This weekend is round 12 of the Eredivisie, so Michael Statham continues to give his preview and predictions for each game, along with tips offered through bet365. This weekend, in form sides Sparta and Heerenveen meet in Rotterdam and Ajax face a tough match in Alkmaar.

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Friday 28th October

           Sparta v Heerenveen

Both of these teams love quick, incisive attacks. This should a pleasant match to watch with plenty of chances created at either end.

On form: Zeneli

On form: Zeneli

Despite no Eredivisie win in five, Sparta are playing well and deserve their current top-half position, even though they sit only five points above Roda in eighteenth.

They could have won last weekend in the final minute, but Thomas Verhaar saw his penalty saved, as the usual penalty taker, Loris Brogno, looked on in despair.

Heerenveen once more proved their credibility with a fine performance away at league leaders Feyenoord last week.

Arber Zeneli scored his sixth of the campaign, he looks a player who has come on leaps and bounds since this time last season.

Michael’s prediction: 1-2

Tip: Over 2.5 goals at 8/13. (Click the bet365 banners to find out more…)

Saturday 5th November

          ADO Den Haag v Willem II

ADO have gone eight games now without an Eredivisie victory, whilst Willem II won their first game in eight last weekend.

This is another good opportunity for Den Haag to break their duck, but I don’t think they will. I reckon the Tilburgers will turn up and play a compact style, relying on individual magic to grab them a goal.

Zeljko Petrovic is quite an arrogant coach. I don’t think he’s changed much in his side’s poor run. Teams have probably figured ADO out by now and unless something is altered, the results won’t change either.

Michael’s prediction: 0-1

Tip: Under 2.5 goals at 9/10.

         PSV v Twente

PSV have got their title defence back on track after winning at Vitesse last weekend. They are now back to within five points of Feyenoord.

The game with Bayern in the Champions League was almost like a bonus match, given how PSV are already looking at third place along with Rostov. They were pretty resolute defensively, now it’s the attack that needs sharpening.

Twente might throw a surprise, but I don’t feel they have enough to overthrow PSV in Eindhoven. They should have beaten Roda last time out but were wasteful.

Michael’s prediction: 3-1

         NEC v Groningen

The bottom half of the Eredivisie is very congested. It’s easy to see why as well, since most sides have been drawing lots of games. For example, NEC have won twice in 11 league matches and Groningen have only won once in their last six in all competitions.

NEC have been solid but relatively unspectacular recently. They were awful in the first half against Utrecht last weekend, but their second half showing was much better.

Groningen have been showing similar inconsistency. In my opinion, offence is their main issue. They lack a cutting edge and players such as Albert Rusnák and Bryan Linssen have been largely disappointing.

Michael’s prediction: 1-1

         PEC Zwolle v Roda

Three wins and a draw from their last four matches in all competitions represents a marked improvement for PEC. Ron Jans was always likely to turn form around.

Now they have another winnable home game. Make no mistake, Roda have been very poor this season. One or two signs of recovery for their defence are only minor. They still lack any real threat up front.

I wonder if Roda’s board are interested in spending a bit of money this January to help rectify the situation, much like last season when they were in trouble.

Michael’s prediction: 2-0

Tip: PEC Zwolle -0.5, -1.0 Asian handicap at 1.925.

Sunday 6th November

         Utrecht v Excelsior

I think Utrecht will have too much here for Excelsior.

Their forwards are in form and were exciting to watch against NEC, yet they didn’t put the game to bed by half-time, consequently they dropped points.

They haven’t quite been the same side this season. It’s taken time for Richairo Zivkovic to settle in, plus several young players have had to make the step up now that key players from last season have moved on.

The visitors come into this one on the back of six successive defeats. I sense another loss here, although I do think they will turn things around fairly soon. Homes games against Sparta, AZ and NEC should give them some points before Christmas.

Michael’s prediction: 2-0

         Vitesse v Heracles

wolfswink

Rejuvenated: van Wolfswinkel

Vitesse have only won thrice at home all year, but have games in Arhem against Heracles, Excelsior and PEC Zwolle to come before Christmas.

Heracles were good at home to Sparta last time out, but they were poor away at Heerenveen the week before. They simply don’t get on the ball enough away from Almelo to create chances.

That’s why I think Vitesse will find this quite comfortable. They have forward players beginning to rediscover their touch and they also have the current top scoring Dutch striker in Ricky van Wolfswinkel.

Michael’s prediction: 2-0

Tip: Van Wolfswinkel is evens to net at anytime.

         AZ v Ajax

AZ were off the boil in previous weeks, but look to have recovered following three clean sheets in a row and two wins to boot.

They should have won in the Europa League on Thursday evening, but it was simply not their night.

The return of Ron Vlaar has certainly helped, just as much as Robert Muhren’s goals.

ajax-celta-dolberg

Potential: Dolberg has been outstanding of late.

Ajax are playing very well at the moment though, so I think AZ will find it extremely difficult to beat the team currently sitting in second place.

Peter Bosz’s men were strutting their stuff against Celta on Thursday, demonstrating the vast improvement they’ve made since the start of the campaign.

Kasper Dolberg for me has been the pick of the bunch. He has strength, decent pace and a great shot on him, adding to his deft touch and threat in the air, making him the complete forward. He has so much potential as well.

That said, they had a major lapse in concentration towards the end of the match, thus again highlighting Ajax’s concern at the other end of the pitch.

Michael’s prediction: 1-2

Tip: Ajax to win and both teams to score at 13/5.

         Go Ahead Eagles v Feyenoord

Go Ahead have nothing to lose in this game. Feyenoord are expected to win here, but the small hope that the hosts have is that the league leaders have now not won any of their last three games, also first choice goalkeeper Brad Jones is out injured.

Realistically, I don’t think Feyenoord should have any major problems here. They have too much quality.

Michael’s prediction: 0-2

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How have I done so far?

Week 1: 4 results

Week 2: 3 results, 1 correct score

Week 3: 4 results, 1 correct score

Week 4: 6 results, 1 correct score

Week 5: 6 results, 2 correct scores

Week 6: 4 results, 2 correct scores

Week 7: 3 results

Week 8:  7 results, 3 correct scores

Week 9: 4 results, 1 correct score

Week 10: 5 results, 2 correct scores

Week 11: 3 results




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.