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 freelance journalist and FC Groningen clubwatcher Merijn Slagter, who focusses on amateur football in the Netherlands.
Postponed
Ajax v PEC Zwolle has been controversially moved to a later date to allow Ajax extra time to prepare for their Champions League fixture against Real Madrid. We will not predict this match.
Friday 1st March
De Graafschap v ADO Den Haag
Michael’s prediction: De Graafschap will be delighted with their first away of the season now under their belts and a win against ADO could change their season’s fortunes completely. With the table being so tight above them, they may still have a chance of complete survival. Benschop has been a good signing for them in attack and I back him to again cause problems against ADO. 1-1 | Tip: Both teams to score.
Merijn’s prediction: De Graafschap booked last week their first away win of the season and seem like they’re coming into form at just the right time. Because results are also sacred for ADO in the battle against relegation, I suspect a draw.1-1
Saturday 2nd March
Heracles v Utrecht
Michael’s prediction: Utrecht did everything but score in their 0-0 with Excelsior, and I just fancy them to beat Heracles, even though Almelo is a very tough place to go. Gyrano Kerk is maturing as a player with every game it feels like this season, and is becoming more reliable too; I think he will be dangerous on the counter-attack. 1-2 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.
Merijn’s prediction: Heracles have won three consecutive games without conceding, whilst Utrecht struggled last time with form and bad luck. Dick Advocaat’s team is still hard to beat. A stalemate. 0-0
Excelsior v PSV
Michael’s prediction: With upcoming matches against VVV, PEC, Heerenveen and NAC, Excelsior’s destiny is certainly within their own hands. Anything here is a bonus. Despite the small pitch and wobbly recent results, I can’t see PSV struggling on the artificial surface. They might struggle to get going, but I’d like to see more of Gutierrez, Gakpo and Ihatteren to try and freshen up the PSV attack. 0-2 | Tip: PSV -1.5 Asian handicap.
Merijn’s prediction: The Kralingers have returned from the winter break in good form with three wins from five. Still, the quality difference in normal terms is too big for a surprise, given the need for PSV to win. 1-3
Vitesse v NAC Breda
Michael’s prediction: That was a much improved performance from Vitesse at Emmen, they worked hard and did not underestimate their opponents. A straight forward win awaits with a similar display here – NAC have not won away this season, including only one sheet in that barren run. 3-1 | Tip: Vitesse score 1.5 goals.
Merijn’s prediction: Although clubs in need can earn surprise results, I don’t think that NAC is able to win at Vitesse. A point seems the maximum achievable. After the win in Emmen, Vitesse have struck the right cord again and will pick up the points in the Gelredome. A small win. 2-0
Sunday 3rd March
Heerenveen v Willem II
Michael’s prediction: I think Willem II’s cup tie with AZ will take out some energy for the team and consequently Heerenveen will win. Michel Vlap, Sam Lammers and Mitchell van Bergen are enjoying the regular football and are still producing the goods in attack, which is edging the Frisians away from relegation trouble. 3-1 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.
Merijn’s prediction: The club that is mediocre at home, against the club that have just reached the cup final. Willem II have the champagne and the aftermath of the tough match of Thursday presumably sitting in their legs, whilst Heerenveen can rest and repair. A small win for the hosts. 2-1
Groningen v VVV-Venlo
Michael’s prediction: Two sides that want to look up the table to the Europa League playoff positions rather than peer down. VVV haven’t been performing as fluidly lately and I think Groningen’s aggressive style of play at home will be plenty to win this game. 2-0 | Tip: Doan to score at any time.
Merijn’s prediction: The last six matches between these sides all ended in draws, so the chance is great that you may see a winner. I expect a Groningen win. Groningen are strong at home, where the Venlo side can stoutly defend. Groningen are missing two key defenders, which could make the difference. 1-0
Feyenoord v Emmen
Michael’s prediction: Feyenoord’s defeat to Ajax in the cup semi-final will be a major deflation to their season. Now it is all about finishing third and trying to blood some youngsters, the latter being something I don’t think we’ll see nearly enough, instead we’ll have to continue watching stale pro’s who need to move on from the club. Emmen will run Feyenoord close I reckon, but Feyenoord will edge them out in a tepid affair…is my prediction. 2-0 | Tip: Jorgensen to score at any time.
Merijn’s prediction: Although the miracles are not yet out of this world, it would be very strange if Feyenoord don’t earn a simple win. Emmen are just too apathetic and too modest in away games at the big clubs, and will also have to play in De Kuip. After the cup game against Ajax, the Legion expects nothing less than a generous victory. 3-0
AZ v Fortuna Sittard
Michael’s prediction: Fortuna’s defence has crumbled since the Winter break. Injuries and suspensions haven’t helped but AZ won’t hold much sympathy. A cup match in mid-week may tire them for this. If Fortuna can be uncharacteristically rigid in this match, they will increase their chances of getting a point, by frustrating AZ. I think it could be close. 1-0 | Tip: Fortuna +1.5 goals Asian handicap.
Merijn’s prediction: How disappointed AZ will be after missing out on the cup final. Against Fortuna there is an immediate chance of revenge, in the fight for the coveted third spot. Earlier this season AZ were too strong in Siitard and the points will also go to the Alkmaar side on this occasion. Fortuna must look elsewhere. 3-1
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
Week 12: 6 results | 4/9 betting tips won (WON versus Sky Sports journalist Joshua Hayward [4 results])
Week 13: 5 results and 1 correct score | 6/9 betting tips won (LOST versus Northampton Town’s Dutch striker Kevin van Veen [6 results and 1 correct score])
Week 14: 4 results | 7/9 betting tips won (DRAW versus Football-Oranje.com editor Michael Bell [4 results])
Week 15: 5 results | 8/9 betting tips won (WON versus writer Alex Moretto)
Week 16: 5 results and 1 correct score | 5/9 betting tips won (WON versus Football-Oranje.com writer James Rowe [4 results])
Week 17: 5 results and 1 correct score | 5/9 betting tips won (WON versus ZiggoSport editor Joep Smeets [4 results and 1 correct score])
Week 18: 3 results | 6/9 betting tips won (LOST versus FC Utrecht e-Sporter Danny Hazebroek)
Week 19: 4 results and 1 correct score | 2/9 betting tips won (WON versus Football-Oranje.com writer Alex Royal [1 result])
Week 20: 5 results | 8/9 betting tips won (WON versus BN DeStem Voetbal journalist Maarten Elst [3 results])
Week 21: 4 results and 1 correct score | 4/9 betting tips won (DRAW versus Football-Oranje.com editor Michael Bell [5 results])
Week 22: 6 results and 1 correct score | 5/9 betting tips won (WON versus Dutch football tipster Crypto [4 results])
Week 23: 4 results | 5/9 betting tips won (LOST versus Football-Oranje.com writer Alex Royal [5 results])
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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.
