Every week in the 2021/22 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
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Friday, 13th August

Go Ahead Eagles v Heerenveen

It’s great to have Eredivisie football back! For my thoughts on all the sides going into the new season, check out this podcast. I think Go Ahead will be good for an opening day result. Defensively they’ll want to reproduce what they enjoyed last season in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie. 1-1 | Tip: Go Ahead double chance.

Saturday, 14th August

RKC Waalwijk v AZ Alkmaar

I tip RKC to struggle without Fred Grim as manager. AZ have lost several key players from the spine of their squad, but they have warmed up for the new campaign in positive fashion. 1-2 | Tip: AZ +1.5 team goals.

Heracles Almelo v PSV

This settled Heracles team, who I think will be safe in mid-table, will be a good test for this exciting-looking PSV side. PSV look set to surprise this season. I think they’ll find the juggle of European football difficult with few attacking replacements – of similar quality to the starting eleven – in case of injury or suspension. 0-3 | Tip: PSV -1.5 Asian handicap.

Fortuna Sittard v FC Twente

Fortuna have some good attacking players, but I’m doubtful of them defensively at this moment of the transfer window – left-back George Cox has not had a full pre-season, and a new centre-back is still needed in my opinion. Twente have recruited very well, but it remains to be seen how quickly this new squad can gel together. 1-2 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

Ajax v NEC Nijmegen

Ajax suffered a stinging result in the JC Schaal – losing 0-4 to PSV. They are still my favourites for the Eredivisie this season, but it’ll get worse before it gets better, with several players yet to reach peak fitness for the new campaign. NEC will have an entertaining season, but it’ll be a tricky start. 3-0 | Tip: Ajax -1.5 Asian handicap.

Sunday, 15th August

Cambuur v FC Groningen

Groningen have a local rival back in the Eredivisie this season. Cambuur stormed the second tier last season, but we don’t know yet whether the goals will be as consistent this season without top scorer Robert Muhren. I think this’ll be a close one with few goals. 0-1 | Tip: Under 2.5 goals.

FC Utrecht v Sparta Rotterdam

The fans will be an important reintroduction for Utrecht, who will be aiming to push on into the top five this season. Their squad has barely changed, and neither has Sparta’s, now that Maduka Okoye has signed a new contract. Henk Fraser is now also an assistant manager to Louis van Gaal with the Netherlands, such is his quality as a coach. I think this will be another game with few goals as both sides ease their way into the new campaign. 1-1 | Tip: Under 3.5 goals.

PEC Zwolle v Vitesse Arnhem

I’m still waiting for PEC Zwolle to make some significant attacking signings in this transfer window. Luckily, they play Vitesse, who don’t seem quite ready yet for the new season. Perhaps this is a 0-1 or a 1-1 type of game. 1-1 | Tip: Under 2.5 goals.

Willem II v Feyenoord

I’m unsure yet how much better Willem II will be this season. Fred Grim is the new coach, but a few key players have left, and a few unknown quantities have joined. Feyenoord should have enough to win here; however, I think they’ll have many ups and downs throughout the season under new manager Arne Slot who’s overseeing a transformation at the club. 0-2 | Tip: Feyenoord win.

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Michael Statham (802 Posts)

Writer/interviewer/YouTuber for Football-Oranje. Massive Dutch football fan from the UK. Follow me @EredivisieMike & subscribe to Football-Oranje on YouTube.