Every week in the 2020/21 season, Football-Oranje’s Michael Statham gives you his predictions and betting tips for each Dutch Eredivisie round.
- by Michael Statham
- Follow Michael on Twitter @EredivisieMike
Friday, 12th February
RKC Waalwijk v FC Emmen
This is a very difficult match to predict – what a start to this weekend’s predictions. A relegation battle between four sides who all have their deficiencies. At the moment, I think the team finishing sixteenth – the relegation/promotion play-off spot – will also go down, such is the importance of being the best of a bad bunch. That last description is rather harsh on RKC though, who have been a neat and tidy team this season under Fred Grim. They have the quality to beat Emmen, but the visitors will also sense their chances in Waalwijk. 1-0 | Tip: Under 2.5 goals.
Saturday, 13th February
ADO Den Haag v PSV – LIVE on Premier Sports 2
ADO have injected another whole host of players into their squad over January, which was badly needed in their own battle for survival. These additions might have been a tad too late, but I do think they’ll make a difference to results. This is a game sorely needing supporters to give the home side a boost. If PSV score early on, it could be another one-sided affair seen all too often by ADO fans watching from home this season. ADO will pick up a few wins soon, but not on Saturday. 0-3 | Tip: PSV -1.5 Asian handicap.
Sparta Rotterdam v Fortuna Sittard
Sparta were one of the Eredivisie’s form sides because of their pragmatic approach with dustings of attacking quality. Since Sparta faded away somewhat, Fortuna have hit their stride – confidence under restored manager Sjors Ultee has seen them able to win so many games. Last weekend though, the Sittard outfit were unlucky not to get anything in their defeat to Heracles. This mid-table affair could go either way. 2-1 | Tip: Sparta or Fortuna to win double chance.
FC Groningen v PEC Zwolle
Groningen should be strong favourites to beat PEC Zwolle on Saturday. They’re still striving for a European place, so consistency beating teams in Zwolle’s position will be key – chasing down the top three or top four is certainly not out of the question (but I don’t think it’ll happen). In a flat season already for John Stegeman, his team look even flatter since he announced his departure from the club in the summer. 2-0 | Tip: Under 3.5 goals.
Heracles Almelo v Ajax – Delayed airing on Premier Sports 2
Mid-table Heracles love playing Ajax at home. We tend to get upsets and Ajax turning up playing well below their best. Ajax arrive in Almelo reeling from the news of André Onana being suspended for a year following a drugs test, and their Europa League campaign could be over before it even begins with Sebastien Haller ineligible to play. Haller will of course be fresher for the league matches; he scored a double against PSV on Wednesday. 0-2 | Tip: Ajax -1.5 Asian handicap.
Sunday, 14th February
AZ Alkmaar v Heerenveen
Two topsy-turvy teams right now. I don’t know what to make of AZ’s attack; Boadu is really off form, Gudmundsson is wasteful, and Karlsson is hot and cold. Heerenveen have been on their own adventure of poor performances, but look to be a better side again nowadays following home wins over Feyenoord and Vitesse – but more importantly, three clean sheets in a row and Pawel Bochniewicz performing excellently at centre-back. I’ll back Heerenveen to perform well again. 1-1 | Tip: Heerenveen double chance.
FC Utrecht v VVV-Venlo
Another winnable game for Utrecht, who will look to push for the top seven with a win over VVV, who are pretty toothless if Georgios Giakoumakis is kept quiet. I think Utrecht’s midfield will dominate and they’ll create enough chances to win. 2-1 | Tip: Utrecht +1.5 team goals.
Feyenoord v Willem II – Delayed airing on Premier Sports 2
Had Feyenoord played their cup game on Thursday, I may have backed a fresher Willem II to bag at least a point at Feyenoord. Now I think Feyenoord will take part in a decent game. The visitors are always a threat on the counter attack, but Feyenoord will pin them back. I’m pleased that Steven Berghuis got a goal against PSV last time out because it’ll do his confidence so much good. 3-1 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.
Vitesse Arnhem v FC Twente
A quick glance at Vitesse’s recent results shows they haven’t been scoring too often all season, but particularly of late. The goals are drying up; for example, until Lois Openda’s injury-time strike in the cup on Tuesday, he had only netted once in his last eleven games. Speaking of few goals, Twente have gone four without scoring – Danilo’s magnificent season in front of goal is being quickly forgotten, mainly due to a lack of service. So don’t expect a goal fest! 1-0 | Tip: Under 2.5 goals.
How has Michael done so far?
Week 1: 6/8 results (including 2 correct scores) + 3/8 betting tips
Week 2: 5/9 results (including 1 correct score) + 6/9 (1 void) betting tips
Week 3: 3/9 results + 6/9 betting tips
Week 4: 2/8 results + 5/8 betting tips
Week 5: 2/9 results (and 1 correct score) + 5/9 (1 void) betting tips
Week 6: 1/9 results + 3/9 betting tips
Week 7: 6/9 results + 9/9 betting tips!
Week 8: 5/9 results (and 1 correct score) + 5/9 betting tips
Week 9: 5/9 results (and 1 correct score) + 4/9 (1 void) betting tips
Week 10: 7/9 results (and 3 correct scores) + 7/9 betting tips
Week 11: 5/9 results (and 2 correct scores) + 8/9 betting tips
Week 12: 2/9 results + 4/9 betting tips
Week 13: 4/9 results (and 1 correct score) + 6/9 betting tips
Week 14: 3/9 results (and 1 correct score) + 7/9 betting tips
Week 15: 1/9 results + 3/9 betting tips
Week 16: 2/9 results + 1/9 betting tips
Week 17: 6/9 results and 1 correct score + 5/8 (1 void) betting tips
Week 18: 5/9 results and 3 correct scores + 4/9 betting tips
Week 19: 6/9 results + 6/9 betting tips
Week 20: 2/9 results and 1 correct scores + 2/9 betting tips
Week 21: *snow cancellations – 1/5 results + 2/5 betting tips