Michael Statham offers his predictions and bet365 tips for this weekend’s games. In the Eredivisie this weekend there are difficult trips for both Ajax and Feyenoord whilst seventeenth plays sixteenth in a battle at the bottom of the table.
- By Michael Statham
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Friday 25th November
Go Ahead Eagles v Willem II
Go Ahead were dangerous on the counter-attack against Heracles. They were undone by some individual brilliance, to prevent the Eagles building on their win over Feyenoord.
I think they’ll be able to handle Willem II’s threat in attack if they can contain the opposition and hit them on the break.
Go Ahead have struggled with clean sheets this season, but all three they’ve claimed up to now have come at home.
However, Willem II may also play cautiously and will be content with a draw away from home.
Michael’s prediction: 0-0
Tip: Go Ahead +0.5 Asian handicap at 1.475. (click the bet365 banners to find out more…)
Saturday 26th November
Vitesse v Excelsior
The last four times Vitesse have had the lead in a league game, they’ve gone on to drop points.
They have lacked maturity defensively to see out games, which is something they sorely need if they are not going to score a second or third goal which would finish the opponent.
Excelsior manager Mitchell van der Gaag said that their 3-2 derby win would give his team confidence. Those three points were very important.
I’ll back Vitesse to bag a needed victory.
Michael’s prediction: 2-0
PEC Zwolle v Groningen
Both sides here have identical win-draw-loss records.
What Groningen lack is consistency. Only one outfield player, Hans Hateboer, has featured in every match this season. An unchanged side may lead to more of the kind of football we saw against ADO. It was a much better display from Ernest Faber’s men.
I have a feeling the away side may take all three points.
Michael’s prediction: 1-2
Tip: Draw or Groningen at 7/10.
PSV v ADO Den Haag
Disappointing: PSV
This game is highly winnable for PSV, but I’ve suggested that a few times unsuccesfully this season.
ADO, who had a strong start to the season, have fallen away a lot since August. They have lost their qualities which made them a strong Eredivisie outfit.
PSV should have no problem, or will they?
Michael’s prediction: 1-0
NEC v Twente
NEC gave up after conceding the second goal away to Ajax last weekend. Ultimately it was 5-0 but it could have been a lot worse.
In Twente’s last fixture, they failed to see off ten man Utrecht but took part in an entertaining game. Their development through the season could be something to watch as all the young players in the team get better with games.
NEC will be desperate to get something from this game.
Michael’s prediction: 1-1
Sunday 27th November
Sparta v Roda JC
Top-half: Sparta
Sparta weren’t consistent for the entire 90 minutes in their last match with Excelsior. They had momentary lapses in defence and were made to pay. Either side of conceding the three goals, they played like their form suggested they would.
This week they come up against Roda who are now five unbeaten. I think they’ll try and do a similar job to previous matches and attempt to frustrate Sparta, who are used to being the underdog in games.
Michael’s prediction: 1-1
AZ v Heracles
Ron Vlaar personified his side’s performance against Roda last weekend. It was all a bit lax, and he switched off at the wrong moment to gift a goal.
However, it was a much better display in the Europa League on Thursday. Van den Brom will need to freshen a few legs before Sunday but it looks more promising already for AZ.
Meanwhile it’s back to back wins for Heracles. Samuel Armenteros played like a man possessed to bag both goals for the Almeloërs and grab the game with Go Ahead by the scruff of the neck.
Both sides could come into this with a bit of confidence. Then I’d back AZ, as man for man they are the better side.
Michael’s prediction: 2-1
Tip: Over 2.5 goals at 8/13.
Heerenveen v Ajax
No doubt this is a challenging away match for Ajax. What will have helped them is that Peter Bosz rested his best players on Thursday.
Heerenveen have laboured rather unsuccessfully in their last couple of games. It would create an exciting spectacle if they can step up their game again for this match.
I can’t look past Ajax, as I think they have far too many attackers who are on form.
Fans will be delighted with the long term committment from Kasper Dolberg, who is becoming a fascinating player to watch for his relatively young age.
Michael’s prediction: 1-2
Utrecht v Feyenoord
More to offer: Haller
Utrecht weren’t playing too shabbily considering they had ten men for the majority of their draw with Twente.
I still feel as though Sébastien Haller can play a lot better. For me, he looks too lazy on the pitch, think Dimitar Berbatov. However, I should also mention how in the previous international break, Haller bagged a hattrick for France’s under 21s.
Haller is without doubt still Utrecht’s key player, and I think he’ll step it up for the visit of Feyenoord, who are missing some key defensive minded players.
I think that, mixed with an indifferent display in the Europa League, will see the league leaders drop a couple of points.
Michael’s prediction: 1-1
Tip: Haller to score at anytime at 7/5.
Accumulator for all nine winners with a £10 bet returns: £21448.90
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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
Week 12: 2 results, 1 correct score
Week 13: 4 results
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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.
Did you just quoted Erwin van de Looi as Groningen coach?
In which reality are you guys?
Come on, I love your job. You are better than that!
I did I’m afraid! Sorry about that, it has now been corrected.
Michael.