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, 25th September
FC Twente v FC Groningen
Ron Jans has guided his Twente side to a very promising beginning to the new campaign. Their front three like to play with swagger and they link up with pace. This is a hard one to predict because Groningen are fully capable of winning in Enschede, but Twente do look good. 1-1 | Tip: Both teams to score.
Saturday, 26th September
PEC Zwolle v Sparta Rotterdam
PEC have had a difficult start, losing to Feyenoord and drawing with AZ. In pre-season, they kept games very tight. John Stegeman is still on the look out for some more magic on the wings which could make the difference in games like this. Sparta have also had a tricky kick-off to the campaign, losing against Ajax and Vitesse. I think Henk Fraser will prepare pragmatically for this game and take all three points. 0-1| Tip: Sparta double chance.
Fortuna Sittard v AZ Alkmaar
Fortuna’s back four concerns me. They allow far too much room for attackers and overall they concede too many chances – centre-backs are easily out-manoeuvred by strikers. AZ have the quality and movement to blow away the challenge of Fortuna’s new attacking players, but they have not been playing anywhere near their best this season. 0-2 | Tip: Over 1.5 goals.
Heerenveen v VVV-Venlo
Two wins from two for Heerenveen! Their pre-season was dreadful, but the new signings have settled straight into the team. VVV have impressed too; however, I think this’ll be another good night for the hosts. 2-0 | Tip: Home win.
Ajax v Vitesse Arnhem – LIVE on Premier Sports 2
Vitesse represent a bigger test for Ajax than other recent games. In pre-season, I saw how Vitesse intend to play against the top sides in the Eredivisie, with their 1-1 draw with PSV. Lois Openda’s pace on the break will be key in stretching the defence and winning set pieces. I am tempted to pick a draw for this result, but the gap in quality is still vast. 1-1 | Tip: Both teams to score.
Sunday, 27th September
Feyenoord v ADO Den Haag – Delayed airing on Premier Sports 2
Steven Berghuis didn’t think Feyenoord were convincing enough in attack against Twente, despite the fact he passed up two glorious opportunities to win the game himself late on. ADO are in for a very tough season, and it’ll show here. 3-0 | Tip: Feyenoord -1.5 Asian handicap.
Heracles Almelo v PSV – Delayed airing on Premier Sports 2
It wasn’t a good weekend for Heracles last week; they were trounced 4-0 by Willem II and manager Frank Wormuth criticised Sylvester van der Water, publicly stating that he has not yet gone through puberty, for his no-show WhatsApp message the night before the game. PSV seem back to scoring for fun. Normally, Heracles is a big banana skin for PSV; however, I think the visitors will create lots of opportunities on the counter attack. 1-3 | Tip: PSV -1.5 Asian handicap.
Utrecht v RKC Waalwijk
This is another difficult away fixture for RKC, but they weren’t embarrassed in their 3-0 defeat to Ajax. Perhaps they’ll make this tight for Utrecht to win. The home side missed Adrian Dalmau in attack against VVV, but Mimoun Mahi filled in to great effect with his movement in and around the penalty area. Movement will be key to cut through the away defence here. 2-0 | Tip: Utrecht +1.5 team goals.
FC Emmen v Willem II
Willem II will be reeling after their Europa League exit against Rangers. I think Emmen will take home advantage, play some good football with their technical midfielders, and put Willem II to the sword. 2-0| Tip: Home win.
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
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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.
