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 Football-Oranje’s editor and founder, Michael Bell.
Saturday 6th April
ADO Den Haag v Utrecht
Michael’s prediction: Whilst Utrecht are flying at the moment, ADO have been relatively poor to watch and have been relying more on grit to get results. At home I think they’ll give the visitors a tough test though. 2-2 | Tip: El Khayati to score at any time.
Michael B’s prediction: ADO Den Haag have been in poor form recently and have fallen out of the European playoff running. Utrecht, on the other hand, are looking good and confident. On paper there should be only one winner and that is Dick Advocaat’s side. 1-3
Willem II v Ajax
Michael’s prediction: Alexander Isak is on fire! Admittedly, he was afforded too much space by Heracles as he bagged two goals and two assists in midweek, but I’m sure that he’ll impress again against Ajax – a truer test of his potential. I think the home side can really test Ajax and run them very close as the matches continue to roll by for the Amsterdammers. 1-2 | Tip: Both teams to score.
Michael B’s prediction: With a red-hot Alexander Isak, Willem II can cause plenty of problems for Ajax on Saturday, especially if the Amsterdammers have one eye on Juventus. Ajax hammered Emmen in midweek but Willem II are a tougher test. There will be goals at both ends and I see Ajax just scraping a victory. 2-3
Groningen v Excelsior
Michael’s prediction: What a shock for Adrie Poldervaart to leave Excelsior so late in the season! He wants to give the players an instant boost into these final games but there’s been no managerial appointment this week, so I can only see a continuation in Excelsior’s rotten form. I fancy a particularly good day for Groningen. 3-0 | Tip: Groningen -1.5 Asian handicap.
Michael B’s prediction: Adrie Poldervaart has left Excelsior in a right mess and in big trouble. They go into the game only one point above the drop zone and I cannot see anything other than a home win. Groningen are pushing for a Europa League playoff spot and they should have too much going forward for the Rotterdammers. 2-0
Heracles v NAC Breda
Michael’s prediction: I correctly predicted a rare NAC victory in midweek, but now I think the fun stops and relegation will loom large. Heracles have too much attacking quality in home matches. 3-1 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.
Michael B’s prediction: NAC got a big victory in midweek and look to be a better side under Ruud Brood. However, I think they are still going to be relegated. Heracles have too much going forward for the visitors and can see Adrian Dalmau helping himself to some goals. 3-1
De Graafschap v AZ
Michael’s prediction: De Graafschap continue to battle and they will make it dificult for AZ. It’ll be close but AZ should eventually get the goals to win. 1-2 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.
Michael B’s prediction: AZ threw away a victory against Vitesse in midweek and they will be aiming to bounce back with a win which will keep them on course for
Sunday 7th April
Emmen v Heerenveen
Michael’s prediction: Heerenveen’s attack were anonymous in their dreadful 3-0 defeat to Feyenoord on Thursday. The midfield gave little to no connection to the front three and injuries halted any protection to the back four – Yuki Kobayashi replaced Stijn Schaars in the first-half and he, quite frankly, looked like he didn’t want to be on the pitch at all. Emmen need to take advantage of a tired, injury-hit and lacklustre bunch of Frisians. 2-1 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.
Michael B’s prediction: Heerenveen
PEC Zwolle v Fortuna Sittard
Michael’s prediction: PEC have the better players and ‘know-how’ to beat Fortuna, lead by the outgoing Jaap Stam. I have a feeling though that René Eijer’s men will shock the hosts and play some decent football to almost guarantee Eredivisie survival; Fortuna have not shown us in a while now what they are truly capable of when they’re confident. 1-3 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.
Michael B’s prediction: The hosts go into this game looking for a win which should be enough to guarantee their safety. Fortuna Sittard can be a danger going forward but I don’t think their defence will keep out PEC Zwolle’s attack. 3-1
VVV-Venlo v Feyenoord
Michael’s prediction: A few weeks ago, VVV were able to make it tough for PSV on home turf. Can Maurice Steijn make his team tight for Feyenoord too? Well, after a 2-6 drubbing against Utrecht in midweek, they’ll be keen to refind their organisation. For me, Feyenoord have looked marginally better lately so should be good for three points. 1-2 | Tip: Berghuis to score at any time.
Michael B’s prediction: We saw a much better Feyenoord performance against Heerenveen in midweek and they will need to show that form again in Venlo to keep up the pressure on AZ. VVV are eight points above the drop zone and are safe. There isn’t much for the hosts to play for at the moment, meaning Feyenoord should triumph. 1-3
Vitesse v PSV
Michael’s prediction: With six games to go, PSV have the trickier Eredivisie games as they bid for the title with Ajax. I have few doubts over PSV’s ability to win the home matches that await them; however, this away trip plus AZ away on the final day of the season present two huge challenges. It just feels like it’s PSV’s season, considering Ajax’s Champions League and Dutch Cup exploits keeping them busy. Meanwhile, after three successive wins for Vitesse, the Arnhem side are now winless in four. Leonid Slutsky will want to improve his team into a more ruthless outfit next season if they are to challenge for a top three/four position. It’s this difference in quality that will see PSV win on Sunday. This should be a very competitive game though. 0-2 | Tip: Away win.
Michael B’s prediction: This is a real test for PSV’s title credentials. If Ajax defeat Willem II then they will be under huge pressure on Sunday evening. Vitesse are more than capable of beating the leaders if they show their best but I can see PSV coming out on top in this one. Luuk de Jong and Steven Bergwijn were in great form in midweek, while Van Bommel’s side looked much better with Gaston Pereiro back. It will be a close match but PSV to come out with a huge victory. 2-3
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])
Week 27: 4 results | 6/9 bettings tips won [1 void] (LOST versus IMG Media commentator Richard Connelly)
Week 28: 6 results and 1 correct score (WON versus commentator Paul Thomas Clay [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.
