Michael Statham offers his predictions and bet365 tips for this weekend’s games. Last weekend saw the league average almost four goals a game, and this match-week also holds plenty of excitement; joint league leaders Ajax meet Groningen whilst Feyenoord are looking forward to a Rotterdam derby with Sparta.
- By Michael Statham
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Friday 2nd December
Heracles v NEC
Heracles tried to gamble a little at AZ last week, but were up against far superior opposition, as van den Brom’s men opened up the Almeloërs at will.
Grot stole the show against Twente
It’s different to their usual away performances, when they play a lot more conserved. Obviously this weekend they are at home though, where they have not kept a clean sheet this season so far.
NEC bagged three at home to Twente last time out, Jay-Roy Grot stealing the limelight away from fellow youth-team player Ferdi Kadioglu. They’re both offering optimism to NEC’s average looking campaign, wherein lots of summer arrivals have begun to gel but not performed consistently.
Heracles have looked brighter of late, despite shipping a few too many goals. I think they’ll win for the third time in four games.
Michael’s prediction: 2-1
Tip: Over 2.5 goals at 4/5. (click the bet365 banners to find out more…)
Saturday 3rd December
Go Ahead Eagles v Heerenveen
The games are coming thick and fast for Go Ahead but they’re not picking up enough points along the way. Luckily the table is really tight at the moment as losing at home to Willem II was a huge hit.
I think sides around the Eagles will begin to pick up points sooner rather than later, leaving Go Ahead to face a bottom three finish. Let’s see if they can get a couple of decent players in January who can bolster the midfield area or add that extra bit of edge in attack.
Heerenveen matched Ajax well last weekend but have now gone four without a win. I think their attacking players will be a little off the boil again here.
Michael’s prediction: 1-1
Excelsior v AZ
Excelsior couldn’t hold on to their lead at Vitesse which would have put them on the cusp of the top half – such is the current nature of the Eredivisie.
I think they have enough to avoid the bottom three this season. Originally I wasn’t so confident but Mitchell van der Gaag has continued to develop the club and add some impressive players for the calibre of the tiny Rotterdam side.
They’re facing a resurgent AZ side this weekend though, who are back amongst the goals after some testing weeks. Excelsior will have lots to think about with Weghorst and Muhren on form.
Michael’s prediction: 0-2
Roda JC v PSV
Although Roda threw away a two goal lead at Sparta, there was some improvement on show as well.
PSV will have enjoyed a confidence boosting win over ADO. They played well, scored a penalty and Luuk De Jong finally netted once again.
Roda have only scored eight goals after fourteen games, they’ll struggle to find a way past the Eredivisie’s tightest defence.
Michael’s prediction: 0-3
Vitesse v PEC Zwolle
Fraser could soon be facing the sack
Vitesse have only won thrice at home all year. The quality is simply not improving and isn’t enough to break some teams down.
What’s more, defensive concentration lapses have lead to points being gifted away in final moments of games. Hence it’s understandable why the pressure is currently on Henk Fraser’s position.
PEC themselves conceded too easily in their last game. They were punished on the counter after missing several chances.
It’s clearly quite hard to say which team will perform on the day, but with the heat on Fraser to get more wins, I fear more lost points for the Arnhem side and an abrupt end to Fraser’s tenure.
Michael’s prediction: 1-2
Sunday 4th December
ADO Den Haag v Utrecht
One win in eleven matches is a poor return for ADO. Their next three games are against Utrecht, NEC and Sparta, where they must pick up points to avoid the wrong end of the table.
Zeljko Petrovic snapped at a journalist in his last interview. Perhaps the awful run of results is affecting him too, but he must continue to give his team confidence.
Utrecht on the other hand are full of belief after some good performances, in particular from Sofyan Amrabat. The 20-year-old impressed in the draw with Feyenoord and looks to have the essential qualities to become a powerful, pacy yet technical midfielder.
Sébastien Haller also decided to play well against Feyenoord. As I said last week, he loves the big games. Can he transfer it to these kinds of games too?
ADO may get something out of this, but on recent displays, Utrecht should have the edge to win the game.
Michael’s prediction: 1-2
Tip: Haller is 6/5 to score at anytime.
Feyenoord v Sparta
Last weekend wasn’t the first time Feyenoord put in an average performance away from home but still clawed back points in injury time. It’s what champions do, but I can’t see the league leaders getting away with it much more often than they have already.
The raucous derby atmosphere suits Feyenoord’s style of play, and Sparta will have no chance in De Kuip. How the Rotterdam sides have missed each other in recent seasons.
Michael’s prediction: 2-0
Tip: Get Kuyt to score at anytime at 20/21.
Willem II v Twente
It’s crazy to think that a win for the home side here would put Willem II within three points of their opponents this weekend – and they have definitely experienced contrasting seasons.
Twente’s attacking players are likely to be nullified here against a compact Willem II.
Michael’s prediction: 1-1
Ajax v Groningen
Groningen impressed in their 0-4 win at PEC
Ajax battled to another victory at then-fourth placed Heerenveen to make it 18 unbeaten in all competitions.
I predicted Ajax to win the league in August, and whilst I initially had egg on my face, the team has really come on since the humiliating, early Champions League exit.
However, there is a long way to go in the season.
Interestingly, Groningen were very dangerous on the counter-attack last weekend. I wonder whether they can replicate that kind of performance here. That style of play seems to suit their attacking players and their defensive players revelled well in the compact solidity to quell the opposing threat of Zwolle.
Michael’s prediction: 2-2
Tip: Groningen are 12/1 to win.
Accumulator for all nine winners with a £10 bet returns: £8211.70
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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
Week 14: 6 results
Follow
Writer/interviewer/YouTuber for Football-Oranje. Massive Dutch football fan from the UK. Follow me @EredivisieMike & subscribe to Football-Oranje on YouTube.
