Every week in the 2019/20 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 week, it’s Norwegian commentator Paul Thomas Clay, who commentates on the Eredivisie, amongst other competitions such as the Champions League, for Viasat.

  • by Michael Statham
  • Follow Michael on Twitter @EredivisieMike
  • Follow PT Clay on Twitter @ptclay

Friday, 27th September

FC Emmen v ADO Den Haag

Michael’s prediction: I think whoever wins this match will go on to have a solid season; it could be that important already. Both sides currently sit 16th and 15th respectively. I’m tempted for a draw but Emmen’s 3-3 draw with Feyenoord was a great show of character and how to take chances. 2-1 | Tip: Both teams to score.

PT’s prediction: Emmen will be encouraged by their performance against Feyenoord last weekend, despite the late equaliser. ADO are in a dark place at the moment, this one is for Emmen to take. 2-0

Saturday, 28th September

VVV-Venlo v Heerenveen

Michael’s prediction: VVV still haven’t been setting the world alight with their quality of football, but they’re a tight unit, especially with the defensively-minded midfield trio of Lee Cattermole, Danny Post and Evert Linthorst. Heerenveen are growing week-by-week. They’ve shown increasing quality to win games; this could be their opportunity to showcase their abilities and win only a second game in eight. 1-2 | Tip: Heerenveen double chance.

PT’s prediction: VVV’s inconsistency and Heerenveen’s lack of ability to edge out close encounters have been the story so far, and makes this one difficult to predict. I think ScH’s attacking quality will be the decider at De Koel. 1-2

Ajax v Groningen

Michael’s prediction: Quincy Promes has scored six goals in his last five games. He’s truly up and running this season in the way many expected since his summer move from Sevilla. If you ask me, it’s more good management from Erik Ten Hag to keep Promes out of the team for a little while upon signing to make him hungrier to play. Groningen face another extreme test here and it will be too much for them. 4-0 | Tip: Ajax -2.5 Asian handicap.

PT’s prediction: Although they got a good result at home against PEC Zwolle last weekend, this week will prove too tough for the visitors. The two most difficult away games of the season in the space of three days will leave the Buijs boys with zero points. 3-0

Fortuna Sittard v Sparta Rotterdam

Michael’s prediction: Fortuna are one of two teams (along with RKC) tht I fear are in for a very arduous campaign. Sparta have flown out of the blocks, particularly against similarly-matched teams. I think Sparta will exercise their qualities on the counter-attack once more. 1-3 | Tip: Away win.

PT’s prediction: If the home team can tighten up at the back, they are in with a chance against Sparta. The visitors with predictable losses against the top teams so far, but with important wins against expected fellow strugglers. 2-2

Sunday, 29th September

RKC Waalwijk v Vitesse Arnhem

Michael’s prediction: One would be very brave to predict any result for RKC. Vitesse continue to be a consistent side, seemingly unaffected by the sale of right-back Vyacheslav Karavaev, who was arguably their best player last season. They have been taking their chances that opponents are gifting them; RKC offer plenty of those. 1-3 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

PT’s prediction: With an average of 3.5 goals conceded, nobody expects anything from RKC against Vitesse. Vitesse left it late against Fortuna Sittard last weekend, and have shown defensive weakness over the past two games. My gambling alter ego wants to say there is an outside chance of a home victory, but my brain says no. 1-2

PEC Zwolle v PSV

Michael’s prediction: Sometimes you can look for the mid-table teams to cause upsets on the traditional top three. On this occasion, this would be highly far-fetched. PEC Zwolle haven’t really been showing particular strength defensively (possessing the division’s fourth poorest back-line) and I can’t see their best attacking players getting enough opportunities to attack in numbers against the PSV defence. 0-2 | Tip: PSV -1.5 Asian handicap.

PT’s prediction: Almost half of PEC Zwolle’s goals were scored in one match (against RKC), and I think they will struggle to trouble PSV on this occasion. PSV should take this, even without being at their best. 0-3

Utrecht v Willem II

Michael’s prediction: Utrecht have some very good players: solid centre-backs, a creative midfield and a deadly striker. They’re far from perfect and not yet gelled as a team, with opposition sometimes able to expose down the wings or the lack of a true defensive midfielder. Willem II will look to the pace of Ché Nunnely and link-up between Marios Vrousai and Vangelis Pavlidis. I’m unsure whether Willem II may snatch a point or if Utrecht click as a unit to get a comfortable three points. 1-1 | Tip: Both teams to score.

PT’s prediction: An evenly matched game, two teams with similar starts to the season. This could go either way, or somewhere in the middle. 1-1

AZ Alkmaar v Heracles Almelo

Michael’s prediction: AZ face Manchester United next Thursday having sweeped the floor with Feyenoord in the league on Thursday just gone. Because of the importance of that win, AZ will simply continue the wave of confidence. Football doesn’t always work this way, but Heracles are an open side and the Alkmaar outfit will be excellent at exploiting the space. 3-1 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

PT’s prediction: AZ with the, on paper, far better team. Heracles though have put together a string of good results in their recent games (after a difficult start to the season). AZ juggling the Eredivisie and Europa League is a challenge, and hence a busy schedule. Could Heracles exploit a split focus ahead of the United game? 1-1

Feyenoord v FC Twente

Michael’s prediction: After having lost 0-3 to AZ, Jaap Stam needs an instant response from his players. Twente had impressed in their opening six-and-a-half games, but were frustrated by a disallowed second goal against Heracles and consequent lapses in concentration that lead to defeat. Twente will have had nine days since their last match, Feyenoord only three. That lack of preparation time and soreness of defeat by AZ may harm Feyenoord. I’m backing Twente to pick up a good point. 1-1 | Tip: Twente double chance.

PT’s prediction: Stam should’ve got more out of his players, and Feyenoord don’t look like a contender for the top spots at the moment. Twente the suprise package of the season, and could cause real trouble at De Kuip. Their last two games should pose as a warning to Feyenoord, there are no easy games in their situation. Expect them to bounce back here in a tight game. 2-1

How has Michael done so far?

Week 1: 2 results + 5/9 correct betting tips | Lost versus Derby County goalkeeper Kelle Roos [6 results]

Week 2: 5 results + 3/9 betting tips | Lost versus Football Manager head researcher Jeroen Thijssen [5 results & 1 correct score]

Week 3: 4 results & 1 correct score + 5/9 betting tips | Won versus ED journalist and PSV-watcher Rik Elfrink [4 results]

Week 4: **2 results & 1 correct score + 4/6 betting tips | Lost versus ED journalist Chris Ottens [**3 results] **reduced schedule of only 6 matches

Week 5: 4 results + 6/9 betting tips | Won versus commentator Phil Blacker [3 results & 1 correct score]

Week 6: 6 results & 1 correct score + 7/9 betting tips | Lost versus EiF founder & journalist Marc Gerschwind [8 results & 2 correct scores]

Week 7: 5 results & 1 correct score + 5/9 betting tips | Won versus commentator Jonathan Beck [4 results]




Michael Statham (800 Posts)

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