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 IMG Media commentator Richard Connelly, who commentates on Dutch Eredivisie matches. This weekend, you can hear Richard commentate live on Ajax v PSV on Premier Sports 1.
Saturday 30th March
Willem II v Fortuna Sittard
Michael’s prediction: Willem II are improving week on week, whereas Fortuna have been on the decline, despite a 3-1 win over fellow strugglers Emmen last week. The form of Alexander Isak is very exciting; I backed him to bring the goods against Feyenoord and that he did. The Tilburgers have not scored more goals in an Eredivisie season since the turn of the century; they should bag some more here. 3-1 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.
Richard’s prediction: It’s not just Huddersfield managers that emerge from Dortmund II. Alexander Isak saw off Feyenoord in Willem II’s last outing – and it seems he made a difference for Sweden against Norway. He – and team – are in the goals and should have too much firepower for leaky Fortuna. 4-1
ADO Den Haag v Vitesse
Michael’s prediction: ADO have been very poor lately, and now only sit three points above the danger area. Meanwhile, when watching Vitesse’s 3-2 loss at Heracles last time out, I thought that the Arnhemers were the better quality team throughout – they were unfortunate to concede three times and not helped by Max Clark’s sending-off. I reckon Martin Odegaard will be important in a hard-fought win. 1-2 | Tip: Both teams to score.
Richard’s prediction: Only 8 points since Christmas: ADO are making a meal of it. Plus they haven’t beaten a team as good as Vitesse all season. That said, Vitesse are flaky enough away from home to suggest they won’t win either. 1-1
De Graafschap v Heracles
Michael’s prediction: De Graafschap have certainly proven me wrong in their fight against relegation. They seemed destined to finish in the bottom two but now have a genuine chance of survival. I think an intense home performance may catch Heracles out. 2-1 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.
Richard’s prediction: De Graafschap were pummelled in Almelo in September. But 3-0 wins at Heerenveen and Zwolle in the last month have really caught the eye and I have a sneaky feeling for the home side. 1-0
Heerenveen v Excelsior
Michael’s prediction: I admit that Heerenveen’s 0-3 defeat to De Graafschap was an utter shock, but there’s only one way the home side can respond: beat Excelsior. The Rotterdam side were worryingly outplayed by PEC Zwolle last weekend and seem to be going backwards as an outfit. For me, only one result. 3-1 | Tip: Heerenveen -1.5 Asian handicap.
Richard’s prediction: Heerenveen have been so unpredictable this season, predicting their results should be entirely the preserve of the kind of swivel-eyed loons currently running the UK. However, since I’m here, they should be too good for impotent Excelsior. 2-0
AZ v Groningen – WATCH LIVE ON PREMIER SPORTS 2
Michael’s prediction: AZ have won their last eight home matches in all competitions, including their latest victory against Ajax. They played well and took advantage of Ajax’s off-day. Groningen have been in very good form themselves but I suspect they’ll try and frustrate AZ for long periods of the game. They will have to sacrifice their attacking threat though and rely on a bit of luck to leave Alkmaar with a result. 1-1 | Tip: Both teams to score.
Richard’s prediction: Two of the best teams in the Eredivisie in 2019 and a match rightly being covered by the World Feed this weekend. I do think AZ will win, because they’re stronger in the middle of the field, but Groningen are a HUGE price given recent results and – especially – if both Doan and Mahi are in the starting XI. 2-1
Sunday 31st March
NAC Breda v VVV-Venlo
Michael’s prediction: The situation for NAC Breda is getting rather desperate; they are nine points from safety with eight matches to go. No win here and I think they are down and out. I thought VVV did well to limit PSV’s chances a fortnight ago in the 0-1 home defeat. They will be expected to attack and win the game, but I suspect Maurice Steijn’s men will be solid and counter-attack dangerously with Mlapa, Joosten, Grot and Opoku in the arsenal. 1-2 | Tip: VVV draw no bet.
Richard’s prediction: I am in an elite club here, as I have commentated on a NAC goal in 2019. (There have only been 2 in 9 games). Can’t say I’ve dined out on it so far, but it is a fact. So it’s a terrible indictment to underline that NAC have been in even greater turmoil off the pitch than on. But Ruud Brood is going in with his eyes open and this may, may just be the worst time for VVV to play them. A swivel-eyed loon of a prediction here: 3-2
Utrecht v Feyenoord – WATCH LIVE ON PREMIER SPORTS 1
Michael’s prediction: Utrecht are winless in five at home, whilst Feyenoord have picked up a paltry three wins in their last eleven league games. A game then between two teams at the top end of the table who are petering out. Feyenoord often seem far from top three quality and have been erratic defensively. Utrecht will hope to take advantage with a confident performance but know that Sam Larsson could do damage on the counter-attack. 1-1 | Tip: Utrecht double chance.
Richard’s prediction: Slightly concerned I seem to be predicting almost exclusively home wins. That never works. A bit torn here. Utrecht have the talent to win this – and a coach who’ll want to ram home “look what you could have won”. But you’ve got to think van Bronckhorst and van Persie won’t let their long goodbyes turn to misery and mush. 2-2
PEC Zwolle v Emmen
Michael’s prediction: The relegation battle is about to become very exciting. PEC outplayed Excelsior last time out and know that a win here will give them confidence of surviving ahead of the final seven games. Emmen have either lost a bit of fight or other teams are finding them out because the results have been poorer than those before the Winter break. The quality difference between the other teams is beginning to tell. 2-0 | Tip: Home win.
Richard’s prediction: It’s a staggering fact that Emmen have won more away games than Feyenoord (which underlines the difficulty of Jaap Stam’s job next season). Emmen’s remaining home games look tough, they need more success on the road. I can see a draw here: 0-0.
Ajax v PSV –WATCH LIVE ON PREMIER SPORTS 1
Michael’s prediction: It’s time for an Eredivisie title showdown. It goes without saying how important this fixture is. Ajax can close the gap on PSV to two points with a win but cannot afford to play the way they did in their 1-0 defeat to AZ last time out. International players would have been away on duty, which won’t have helped recover fitness at all going into a make-or-break period for the Amsterdam side in the league, cup and Champions League. PSV haven’t been as convincing in their winning results recently, something I’d put down to Mark van Bommel’s midfield choices – choosing younger players instead of experienced pros. It’s a bold move from van Bommel, stamping his authority over the squad, but has it helped PSV’s creativity? Ajax will win the midfield battle if PSV play a youthful trio. PSV will put a lot of faith in their attacking weapons, but can Ajax make their inevitable pressure count? 2-1 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.
Richard’s prediction: I’m never keen to make forceful predictions like: if Ajax don’t win, the title race is over. No. I think PSV have lost some composure and could lose another handful of points before season’s end. But, Ajax can’t rely on that – and will try to impose themselves from the start. Of course, if they make mistakes, PSV might pounce. But if both teams play their best, Ajax win this. At home, and with Juventus still 10 days away, I think they will. 4-1
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])
Week 24: 8 results and 2 correct scores (+ Ajax v PEC Zwolle postponed) | 5/9 betting tips won (WON versus FC Groningen clubwatcher Merijn Slagter [7 results and 1 correct score])
Week 25: 8 results and 2 correct scores | 6/9 betting tips won (WON versus Eredivisie scout Xander Wilkinson [6 results and 1 correct score])
Week 26: 4 results and 1 correct score | 6/9 betting tips won (WON versus Pilka w Holandi writer Adam Sankowski [4 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.
