Every week in the 2017/18 season, Football-Oranje writer Michael Statham offers you his predictions for each Eredivisie round, accompanied by betting tips from Betsmobil’s Dutch football tipster Crypto. Michael competes against a different special guest each week. This time, it’s Norwegian commentator Paul Thomas Clay, who commentates on the Eredivisie, amongst other competitions such as the Champions League, for Viasat.
- By Michael Statham
- Follow Michael on Twitter @EredivisieMike
- Follow Crypto on Twitter @FcCrypto
- Follow Paul on Twitter @ptclay
Friday 18th August
Roda JC v Vitesse
Michael’s prediction: Simon Gustafson, on loan from Feyenoord, impressed me last week. He’s the player Roda missed last season, and I think his creativity can be relied upon to get enough wins for Roda to avoid relegation.
I think Roda will have a tough time here though. Vitesse are fit ahead of their Europa League campaign and had all guns blazing at home to NAC last weekend. The likes of Milot Rashica and Bryan Linssen are exciting players for fans from Anhem to enjoy in their new attacking system. 1-3
PT’s prediction: Both teams performed as expected on matchday 1. Roda confirmed that leaks at the back will continue this season, and Vitesse stated their intentions of being a side fighting for the top positions. 0-3
Crypto tip: Draw no bet Vitesse
Saturday 19th August
Twente v VVV-Venlo
Michael’s prediction: I was pleasantly surprised by Twente’s performance away at Feyenoord. They showed more quality than I saw in pre-season and looked more dangerous from set-pieces and their wing play.
This sets up a nice game then against VVV, who comfortably beat Sparta last week, a sign to back my opinion that they will be more than safe this campaign. History is not on their side though, as VVV have never won in Enschede after 15 attempts.
My fellow writer James Rowe met VVV manager Maurice Steijn this week and Steijn revealed that he would play the same way against Twente. That may open a few spaces in behind which Twente can exploit and begin to gain much needed confidence. 3-1
PT’s prediction: Twente caused some problems for the reigning champions on the opening day, but as expected left Rotterdam with 0 points. The home side needs to take points off their predicted bottom half strugglers, but VVV will be full of confidence after three goals and a clean sheet against Sparta. 1-1
Crypto tip: Venlo +1.5 handicap
AZ v ADO Den Haag
Michael’s prediction: AZ are another team who have improved drastically since pre-season and took part in an immensely entertaining game against PSV. They lost 3-2, great in attack but mistakes in defence.
Wonderkid Calvin Stengs is out for the season, however AZ have more where that came from. Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Dabney dos Santos look set for good campaigns, starting this weekend versus a limp-looking ADO. 3-0
PT’s prediction: Both clubs lost their opening games, but AZ looks in much better shape than their visitors. Better players is one thing, and there are positives to take from challenging PSV and scoring two goals at Phillips Stadium. 2-0
Crypto tip: AZ -1 Asian handicap
Michael’s prediction: I think this will be a game full of goals. Heerenveen still haven’t solved their defensive tactics, which cost them a two goal lead late on versus Groningen, but the likes of Zeneli, Reza, Odegaard plus new signings Dumfries and Woudenberg looked great offensively.
I’ve already tipped Heracles to have a fine season because of players such as Brandley Kuwas and Samuel Armenteros. The win over Ajax only strengthens that opinion – they played well.
Heracles will go for the win here, so will Heerenveen. I’ll back Kuwas to come with the goods again in an open game. Heerenveen are always a favourite for over 2.5 goals! 2-3
PT’s prediction: I really liked what I saw of Heerenveen in the opening half of last week’s derby. After an abysmal second half to last season it seems as though the fight is back into the team. I have a soft spot for Heracles though, and the good result against Ajax on home soil was a perfect start to the season. 2-2
Crypto tip: Over 2.5 goals
Sunday 20th August
Excelsior v Feyenoord
Michael’s prediction: This game was one of Excelsior’s finest results in their history last season. Delaying Feyenoord’s title celebrations with a 3-0 victory made possibly one of the most awkward footballing situations to date.
The away win at Willem II will probably be the beginning of a barren spell away from home, as Excelsior will still struggle this season, largely due to their slim budget.
I was pleased by Feyenoord’s strong start to the season. It wasn’t entirely convincing but the champions won and the result was the most important thing. Although after last time versus Excelsior, I don’t know how confident I can be after the last time I predicted a comfortable Feyenoord win! 0-2
PT’s prediction: A somewhat unexpected three pointer for Exclesior in Tilburg last week, but even with the confidence from that I don’t think they stand a chance in their first home game of the season. The gap in quality between the two sides is to big to make me think that any other result than a clear victory for Feyenoord is possible. 1-4
Crypto tip: Feyenoord -1 Asian handicap
Ajax v Groningen
Michael’s prediction: If the Rosenborg game doesn’t take too much out of Ajax, considering players’ fitness at the beginning of the season, then they should dispatch of Groningen quite comfortably. Perhaps only Mimoun Mahi, once linked with Ajax, has the skills to threaten the Ajax backline, which arguably looked vulnerable against Heracles without Davinson Sánchez.
There’s a small chance the visitors could surprise, but Ajax will win by a small margin. I’m not too concerned by the four match winless streak that Ajax are currently having. Against Rosenborg, I would blame motivation. The players wanted Champions League football but must realise that they have a huge fight on their hands to reach the Europa League. Keizer will demand a reaction. 2-1
PT’s prediction: What a week Ajax have had… Can they bounce back with two victories after two losses? I think so. They looked like still being in pre-season mode both against Heracles and Rosenborg, but I think they’ll snap out of it and start winning. Groningen had a good second half against Heerenveen and might cause the Amsterdammers some problems, but not enough to take any points. 2-0
Crypto tip: Both teams to score – yes
Utrecht v Willem II
Michael’s prediction: What a marvellous win for Utrecht against Zenit! Erik Ten Hag once again weaved his magic – I speak more about him and his managerial skills in this week’s podcast (listen here).
Willem II will look to exploit any early season tiredness in Utrecht legs, but they were pretty poor at home to Excelsior when I had fairly high hopes for the Tilburgers this season. Maybe it will be a longer season than I predicted.
Dessers is on fire at the moment. I’d back him to score again. 2-1
PT’s prediction: What is Erik ten Hag made of? Impressive results, even after losing key players. Before the season I was hesitant mentioning Utrecht among the teams battling for a podium finish, but I think ten Hag will prove me wrong. Willem II doesn’t posses enough quality throughout the squad to challenge for the points in this one. 3-1
Crypto tip: Under 3 goals
NAC Breda v PSV
Michael’s prediction: This is a big chance for NAC to use all the crowd energy in their first home game since their return to the Eredivisie.
However, I’m backing Hirving Lozano to play a big part for PSV again, like last week. Against AZ the Mexican had enough chances to net a hat-trick but was a little wasteful and had to settle for just the solitary strike.
I think it’ll be a competitive game, though. 1-2
PT’s prediction: Breda losing to favorites Vitesse at the Gelredome didn’t raise any eyebrows, but at home I think they could make life difficult for Cocu and his men. PSV’s decline in the last year is a conundrum to me, and I feel that this game could be telling for which direction the season takes for them. A win puts them on the right track, anything else will cause a lot of negative attention (which again will influence results). 1-1
Crypto tip: PSV to score over two (Asian)
Sparta v PEC Zwolle
Michael’s prediction: Alex Pastoor has an almighty task to keep Sparta afloat in the Eredivisie this season. They lack quality and fight to lead them away from trouble. Home games like this one against PEC must be won, and if they lose, you must begin to worry already for the rotterdammers. Dating back to November, Sparta have lost 15 of their last 23 league matches.
The visitors carry more quality but are far from perfect. A decent side, who for me will pick up at least a point here. 1-1
PT’s prediction: Sparta is expected to be one of the strugglers this season, and losing 3-0 to newcomers VVV is proof of that. PEC impressed with scoring four goals on opening day, and will look to continue their goalscoring in Rotterdam. 1-2
Crypto tip: PEC to score over one (Asian)
Agree/disagree with our predictions and betting tips? Did we win/lose you a fortune? Tweet us!
How have Michael & Crypto done so far?
Week 1: 3 results & 5 W – 3 L – 1 V, Hit rate: 55.56%, Average odds: 1.69 (versus PSV-watcher and journalist Rik Elfrink)
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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.
