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, 2nd October
FC Utrecht v Heerenveen
Utrecht showed against RKC that they have forward players who are ready to take their chances, despite a lack of creativity last Sunday. With Eljero Elia and Adrian Dalmau yet to fully feature, there could be exciting months ahead for Utrecht fans, should Feyenoord and AZ continue to drop points. After three successive wins, I think Heerenveen will lose this. In their latest win over VVV, they weren’t at their best, and I think Utrecht’s defence have enough experience to handle the young attackers (even having lost Sean Klaiber to Ajax this week), and I also reckon Utrecht will put their visitors under heavy pressure. 3-1 | Tip: Utrecht team goals +1.5.
Saturday, 3rd October
Vitesse Arnhem v Heracles Almelo
Oussama Tannane has continued his pre-season form and has been excellent so far. I think he’ll be important again in this one. Heracles have Orestis Kiomourtzoglu to try and keep track of Tannane, but Tannane’s movement is too good. 2-0 | Tip: Vitesse team goals +1.5.
RKC Waalwijk v PEC Zwolle
RKC still have too many errors in their back-line. For me, that is why they haven’t truly improved since last season. This is an opportunity to put some points on the board, but I think they’ll find it hard to keep out PEC for 90 minutes. 1-1 | Tip: Both teams to score.
VVV-Venlo v ADO Den Haag
I think VVV will win quite easily in Venlo. They are a professional team, so they shouldn’t take ADO lightly. I have not seen any promise from this newly assembled squad in the Hague to suggest that they will be safe this season. 3-0 | Tip: Giakoumakis to score at any time.
FC Twente v FC Emmen
Twente are playing some good football this season. I don’t think Emmen will put the host’s defence under a lot of pressure here, even though they’re not playing too badly either. I just think that Ron Jans is really getting the best out of his players at the moment. It’s a shame they won’t be able to play in front of fans, as De Grolsch Veste was rocking in their last home match. 1-0 | Tip: Home win.
Sunday, 4th October
FC Groningen v Ajax – LIVE on Premier Sports 2
Groningen haven’t really convinced me thus far. It might take some time for manager Danny Buijs to mould his new, younger players into the defensive unit he assembled last season. Ajax have been choosing Zakaria Labyad as a striker this season, so that the pacey attackers can work around him. At some point, they will come up short in attack because of this, and they will also need a convincing defensive midfielder in the bigger league and Champions League matches. I think they have enough to hold off the challenge of this current Groningen side, though. 0-2 | Tip: Ajax -1.5 Asian handicap.
Sparta Rotterdam v AZ Alkmaar
Can this be the match for AZ to finally kick-start their season? I think for Sparta, they will want to keep it tight after three defeats and no goals scored. I can see AZ being far from perfect, but just about earning their first victory of the campaign. 1-2 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.
Willem II v Feyenoord – Delayed airing on Premier Sports 2
Willem II made plenty of chances in their draw with Emmen last weekend, which showed they were out to prove themselves following their Europa League exit at the hands of Rangers. Pavlidis is still playing well up top, and Trésor’s abilities in and around the box have been better utilised recently. Feyenoord weren’t quite right again in their 4-2 win over ADO. They won, but it was far more difficult than it should have been. I think they’re going to find it difficult in Tilburg. The result for me depends on how solid the Willem II backline will be, as it’s not their first choice back four, with Miquel Nelom particularly standing out for his mistakes. 1-1 | Tip: Both teams to score.
PSV v Fortuna Sittard – LIVE on Premier Sports 2
Erin Zahavi made an instant impact for PSV on his debut in the Europa League. Him and Malen could score plenty of goals together. Fortuna Sittard have shown they have goals in them this season – and some fight too – but they seem also quite leaky. PSV seem the kind of side at the moment who should capitalise. 4-0 | Tip: PSV -1.5 Asian handicap.
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 results + 6/9 betting tips
Follow
Writer/interviewer/YouTuber for Football-Oranje. Massive Dutch football fan from the UK. Follow me @EredivisieMike & subscribe to Football-Oranje on YouTube.
