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 Joshua Hayward, who is a Dutch football journalist for Sky Sports UK.
- by Michael Statham
- Follow Michael on Twitter @EredivisieMike
- Follow Josh on Twitter @JoshuaHayward99
Friday 9th November
PEC Zwolle v Willem II
Michael’s prediction: I watched PEC Zwolle’s awful performance against Fortuna Sittard last weekend; they couldn’t string enough passes together to make it to the final third for the first half an hour and they were so passive when it came to defending set-pieces. It was a joke for away fans. A reaction is needed here. I think though that the visitors will win here. They have good weapons up front and are overdue a victory, having gone eight matches without a win. 1-2 | Tip: Willem II double chance.
Josh’s prediction: PEC’s performance and subsequent 3-0 defeat to Fortuna last week will have come as a bit of a surprise considering their recent run of form in all competitions. Willem II were comfortably beaten at the Johann Cruijff ArenA last time out, and I expect them to lose in Zwolle too. 2-1
Saturday 10th November
Emmen v NAC Breda
Michael’s prediction: I’m not sure NAC fans have ever celebrated a win over Heracles so much before! Last weekend’s home success is a big boost to them for the rest of the campaign. I think they’ll have a good chance in Emmen of getting some points too. 1-1 | Tip: Both teams to score.
Josh’s prediction: Emmen are finding life in the Eredivisie tough. They’re underwhelming going forward and are struggling defensively – still yet to keep a clean sheet – though last week’s point away to Heerenveen was encouraging. NAC have been poor this season, too, but they could be buoyed by beating Heracles last weekend. However, I can only see a draw here. 1-1
Vitesse v Utrecht
Michael’s prediction: Two teams who want to be firmly in the Eredivisie’s ‘sub-top’ to prove they are the best of the rest. A tight match awaits, I think. Utrecht hardly play free-flowing football and Vitesse tend to rely on good deliveries into the box for their threat. If Utrecht can be clinical, I think they can win this. Vitesse might come unstuck against an Advocaat’s classically rigid side. 1-1 | Tip: Utrecht double chance.
Josh’s prediction: I’m very much looking forward to this one. And I think it will be a close affair. Typically, Leonid Slutsky has Vitesse well organised and Utrecht haven’t exactly been free-scoring but have impressed me thus far. I make Vitesse slight favourites and I think they’ll win, but only just. 1-0
De Graafschap v PSV
Michael’s prediction: I wasn’t impressed with PSV’s tactics in their defeat to Spurs mid-week. They were far too defensive which wasted the attacking capabilities of Pereiro, Lozano and Bergwijn. That said, if you take more risks you are left more open. Lozano was hardly a threat when on the ball in any case, but you know that Lozano and co will be able to dispatch of De Graafschap with ease here. 1-3 | Tip: PSV -1.5 Asian handicap.
Josh’s prediction: For PSV, navigating last week’s tough fixture against Vitesse successfully and coming away with three points will have done their confidence the world of good. After such a strong start to the season they appeared to be waning somewhat. But I fully expect Mark van Bommel’s side to have too much for De Graafschap. 0-3
VVV-Venlo v Fortuna Sittard
Michael’s prediction: VVV have only enjoyed four home fixtures out of their twelve competitive fixtures so far. A rare occasion then for the onus to be on them to win the game; can Maurice Steijn’s men change their rigid tactics to open up Fortuna? The team from Sittard have scored an outstanding 25 goals in their last nine matches, so you can expect a threat. If Steijn is conservative, it could be difficult to watch but a way for VVV to win this encounter. 1-0 | Tip: Home win.
Josh’s prediction: I’m a fan of Maurice Steijn’s VVV. The way his team are able to stick to varying game plans depending on the strengths of opponent speaks volumes of how hard they’re willing to work for their coach. Fortuna have been a real treat this season and are particularly strong going forward. I can see goals in this one. 2-2
Sunday 11th November
Groningen v Heerenveen
Michael’s prediction: It’s time for a derby. Groningen looked so much more confident having scored some goals at Excelsior last week. I saw the likes of Doan and Mahi linking up well and finally showing their quality with smiles on their faces. I think they’ll shine again here to lift Groningen off the bottom of the table. Heerenveen have been below par for the majority of this campaign so far. Do they have the grit to battle Groningen? 2-1 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.
Josh’s prediction: How much did Groningen need that win over Excelsior last week? The pressure was mounting on Danny Buijs having seen his side go eight matches in all competitions without a win. Heerenveen were disappointed not to get their first home win of the season last week after being held by Emmen, but they’ve been better on the road and I think they’ll narrowly win here. 2-3
Excelsior v Ajax
Michael’s prediction: Excelsior are a nice team to watch and admire but so long as Ajax avoid complacency, this will be another comfortable victory for the Amsterdammers. 1-3 | Tip: Ajax -1.5 Asian handicap.
Josh’s prediction: I fear for Excelsior here. Ajax’s squad is so very impressive; one that is balanced and with real attacking intent. Erik ten Hag’s side have enjoyed a fine season so far, with just that one defeat to leaders PSV, and they’ll win this one comfortably. 1-3
ADO Den Haag v AZ
Michael’s prediction: It’s one league win in seven for ADO whose fans have been giving players some verbal abuse from the stands recently for poor performances. I think there’ll be a big challenge for AZ to win in The Hague, however, that’s usually due to the disastrous mistakes made by AZ centre-backs, who are being rotated out of the team every time someone makes an error. The mistakes are embarrassing but van den Brom needs more consistency in that team and new tactics going forward to get the best out of Guus Til who only has one league goal all season. 2-2 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.
Josh’s prediction: ADO were so poor in their defeat to Utrecht last weekend. They offered so little going forward and could have conceded even more than three. AZ’s two recent wins – against VVV in the cup and then against De Graafschap last Saturday – suggests John van den Brom may have found a lineup he is happy with after weeks of tinkering. I’m backing AZ to win this one. 1-2
Heracles v Feyenoord
Michael’s prediction: Tie of the weekend? It already looks as though Feyenoord are playing for European qualification and a Dutch Cup win this season. It wouldn’t be a sign of progress but also not a step backwards. They still can be riled in away games like this one. Heracles will have spells on top yet I can see Feyenoord’s quality strikers causing damage against the Almelo side’s defence. 1-2 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.
Josh’s prediction: It’s third against fourth and this should be a close one. Heracles enjoyed a fine start to the season, which saw them fly up the table, but they’ve now had a couple of poor results. Kristoffer Peterson, Adrian Dalmau and Brandley Kuwas have really impressed me. After that drubbing in De Klassieker, Feyenoord responded well by hammering ADO in the cup. And then, of course, last week’s match against VVV was abandoned so I’m not sure what to expect from Gio van Bronckhorst’s side. 2-1
How has Michael done so far?
Week 1: 4 results and 1 correct score | 6/9 betting tips won (WON versus author Ferdi Delies [2 results])
Week 2: 5 results | 2/9 betting tips won (LOST versus writer Alex Dieker [6 results])
Week 3: 3 results and 1 correct score | 4/9 betting tips won (DRAW versus author Abdul Al Sayed [4 results])
Week 4: 2 results | 5/9 betting tips won (LOST versus IMG UK’s Eredivisie Highlights Show expert Jonathan Beck [5 results and 2 correct scores])
Week 5: 4 results | 5/9 betting tips won (WON versus Notts County winger Enzio Boldewijn [3 results])
Week 6: 6 results and 2 correct scores | 7/9 betting tips won (WON versus Football-Oranje writer Charlie Pritchard [5 results and 1 correct score])
Week 7: 6 results and 2 correct scores | 7/9 betting tips won (WON versus Willem II graphic designer FootyGraphic [3 results])
Week 8: 6 results | 6/9 betting tips won (LOST versus commentator Paul Thomas Clay [7 results and 2 correct scores])
Week 9: 8 results and 4 correct scores | 7/9 betting tips won (WON versus Football Manager researcher Jeroen Thijssen [7 results and 1 correct score])
Week 10: 6 results and 3 correct scores | 5/9 betting tips won (WON versus PSV-watcher and Eindhovens Dagblad journalist Rik Elfrink [4 results and 1 correct score])
Week 11: 5 results* and 1 correct score | 4/8* betting tips won (WON versus secretary of England’s eighth division Matt Jones [4* results]) *=Feyenoord v VVV cancelled