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 fellow Football-Oranje writer James Rowe.

  • by Michael Statham
  • Follow Michael on Twitter @EredivisieMike
  • Follow James on Twitter @JamesRoweNL

Friday 12th April

NAC Breda v Emmen

Michael’s prediction: A win for NAC would make the relegation battle even more interesting. I have a feeling the Eredivisie table – at the bottom, certainly – will look different again come Sunday evening. NAC will throw everything at Emmen, who aren’t usually a threat on the counter-attack. Despite Emmen’s strong work-ethic, I think they will be overrun by NAC as the hosts scrap desperately for survival, in front of what will be a vociferous home crowd. 2-0 | Tip: NAC team goals over 1.5.

James’s prediction: I think this match has a draw written a over it given the predicament both teams find themselves in. NAC Breda will view their defeat in Almelo last weekend as a ‘missed opportunity’, in my opinion. I also believe that if NAC Breda wish to avoid automatic relegation they must win on Friday night. 1-1

Saturday 13th April

Ajax v Excelsior

Michael’s prediction: It was another outstanding performance from Ajax in the Champions League on Wednesday night. That will take some energy away from this encounter, but Excelsior have been in woeful form and won’t have the weapons to beat Ajax over 90 minutes. Erik Ten Hag rarely rotates his squad but I think he should here. 3-0 | Tip: Ajax -1.5 Asian handicap.

James’s prediction: Now that Ajax are top on goal difference I believe that they will look to consolidate that with a victory this weekend. Excelsior Rotterdam’s new manager Ricardo Moniz will take charge for the first time. It will be a big task for him to lift up a squad that has lost their last six Eredivisie matches. He did tremendous work at AS Trencin in Slovakia and I believe his appointment gives Excelsior Rotterdam a chance of avoiding automatic relegation. 3-1

AZ v ADO Den Haag

Michael’s prediction: ADO’s 5-0 win over Utrecht was impressive as they made the most of their opponents’ total off-day. Meanwhile, even though AZ have dropped some points recently, they have actually won every home game for the last five months. Guus Til will be key, I think, as AZ look to expose ADO’s defensive weaknesses with movement in the opposing penalty area. 3-1 | Tip: AZ team goals over 1.5.

James’s prediction: I think that home advantage will see AZ Alkmaar win here. ADO Den Haag are unbeaten in their last three matches and will be full of confidence. AZ Alkmaar will feel that they must win in front of a home crowd after drawing their last two matches. 2-1

Fortuna Sittard v VVV-Venlo

Michael’s prediction: It’s a shame to see VVV fall to thirteenth after they enjoyed such a good first half to the season; they’re slipping away again just like last season. As for Fortuna, seven red cards have stained their attempts to stay up, including three successive dismissals in their last three games. I think they’ll get it right on Saturday and produce a display to confirm their Eredivisie status for next season. 3-2 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

James’s prediction: For me this is one of most intriguing matches of week 30 in the Eredivisie. Both teams need a win and there is only 3 points between them. Fortuna Sittard have been full of endeavor this season and must make use of home advantage. VVV Venlo have lost four of their last six matches and must try to curtail poor end-of-season form as seen last season. I do not think that they will be dragged into the relegation fight. 2-2

Feyenoord v Heracles

Michael’s prediction: Feyenoord have picked up their form and have looked more composed again lately as their long season comes to a close. Heracles have some very good technical players; is it enough to trouble Feyenoord? I think Feyenoord will cope with their visitors and have too much quality in attack. 2-0 | Tip: Feyenoord team goals over 1.5.

James’s prediction: I believe that Feyenoord will make it a hat-trick of victories in the Eredivisie this weekend in ‘De Kuip’ as they look to consolidate third place with five matches remaining. Heracles are gunning for a European play-off spot and I believe they need to win one or two more matches to get it. 3-1

Sunday 14th April

PSV v De Graafschap – WATCH LIVE ON PREMIER SPORTS 2

Michael’s prediction: The fact I had to even think about the outcome of this match shows that De Graafschap have made an improvement in recent weeks and months. Bergwijn, de Jong and Lozano will dish out many headaches on Sunday. 4-0 | Tip: PSV -1.5 Asian handicap.

James’s prediction: What a time for De Graafschap to go to Eindhoven in which PSV Eindhoven will look to react after losing top spot to Ajax. It may be a case of damage limitation for De Graafschaap. I think PSV will have the bit between their teeth and look to send out a statement to their home fans. As always, Henk de Jong will be full of belief in his players but to win in Eindhoven is a big ask. 4-1

Willem II v PEC Zwolle

Michael’s prediction: Willem II were totally outplayed in their home defeat to Ajax. However, this represents a good opportunity to unleash Alexander Isak on the PEC centre-backs. There was a time when the Tilburgers were better away from home than in their own stadium – I don’t believe that’s a problem anymore. I wonder whether PEC’s skilful midfielders can carve out opportunities to suckerpunch their hosts. 2-2 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

James’s prediction: I fancy Willem II to continue their fine form of four wins in their last five Eredivisie matches. They currently lie in 9th place in the Eredivisie which is stark contrast to the beginning of the season when they struggled. PEC Zwolle had a much needed win against Fortuna Sittard last weekend to ease any lingering relegation fears. I just feel that a highly confident Willem II with home advantage will take the three points here. 2-1

Heerenveen v Groningen

Michael’s prediction: Heerenveen reacted to only one win and one goal in four matches by sacking Jan Olde Riekerink. He’s not been able to manage a leaky defence, prevent some senior players from stagnating in the squad and consistently get the best from his forwards. I still think there’ll be goals in this game, despite Groningen’s outstanding record of the third least ‘amount of shots on target’ conceded by all teams in Europe in 2019! Heerenveen will play with freedom which will invite Groningen to open up and play too. 2-1 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

James’s prediction: This is always a feisty affair. News broke this week that SC Heerenveen have dispensed of the services of their manager Jan Olde Riekerink after three defeats in their last four matches. You wonder how that will affect the squad. I must also tip my hat to FC Groningen and in particular their manager Danny Buijs. After a difficult start to the Eredivisie campaign they are now in contention for a European play-off spot. 2-2

Utrecht v Vitesse

Michael’s prediction: From 0-4, 3-2 and 2-6 victories over NAC, Feyenoord and VVV respectively, to a hopeless 5-0 drubbing at ADO; football doesn’t make sense sometimes. Utrecht will want a reaction here from that total no-show. Vitesse were well-regarded for a strong defence at the start of the campaign, but have kept only one clean sheet in their last 21 games; a startling sign when you wonder why Vitesse only sit seventh in the table. I think Dick Advocaat’s men will set a marker before the Europa League play-offs, which inevitably both teams will contend, but Vitesse will be lucky and claim a victory. 1-2 | Tip: Both teams to score.

James’s prediction: This should be a cracking match. A wounded FC Utrecht coming off a 5-0 thrashing away at the hands of ADO Den Haag last weekend and a Vitesse Arnhem side who were extremely unlucky not to pick up three points at home to PSV Eindhoven last weekend. I predict that there will be lots of end-to-end action as both teams will look to consolidate their position in the European play-off places. 2-2

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 | 6/9 betting tips won (WON versus commentator Paul Thomas Clay [4 results])

Week 29: 6 results | 2/9 betting tips won (DRAW versus Football-Oranje editor and founder Michael Bell [6 results])




Michael Statham (802 Posts)

Writer/interviewer/YouTuber for Football-Oranje. Massive Dutch football fan from the UK. Follow me @EredivisieMike & subscribe to Football-Oranje on YouTube.