortnight ago. They struggled to create too many openings once again.

Darije Kalezic must find a way of getting his side to kill off teams by scoring the second goal, as Roda have not scored more than one goal in a league game since the beginning of August.

Stef Nijland’s last minute equaliser helped PEC stopped the rot in their draw against Heracles.

Rons Jans’ men always prove solid opposition and with pacey wingers back in the team such as Queensy Menig and Sheraldo Becker, who is hoping to return this weekend, together with poacher Lars Veldwijk they create an effective bow and arrow for the team’s attack.

Prediction: 1-2

AZ v Heerenveen

A win at Vitesse again highlighted the potential in this AZ team. However the problem that John van den Brom faces is his side’s consistency, which has in fact plagued the club since they won the title in 2009.

Far too often they play in Europe and then struggle in the league throughout the season. Having a very youthful squad also makes consistency difficult to achieve.

Foppe De Haan has worked wonders for Heerenveen since becoming manager and after the international break his side will be ready to go again with his ideas fully in place. They will go to Alkmaar full of confidence after scoring four in Enschede last time out.

Both of the in-form Scandinavians: Markus Henriksen and Sam Larsson, will be looking to get their names on the scoresheet again.

The result will depend on which AZ turns up on Saturday, in a game that I’m sure will be very open.

Prediction: 2-2

Ajax v Cambuur

I thought Ajax were fortunate to come away from De Kuip with a point two weeks ago. They were bullied once again by a high quality team.

This weekend is a different kind of challenge, as Frank De Boer knows this is a game his side are expected to win comfortably.

Bartholomew Ogbeche could still be missing for the Frisians but at least Martijn Barto found the net twice against Groningen.

Of course, Cambuur’s principle problem is their defence which is costing them game after game. Anything in Amsterdam would be a season changer, although I don’t see that happening.

Prediction: 3-0

De Graafschap v Groningen

NEC rolled De Graafschap over fairly easily in the end, a concern to manager Jan Vreman as before his team would usually be considered ‘unlucky’ in games. Not so on that occasion which could be a sign his players are starting to lose faith.

The visitors do have good attacking threat which the home side could find too much to handle, although Groningen also have a soft spot in defence behind their full-backs which De Superboeren will have to exploit.

Vreman will rally his troops once more knowing time may be running out if his team don’t start picking up points very soon.

Prediction: 2-1

Willem II v PSV

Jurgen Streppel will be puzzled as to how his team lost again, this time against Excelsior. He has tried multiple formations already this season in order to try and rediscover the form of the last campaign.

If his side sit in the bottom three come January then I think the board may take action, especially since they face sides around them in the run up to Christmas: Twente, Cambuur, ADO and Roda.

PSV convincingly saw off Utrecht a fortnight ago. A tricky game given their expenditure of energy in the Champions League only days before.

Despite a huge game against Manchester United to come in midweek, full attention must be put onto this game first to avoid any slip-ups.

Prediction: 1-3

Sunday, November 22

Heracles v Excelsior

Just when it looked as though Heracles might be past their early season peak, key creative man Oussama Tannane is expected to return to the squad this weekend.

The visitors will be in for a tough test here. Alfons Groenendijk will set his team up to be difficult to beat whilst also carrying a threat on the counter attack and from set-pieces.

Prediction: 2-0

NEC v Utrecht

I like Christian Santos, he is becoming a very good player in the Eredivisie. He is developing into a decent poacher and has scored some outstanding goals already this season.

The whole NEC team is growing with each game. It’s easy to forget they were one of the three sides to be promoted last season.

Utrecht were restricted in Eindhoven last time out, although had they taken their chances, in particular Sebastien Haller’s one-on-one with the keeper, they may have come out of the game with a reward.

The problem for Utrecht at the moment is the defence again, which originally looked like it had improved in early games this term. They have conceded ten goals in their last three matches.

Prediction: 2-1

Feyenoord v Twente

How Feyenoord could do with a player like Hakim Ziyech.

The Twente captain has been linked with the Rotterdammers for some time now but interest has intensified since Ziyech mentioned a couple of weeks ago that he may seek pastures new in January.

The Moroccan would improve an already decent attack and may add that extra bit of quality needed to edge the title.

As Gio van Bronckhorst mentioned this week, Ziyech is “crucial” for Twente and with him in the side then they always have a chance.

Although Twente are struggling collectively at the moment, they lack quality in many areas of the pitch and the defence is far too young.

Prediction: 4-1

ADO Den Haag v Vitesse

ADO can be quite unpredictable given that this season they have failed to beat sides below them but then a few weeks ago they performed excellently to beat Feyenoord.

Vitesse just had one of those days against AZ and I’m confident they’ll play much better this weekend.

Prediction: 1-1

How have I done so far?

Week 1: 4 results

Week 2: 3 results, 1 correct score

Week 3: 7 results, 1 correct score

Week 4: 4 results, 1 correct score

Week 5: 7 results, 2 correct scores

Week 6: 4 results, 1 correct score

Week 7: 7 results

Week 8: 5 results, 1 correct score

Week 9: 5 results, 1 correct score

Week 10: 4 results, 1 correct score

Week 11: 4 results, 1 correct score

Week 12: 3 results, 1 correct score

Think you can better my predictions? Tweet me! @EredivisieMike or tweet @football_oranje or comment below with yours…




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Michael Statham (836 Posts)

Writer/interviewer/YouTuber for Football-Oranje. Massive Dutch football fan from the UK. Follow me @EredivisieMike & subscribe to Football-Oranje on YouTube.