Every week in the 2017/18 season, Football-Oranje writer Michael Statham offers you his predictions for each Eredivisie round, accompanied by his betting tips. Michael competes against a different special guest each week. This time, it’s fellow Football-Oranje writer James Rowe, who predicts the scores for this special midweek round of the Eredivisie.

  • by Michael Statham
  • Follow Michael on Twitter @EredivisieMike
  • Follow James on Twitter @JamesRoweNL

Tuesday 6th February

PEC Zwolle v Heerenveen

Michael’s prediction: After having one of the best defences in the league, PEC have conceded ten goals in their last three matches in all competitions.

They’ll hope that returning players and the chance to play at home will see a turnaround in form. Heerenveen will threaten on the break, particularly through the likes of Arber Zeneli on the wing.

Despite this game usually having the potential to contain plenty of goals, I think on a Tuesday evening it could be a cold, lowing scoring affair. 1-1

James’s prediction: Heerenveen are on form with 7 points from 9 since the winter break. Manager Jurgen Streppel stated that they were unlucky to lose the reverse fixtures earlier this season. PEC Zwolle have been playing great football this season but I feel they will be rocked by the manner of their 4-0 defeat in Eindhoven last weekend. 2-2

Tip: Both teams to score.

Wednesday 7th February

Twente v AZ

Michael’s prediction: Twente were a little unfortunate not to grab a point at Heerenveen on Saturday. I thought their attack linked up well and matched mid-table Heerenveen in terms of threat. I’m surprised they didn’t score. In the end, Fredrik Jensen’s frustration as he demanded the ball for each attacking move in the final 10 minutes summed up his side’s misfortune – Jensen skied three shots into the stands from distance as the clock ran down.

AZ meanwhile opened the gap to seven points above the teams directly below them. Except they won’t be pleased with the way they let relegation-threatened Roda walk away with a point on Sunday. Their first-half performance alone should have seen them ease to victory.

Because of AZ’s below par second-half showing, I will predict a draw here. Twente will prove a point in Enschede that they will not be drawn into the relegation battle for much longer. 1-1

James’s prediction: After the defeat at Heerenveen, Twente manager Gertjan Verbeek stated that Twente were fighting for their lives. I believe that they will pick up a point at home to AZ Alkmaar. Since the winter break AZ have drawn in Utrecht and won in Tilburg and although they are in decent form I believe that they will have their work cut out in Enchede. 1-1

Tip: Both teams to score.

Utrecht v Sparta 

Michael’s prediction: Utrecht are without a victory in their last five, but will return to winning ways here against Sparta.

The visitors are fighting for their lives at the bottom of the table, but their defence is not strong enough to deal with the movement of the Utrecht strikers and the tricky Zakaria Labyad. 3-1

James’s prediction: Both teams are struggling for form and Utrecht have been the draw specialists of late. I believe that home advantage will see them across the line. Sparta Rotterdam will take confidence from a timely boost winning at home to Willem II last weekend. 2-1

Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

PSV v Excelsior

Michael’s prediction: PSV have won their last 21 home fixtures in the league. It would take a superhuman effort from Excelsior here to stop that. The league leaders just have too much movement and pace on the flanks to weave their way through the visitors.

Interestingly, Excelsior have managed to score in every away game since February. I’m predicting an end to that run here, but there may be a threat to deal with on the counter-attack. 3-0

James’s prediction: I think that this game will be a lot closer than many people think. Although PSV Eindhoven are in great form, so are Excelsior Rotterdam too picking up points v Twente & Utrecht in recent games. PSV Eindhoven equalled their own record of 21 consecutive home wins last weekend against PEC Zwolle. The carrot will be there for them to break their record against Excelsior. 2-1

Tip: PSV -1.5 Asian handicap.

Willem II v VVV-Venlo

Michael’s prediction: Willem II are winless in seven whilst VVV have won four (including their latest one against Feyenoord) and drawn one in their last five. The form book screams an away win. However, I will back the opposite on this occasion.

The cup semi-finalists are a decent side at home and will put VVV under a lot of pressure. You can’t rule out a result for the home side when they play both Ogbeche and Sol in attack. I think it’ll be the welcome win they need to gain distance to the bottom three. 2-1

James’s prediction: With the news that current Willem II manager Erwin van de Looi will leave the club at the end of the season, Willem II have lost 4 our their last 5 matches. VVV-Venlo picked up an impressive win v NAC Breda in their last Eredivisie away game and they surprised many by beating the reigning champions Feyenoord at home last weekend. I tip them to surprise away from home with a win in Tilburg. 1-3

Tip: Both teams to score

NAC Breda v Heracles

Michael’s prediction: I feel that NAC are in massive trouble. I don’t think they are good enough in key areas of the pitch. In attack, they need more support to lone striker Thierry Ambrose, who chases far too may loose balls, stranded. Their goalkeeping options are not competent for Eredivisie level either. Finally, their midfield does not offer enough protection to the back four.

Their home support is terrific and for the good of the Dutch league I hope they can stay up. A key game then against mid-table Heracles. It’s so hard to predict which way this’ll go, however I’ll back NAC to pick up at least a point in front of a vociferous home crowd. 1-1

James’s prediction: I was at the Ajax v NAC Breda match last weekend. NAC Breda started the match full of pace and endeavor but that filtered out as the match went on. Heracles Almelo picked up a point at home to ADO Den Haag last weekend. I am tipping NAC Breda to make full use of home advantage and secure a much needed victory Heracles Almelo at home. 1-0

Tip: Both teams to score.

Roda JC v Ajax

Michael’s prediction: Roda carved out numerous opportunities in their game at AZ on Sunday. Whether that was because of how open the hosts were, is another question.

AZ still created chance after chance against Roda. Ajax are a similarly quick side, full of quality attackers who are arguably more ruthless in front of goal. For that reason, I’m choosing an easy Ajax win. 0-3

James’s prediction: Ajax secured a sluggish victory at home to NAC Breda where at times they were very sloppy in possession but they managed to get over the line. Roda JC will take heart from picking up an unexpected point in Alkmaar last weekend but I just feel that Ajax will be too strong for them in Kerkrade. 1-3

Tip: Ajax -1.5 Asian handicap.

Thursday 8th February

ADO Den Haag v Vitesse

Michael’s prediction: Another difficult game to predict – ADO have only one defeat in their last six at home whilst Vitesse have collected ten points out of a possible twelve.

I reckon Vitesse’s big centre-backs will deal with ADO’s tall striker Bjorn Johnsen but their young full-backs will find the pace of Sheraldo Becker and Elson Hooi hard to quell.

ADO should look to sit deep and counter Vitesse to get the best of their players. Nevertheless, I think Vitesse’s ‘magic’ player Mason Mount will be a match-winner once again. His importance is growing. 1-2

James’s prediction: I think this will be a surprise home win for ADO Den Haag. They have only lost 2 of their last 6 matches and they are normally difficult to beat at home. Vitesse Arnhem are on a run of 3 wins in their last 4 matches but I just have a sneaky suspicion that ADO Den Haag will win this match. 2-1

Tip: Both teams to score.

Feyenoord v Groningen

Michael’s prediction: Feyenoord’s problems have been well-documented this campaign but I did not expect them to fall to defeat in Venlo on Sunday.

Clearly, the issues are not fixable. Gio van Bronckhorst needs to look at his performance this season too, transfers and injuries are not the only factors in the player selections. Key senior players have returned but benched in favour of the younger players who have been their replacements. Now is the time to bring the likes of Haps, Botteghin and Boetius back into the team before the top three becomes unreachable. 2-0

James’s prediction: Groningen have announced that current manager Ernest Faber will leave they club at the end of the season. They suffered a bad defeat in Arnhem last time out and they are struggling for form in the Eredivisie. I believe that this will be a routine home win for Feyenoord and they will need to show their fans a reaction after a surprise defeat in Venlo last weekend. 3-1

Tip: Feyenoord home win.

Agree/disagree with our predictions and betting tips? Did we win/lose you a fortune? Tweet us!

How have Michael & Crypto done so far?

[Crypto’s running success from weeks 1 to 14 – Hit Rate: 60% & Average Odds: 1.70]

Week 1: Michael: 3 results // Crypto: 5W – 3L – 1V (versus PSV-watcher and journalist Rik Elfrink)

Week 2: Michael: 7 results, 2 correct scores // Crypto: 6W – 1L – 2V (versus commentator Paul Thomas Clay)

Week 3: Michael: 6 results, 1 correct score // Crypto: 5W – 2L – 2V (versus [Ajax Daily] writer Alex Moretto)

Week 4: Michael: 4 results, 1 correct score // Crypto: 6W – 2L – 1V (versus Sky journalist Joshua Hayward)

Week 5: Michael: 2 results, 1 correct score // Crypto: 5W – 4L – 0V (versus commentator Richard Connelly)

Week 6: Michael: 1 result // Crypto: 4W – 5L – 0V (versus Football Manager researcher Jeroen Thijssen)

Week 7: Michael: 5 results // Crypto: 6W – 3L – 0V (versus Ajax Daily’s Bradley Dobson)

Week 8: Michael: 3 results, 1 correct score // Crypto: 5W – 2L – 2V (versus journalist Sjors van Veen)

Week 9: Michael: 2 results // Crypto: 4W – 4L – 1V (versus engels-voetbal’s Ferdi Delies)

Week 10: Michael: 4 results, 2 correct scores // Crypto: 3W – 6L – 0V (versus Sheffield Wednesday defender Joost van Aken)

Week 11: Michael: 3 results // Crypto: N/A (versus Football-Oranje editor Michael Bell)

Week 12: Michael: 3 results // Crypto: 7W – 1L – 1V (versus Opta Sports’ Bart Frouws)

Week 13: Michael: 7 results, 3 correct scores // Crypto: 6W – 3L – 0V (versus Football-Oranje writer James Rowe)

Week 14: Michael: 4 results // Crypto: 4W – 4L – 1V (versus Football-Oranje editor Michael Bell)

Week 15: Michael: 3 results // Crypto: N/A (versus Ajax Daily’s Bradley Dobson)

Week 16: Michael: 3 results // Crypto: N/A (versus Dutch football writer Alex Dieker)

Week 17: Michael: 5 results // Crypto: N/A (versus [Ajax Daily] writer Alex Moretto)

Week 18: Michael: 4 results, 2 correct scores (versus Piłka w Holandii writer Adam Sankowski)

Week 19: Michael: 3 results (versus Bristol City Women defender Danique Kerkdijk)

Week 20: Michael: 3 results (versus FC Groningen clubwatcher Merijn Slagter)

Week 21: Michael: 4 results (versus Total 14 Football Academy director Craig Hellier)




Michael Statham (803 Posts)

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