This weekend is round 15 of the Eredivisie and Michael Statham continues to provide his preview and predictions for each match. Last weekend saw Michael edge fellow Football Oranje writer Amos Ondieki, as Michael’s six correct results out of nine beat Amos’ five. This matchweek includes another relegation six-pointer between Willem II and Cambuur, as well as a tricky away tie for PSV as they visit Arnhem.
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Friday, December 4
AZ v ADO Den Haag
AZ were outpaced and outmuscled in their defeat at PSV last Sunday. Derrick Luckassen for me is not a centre-back as he is too easily beaten in the air due to a lack of strength.
The home side should however return to winning ways against an ADO side who have been solid yet unspectacular lately.
Henk Fraser’s men sat on their lead in Groningen, and struggled to fashion any real chances after half-time as they looked to hold on to their slender 0-1 lead. It didn’t pay off though.
ADO need to be braver particularly in away matches. Although I’m backing AZ to find a way past their visitors whether they play more offensive or not.
Prediction: 2-0
Saturday, December 5
Excelsior v Twente
In recent matches, Excelsior have gone into games as underdogs and managed to still pick up points. This time, on the other hand, they will be under pressure to beat Twente.
Twente were appalling defensively against Willem II. I still hold my point of view that Rene Hake must bring back some more experienced names from the cold such as forgotten goalkeeper Nick Marsman.
I also thought Hakim Ziyech was noticeably quiet in that defeat, and when he’s not playing well, neither do Twente.
Prediction: 1-1
Vitesse v PSV
So far this season Vitesse have struggled against the top sides. They’ve lost agaist Ajax and Feyenoord in this campaign, plus they were beaten twice by Southampton back in the summer in the Europa League.
I think this is down to style. Vitesse don’t suit a more defensive style, which is what sides may usually apply when facing tougher sides.
Peter Bosz is a manager who promotes easy on the eye, attacking football, as he mentioned in his post-match interview following the victory over NEC.
As for PSV, Phillip Cocu should just tell the players to pretend this is Champions League tie, given that they play to a very high standard in Europe.
The champions showed their attacking prowess in their win over AZ last weekend. With Luuk De Jong in form again, PSV should find a way to win what will be a tricky match for them in Arnhem.
Prediction: 1-2
De Graafschap v Utrecht
Now that De Graafschap have finally won their first game of the season, they may go on to have a small run of form.
Their opponents Utrecht played a strange game of two halves against Heracles. In the first half they were dire yet their second half was miles better – despite playing with ten men.
Nacer Barazite and Sebastien Haller are growing a nice understanding together, which will cause the hosts problems. That said, Utrecht aren’t the same force away from home.
Prediction: 1-1
Ajax v Heerenveen
I thought Ajax were a little wasteful against Zwolle last week, as they had enough chances to have the game comfortably wrapped up by half-time.
Although the current leaders’ tight defence means they still win games against sides outside the top 3 with relative ease compared to the two other main competitors for the title.
Heerenveen’s performance was so good against Roda that Foppe De Haan cried. He’ll have to be in tears of joy once more if The Frisians want to pick anything up in Amsterdam.
Prediction: 3-1
Sunday, December 6
Willem II v Cambuur
Have Willem II finally found some form again? A morale boosting four points out of six against Twente and PSV will give the Jurgen Streppel’s men plenty of confidence going into what is another very important game for the club.
I think the home side will win, seeing as Cambuur didn’t show enough quality against De Graafschap in attack despite scoring twice. Too many hit and hope long balls were played and the service into Martijn Barto wasn’t sufficient. De Graafschap deserved to win and were unlucky not to have scored more than three.
Prediction: 2-0
NEC v PEC Zwolle
Both teams sit in a nice area of the table as we head into the winter break.
The home side sit seventh and just like the visitors have been a solid side, particularly at home.
Zwolle were off the boil against Ajax. Lars Veldwijk has also not been consistent in recent weeks and has been showing the kind of poor form that kept him out of the team at Nottingham Forest.
I’ll back NEC to pick up another three points, to help them continue the record of being the best performing promoted side ever in the Eredivisie at this stage of the season.
Prediction: 1-0
Feyenoord v Heracles
Another good win for Feyenoord last weekend sees them keep well within touch of Ajax at the top of the Eredivisie. However the Rotterdammers are struggling to keep clean sheets against the lower sides. They have only managed one shut-out in the league in their last seven matches.
Heracles look to be back down to earth now following their outstanding early season form. It’s not all bad for the Almelo side, Oussama Tannane is finding his form again after an injury.
Second plays fourth in this game, but I think Feyenoord will win this one comfortably.
Prediction: 3-1
Roda JC v Groningen
Roda have continued to sink down the table in recent weeks, results are getting worse and not better. Darije Kalezic now has a big job on his hands to arrest this poor form, starting with a huge home match against Groningen.
The visitors have won six of their seven home games in the league this season, but have only won once on the road.
This is a chance for Roda to start putting things right again. Although seeing as they’re now the lowest goalscorers in the Eredivisie, still without injured striker Tomi Juric, it’s hard to see where the goals will come from to outscore Groningen, who have some nice talent in attack.
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
Week 13: 5 results
Week 14: 6 results
Think you can better my predictions? Tweet me! @EredivisieMike or tweet @football_oranje or comment below with yours…
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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.
