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
Saturday, 17th October
VVV-Venlo v Ajax – Delayed airing on Premier Sports 2
VVV showed against AZ that they’ll keep fighting until the final moments of a game to get a result, so Ajax will need to watch out for complacency in this one if they are winning with a slim lead late into the game. It’s a shame that Mohammed Kudus is now ruled out for Ajax; a midfield containing him, Klaassen and Gravenberch looked to finally be the answer. I still think Ajax are searching for further fluency in their attack, but it would be hard to bet against them in this game. 0-2 | Tip: Ajax -1 Asian handicap.
FC Utrecht v FC Twente
Strikers Adrian Dalmau and Mimoun Mahi are ruled out again for Utrecht, meaning Moussa Sylla must again play up top, with Eljero Elia again expected to start on the bench. All this means I see chances for high-flying Twente to cause another upset. I don’t see there being many goals here, and probably a draw. 1-1 | Tip: Under 2.5 goals.
PEC Zwolle v Willem II
It continues to be a sloppy start for Willem II. Playing left-wing back Derrick Kohn at centre-back was a make-shift decision, and within two minutes Kohn loses his man and the Tilburgers were a goal down. I see a low quality game being played out here, with Willem II keen to keep a rare clean and a mistake leading to a PEC Zwolle victory. 1-0 | Tip: Under 2.5 goals.
Heerenveen v FC Emmen
I think this game (compared to my previous two previews) will be open and expansive (so expect a 0-0 now haha!). Heerenveen’s promising start to the campaign ended with a heavy defeat at Ajax, but they still caused problems. Emmen are desperate for their first win of the season, especially with Feyenoord, Vitesse, AZ and Ajax their following four league fixtures. It is against what one would expect, but I will go for an Emmen away win. 1-2 | Tip: Emmen double chance.
Sunday, 18th October
Fortuna Sittard v FC Groningen
Usually, Groningen games don’t involve a lot of goals, but I think with the way Fortuna play, the visitors will need to either contain their opposition or attack and go toe-to-toe. I see the latter happening, but Fortuna are yet to face a team at home more ‘at their level’. Their new attacking players are a decent quality and they now seem to be gelling together. Therefore, a home win for me. 2-1 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.
Vitesse Arnhem v PSV – Delayed airing on Premier Sports 2
The early table pits third against first. I have enjoyed catching Vitesse so far this season because of the way that Richedly Bazoer has played his role in defence and the way Oussama Tannne has linked up with the front two strikers in their new formation. However, Tannane is suspended for this one having lost his rag with the referee in the previous game. Consequently, this game becomes a lot more winnable for PSV, since Tannane really was the dangerman who would have been pinning PSV back into their own half with his dribbling. Roger Schmidt had a tactical nightmare in the second half of PSV’s Europa League defeat on Thursday, but I think he’ll be fine this time. 0-2 | Tip: Away win.
Sparta Rotterdam v Heracles Almelo
I’m sure that draws against AZ and Feyenoord would have given Sparta confidence, despite still being without a win this season and missing a couple of key players through injury. They are a team that work hard to get results; Henk Fraser is a good manager who will see this as an opportunity to frustrate Heracles and pinch a goal. 1-0 | Tip: Home win.
RKC Waalwijk v Feyenoord – Delayed airing on Premier Sports 2
RKC continue to find life in the Eredivisie difficult, but they have a little more going forward nowadays. Feyenoord may not win with aplomb, but they have enough in their ranks to win without trouble. 0-2 | Tip: Both teams to score – no, and Feyenoord win.
ADO Den Haag v AZ Alkmaar
What a crucial win and performance that was for AZ in Napoli! After a dodgy start to the season, you’d see that result as a turning point for the team – particularly the defence – and an opportunity to finally put three points on the board. 0-3 | Tip: AZ -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: 3/9 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
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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.
