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 Yorin Schrader, who runs the humorous ‘Eredivisie Out Of Context’ Twitter page; he is a popular Vitesse supporter on the same social media platform.

  • by Michael Statham
  • Follow Michael on Twitter @EredivisieMike
  • Follow Yorin on Twitter @TheReaIYorin

Friday, 4th October

Groningen v RKC Waalwijk

Michael’s prediction: Everyone expects Groningen to record a comfortable home win here, but you never know if this is RKC Waalwijk’s turning point. I think that’s highly unlikely though given Groningen’s qualities and RKC’s leaky defence. It’s the league’s worst attack (the home side have only scored seven times) versus the worst defence (RKC have conceded 26) – something’s got to give! 2-0 | Tip: Groningen team goals +1.5.

Yorin’s prediction: RKC Waalwijk are last in the table with only 1 point from the first 8 games in the Eredivisie. Last week they lost to Vitesse. FC Groningen have more qualities than RKC Waalwijk. 2-0

Saturday, 5th October

Heracles Almelo v FC Emmen

Michael’s prediction: Heracles will play attacking and expansive football on Saturday, and striker Cyriel Dessers is growing into his lone frontman role. I think Emmen will pick up far more points at home themselves too this season, so we’re unlikely to see a repeat of the convincing 3-0 win over ADO, but I do think there’ll be a few goals in this. 2-1 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

Yorin’s prediction: Heracles Almelo are mid-table in the Eredivisie. Last weekend, Heracles Almelo lost 2-0 to a strong playing AZ Alkmaar. FC Emmen on the other hand made a very good impression, beating ADO 3-0. Both teams are close together, but the home advantage will ultimately be decisive. 3-1

Vitesse Arnhem v FC Utrecht

Michael’s prediction: After four games, Vitesse sit a healthy fourth place, with Utrecht just behind them. Against sub-top teams, Vitesse tend to keep these games tight. There is plenty of experience in that side to beat an improving Utrecht. 1-0 | Tip: Under 2.5 goals.

Yorin’s prediction: Vitesse and FC Utrecht are two teams that both want to qualify for European Football. Both teams won last weekend, despite the fact that they both received a red card. My expectation is an exciting match. 2-2

Sparta Rotterdam v FC Twente

Michael’s prediction: Seventh versus eighth tells you exactly how these two promoted sides are finding their return to the Eredivisie. I think that Sparta’s fast attackers will cause their visitors too many problems, given how Twente found Feyenoord’s quick play in the 5-1 defeat last weekend. 2-1 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

Yorin’s prediction: Both Sparta Rotterdam and FC Twente were promoted to the Eredivisie last season. They have both had a surprisingly good start to the season and are in the top half. I expect this to be an exciting game, with two teams going full for the win. FC Twente may have a bit more quality, but it is difficult for many teams to win against Sparta in Rotterdam. 1-1

Heerenveen v PEC Zwolle

Michael’s prediction: Heerenveen produced a far more convincing display against VVV last time out than most of their previous games this season. Chidera Ejuke is growing with every week he plays in the Eredivisie. After a tricky last couple of games, PEC will have more joy at Heerenveen. I think this will be a score draw. 2-2 | Tip: Both teams to score.

Yorin’s prediction: SC Heerenveen played a good away game against VVV Venlo and won 0-3. PEC Zwolle, on the other hand, lost 0-4 in Zwolle to an outstanding PSV. Heerenveen offensively have a lot of speed with Mitchell van Bergen and Chidera Ejuke and they have more creativity than PEC Zwolle. I expect a boring but easy victory for sc Heerenveen. 2-0

Sunday, 6th October

ADO Den Haag v Ajax

Michael’s prediction: ADO fans have suffered a lot of disappointment so far this campaign. Usually they make this particular fixture one to remember, but I simply cannot see anything other than a big Ajax win should the Amsterdammers show no mercy. It is a really poor ADO squad at the moment, with many weak positions and little link up between defence and attack. 0-5 | Tip: Ajax -2.5 Asian handicap.

Yorin’s prediction: This is always an exciting match. Still no away supporters can attend this game, to the disappointment of many football fans. ADO Den Haag had a weak start to the season and are still looking for a consistent team. Ajax, on the other hand, are playing excellently and are currently on top of the league with PSV. Although ADO Den Haag would like to make it impossible for Ajax to play football, this is not going to work. Ajax are simply way too good. 0-3

Fortuna Sittard v Feyenoord

Michael’s prediction: Feyenoord have been so unbelievably up and down this season; it’s crazy but I’m not sure Feyenoord fans know any different! One week they look incredibly mediocre, the next a very strong top three Eredivisie side. Because of how poor Fortuna’s start to the season has been, it’d take some effort for them to beat the Rotterdammers. 0-2 | Tip: Berghuis to score at any time.

Yorin’s prediction: Feyenoord have had a difficult start in the Eredivisie. There seemed to be a crisis in Rotterdam, but luckily for Jaap Stam, they won 5-1 over FC Twente last weekend. Fortuna Sittard have not won any games this season and are in 17th place in the Eredivisie. An ideal moment for Feyenoord to take the three points home from Sittard. 0-3

PSV v VVV-Venlo

Michael’s prediction: PSV will have too much pace and energy to dispatch this brave VVV outfit. It could take a little while to get the goals, but PSV should be patient. 2-0 | Tip: PSV team goals +1.5.

Yorin’s prediction: PSV are in very good shape. VVV-Venlo are certainly not doing badly, but will not be able to stand up against PSV. It is advantageous for VVV Venlo that PSV have had to play in Norway against Rosenborg for the Europa League this week. But in the end it will also be a simple victory for PSV. 4-0

Willem II v AZ Alkmaar

Michael’s prediction: AZ’s excellent performance against Manchester United is sure to take some energy out of them before this tie on Sunday. One of the smallest senior squads in the Eredivisie may experience their first European hangover of the campaign. 2-1 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

Yorin’s prediction: This will be an interesting and fun match. Willem II play pretty good football and do it reasonably well. AZ are in third place having only lost once this season. AZ have also given up only three goals in 8 games. My expectation is that a lot of goals will be scored. 2-4

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]

Week 8: 5 results + 5/9 betting tips | Lost versus commentator Paul Thomas Clay [6 results & 1 correct score]




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.