It’s back! Every week in the 2018/19 season, Football-Oranje’s Michael Statham gives you his predictions and betting tips for each Dutch Eredivisie round. Michael competes against a different special guest each week. This time, it’s Ferdi Delies, who is a writer for engels-voetbal.nl, a season ticket holder for FC Groningen and an author of books such as “Aston Villa’s Wounded Lion“. Michael and Ferdi are both big Villa fans and will both be predicting games such as PSV v Utrecht and De Graafschap v Feyenoord.
For more discussion on every Eredivisie team, click here to listen to our website’s latest podcast previewing the Dutch league’s new season!
Friday 10th August
PEC Zwolle v Heerenveen
Michael’s prediction: A nice opportunity for a revitalised PEC side to get their season off to the best of starts after falling away last season. I think Heerenveen will suffer a slow start after a poor summer’s business. 3-1 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals
Ferdi’s prediction: Zwolle had a very good start last year but an awful ending. I’m expecting a hard season for them but a draw at home against a strong Heerenveen side. 1-1
Saturday 11th August
Willem II v VVV-Venlo
Michael’s prediction: This is the type of tight game where a player who brings a moment of quality will be important. Willem II’s Fran Sol is that man. Maurice Steijn’s VVV will be in for a fight to survive relegation again and it’ll be interesting to see how his new attacking players adapt. 1-0 | Tip: Under 2.5 goals
Ferdi’s prediction: There will be goals between two teams who will need the points early in the season to avoid a difficult year. 2-2
Ajax v Heracles
Michael’s prediction: Heracles haven’t signed many quality players this summer and I think that will show against a hungry Ajax side who will want to show their rival teams that they mean business this season. 4-0 | Tip: Ajax -1.5 Asian Handicap
Ferdi’s prediction: Ajax will be champions this season. They have a good squad with a lot of quality players. Heracles are weak in away games when they play on ‘real’ grass. 3-0
Excelsior v Fortuna Sittard
Michael’s prediction: Fortuna are one of three promoted teams this season that add a fresh feel to the league. Excelsior have appointed their physio as their new manager – could that backfire? Their new signings are solid and should see them safe come the end of the campaign. I think Fortuna will get a positive result on their Eredivisie return. 1-1 | Tip: Both teams to score
Ferdi’s prediction: Excelsior have been doing very well with a small budget for many years now. The more experienced side will win. 2-1
PSV v Utrecht
Michael’s prediction: PSV start their title defence against Utrecht, who have made some impressive transfers this summer and should be confident of a top 6 finish – perhaps they are missing a true goal-scorer in attack, though. We saw that PSV aren’t Mark van Bommel’s finished article yet after a 0-0 draw in the Dutch Super Cup, which they lost on penalties to Feyenoord. This is a close match that the home side should clinch if Luuk de Jong and co. can take their chances. 2-1 | Tip: Both teams to score
Ferdi’s prediction: A difficult first game for the champions. I’m expecting a narrow win for PSV. 2-1
Sunday 8th April
ADO Den Haag v Emmen
Michael’s prediction: Will ADO get as many wins as last season without top goal-scorer Bjorn Johnsen? Friendly results have been mixed but ultimately, they will be OK this season. ADO will ‘huff and puff’ but Emmen to snatch a win. 0-1 | Tip: Emmen double chance
Ferdi’s prediction: ADO will be the surprise of the season as they were last season. With a very decent manager I expect something from Emmen in home games. 3-1
Vitesse v Groningen
Michael’s prediction: Potentially a very good game between two of the Eredivisie’s better teams with new managers. For me, Leonid Slutsky’s Vitesse will win this match comfortably, even after their Europa League game with Basel on Thursday. 3-1 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals
Ferdi’s prediction: There’s a good vibe at Groningen and I expect a lot from them. A solid point at Arnhem will be the start of a good season. 1-1
De Graafschap v Feyenoord
Michael’s prediction: The other member of the trio of promoted teams take on Feyenoord. The gap between the top and bottom of the Eredivisie has got wider in the last few years and that will be apparent on Sunday as De Graafschap will get a baptism of fire. 0-4 | Tip: Feyenoord -1.5 Asian Handicap
Ferdi’s prediction: I am expecting a traditional top three of Ajax, Feyenoord and PSV. It’ll be a hard season for de Graafschap. 0-3
AZ v NAC Breda
Michael’s prediction: I think we will see a shock here. AZ were poor off the mark against Kairat in the Europa League qualifiers, hence why they were knocked out. In interviews you can tell the players are sorely disappointed and may take a while to bounce back. NAC struggle to sit-back and defend though, so a draw is more likely with plenty of goals scored. 2-2 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals
Ferdi’s prediction: AZ disappointed in Europe but they will be far too good for NAC in the Eredivisie. 4-0
How has Michael done so far?
No results so far this season.
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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.
