Michael Statham offers his predictions and bet365 tips for week 21’s Eredivisie fixtures. This time, Michael is competing against Dutch football tipster Crypto. Will Feyenoord slip up at Twente this weekend? Can PSV keep pace with the top two with a win in Alkmaar?
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Here is the best of last weekend’s Eredivisie action plus the goals of the week! Make sure to like and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Friday 3rd February
ADO Den Haag v Vitesse
ADO have now lost eight of their last nine matches. Manager Zeljko Petrovic seems to be remaining positive though despite this abject form, and he will be pleased to have picked up some Eredivisie nous in the final days of the transfer window in the shape of Guyon Fernandez, Abel Tamata, Donny Gorter and Randy Wolters (plus Nasser El Khayati also came in).
They won’t bed in straight away, but should just be enough to help stave off relegation.
Vitesse also strengthened last month with players who know the club well already. The hope for them is they stop conceding soft goals in the final throes of the campaign.
Michael’s prediction: 1-2
Crypto’s prediction: AZ goalkeeper Rochet was the main reason with his mistake for Alkmaar’s defeat. Normally, it would be a draw. Den Haag lost to Ajax on the road, which was expected. For Friday’s game, it is hard to predict the winner. Seems like a draw game with goals. 1-1
Tip: BTTS (click the link or the bet365 banners to find out more…) *All tips this weekend provided by Crypto!*
Saturday 4th February
NEC v Go Ahead Eagles
NEC will look to forget the Feyenoord match as quickly as possible and try to remember the back-to-back wins that came before it.
Go Ahead were competitive in their match with Utrecht last time out, but despite having some promising new additions to the squad, they maybe don’t have enough to be better than NEC in Nijmegen.
Michael’s prediction: 2-1
Crypto’s prediction: NEC did not have the quality to grab something from Feyenoord. This game will be very hard and points are very important for Go Ahead Eagles. I’m expecting that they will score one goal at least. 2-2
Tip: BTTS
AZ v PSV
Recently, AZ have played poorly and ground out results, but in their last match with Vitesse the opposite happened.
They will need to be on their top attacking form yet remain pragmatic to beat PSV, who despite some decent recent results, have not been convincing.
I’ll back AZ’s inconsistency, and PSV’s fortune, to continue here.
Michael’s prediction: 1-2
Crypto’s prediction: PSV have not lost any game on the road even if they have struggled to win some games. Alkmaar have lost only one game at home. Both teams can score easily according to their offensive players. It seems this game is another draw for me. 2-2
Tip: Double Chance AZ
Willem II v Heracles
Willem II were far more attacking than usual against Sparta. Perhaps Erwin van de Looi sensed his side should match Sparta’s style, and it worked to edge the game.
I thought Heracles were pretty quiet in their game with PSV. Their visitors were there for the taking but couldn’t force the issue enough.
However, I reckon Heracles will improve slightly here to earn a draw.
Michael’s prediction: 1-1
Crypto’s prediction: This could be a boring game because both teams’ quality are nearly the same, but Willem II might take three points on Saturday. 1-0
Tip: Under 2.5 goals
Groningen v Excelsior
Unlike Crypto, I think Groningen will win this one comfortably. Excelsior are without Jurgen Mattheij due to suspension and are likely to be low on confidence after a drubbing at the hands of Roda.
Once one goes in, heads will drop.
Michael’s prediction: 2-0
Crypto’s prediction: Last week, Groningen grabbed a point from their derby game. Roda’s victory with four goals surprised me a lot. Odds are dropping down so fast, that is not normal. This game will not be as easy for the home team as odds say. 1-1
Tip: BTTS
Sunday 5th February
Roda JC v Ajax
Roda fans will be delighted with the four goals last weekend. They’ll need to be at defensive best though to keep out Ajax.
In the end, quality will tell.
Michael’s prediction: 1-3
Crypto’s prediction: Ajax will force to take the title from Feyenoord after winter break. Quality and experience are on Ajax’s side. Roda will play with a closed-minded play. It will be hard but Ajax will win. 0-2
Tip: -1.5 Handicap
Sparta v PEC Zwolle
I think Sparta can feel hard done by that they didn’t get a point from Tilburg last time out. They’ll put that behind them to play PEC, who themselves suffered a set-back from good form against Twente.
They may be a few goals shared here, I can’t see this one being boring.
Michael’s prediction: 2-2
Crypto’s prediction: Zwolle’s bad performance is the big surprise for this season. Also Sparta’s performance was not good in December. Both teams’ defensive lines are so weak and we may see many goals on Sunday in Rotterdam. 3-2
Tip: Over 2.5 goals
Twente v Feyenoord
The quality of Twente’s attacking midfielders told in the previous win over PEC. However, striker Enes Ünal only has three goals in his last 11 matches. Is this the match where he makes the headlines again?
A win here would be impressive for Feyenoord. Only three teams managed it in the whole of 2016.
Karim El Ahmadi should be back for the Rotterdammers on Sunday. He’s the type of midfield destroyer that the visitors will need to quell Twente’s attacking threat from midfield.
Feyenoord are looking very strong, but I’ll be ambitious and plump for a draw.
Michael’s prediction: 1-1
Crypto’s prediction: If Ajax win on Sunday, Feyenoord will feel the pressure surely. But Feyenoord’s performances have been outstanding. I do not think that they will make any mistake. 0-1
Tip: Under 3 goals
Utrecht v Heerenveen
Utrecht away will be a stern test for Heerenveen, particularly after a recent dip in performances.
Erik Ten Hag’s men looked flat themselves against Go Ahead, but that was understandable given they had three matches in six days. So I think they’ll be back with an energetic vengeance here, and earn victory.
I also don’t think the Frisians defence will be able to handle Sébastien Haller’s physicality nor Richairo Zivkovic’s pace in behind.
Michael’s prediction: 3-1
Crypto’s prediction: Before the winter break, Heerenveen’s performances were really good but 2017 has not started well for them. But I am not expecting an easy home win for this game. We may watch a goal-fest just same as the PSV vs Heerenveen game, if Heerenveen can score the first goal. I am expecting another draw here. 2-2
Tip: Over 3 goals
Accumulator for all nine winners from Michael with a £10 bet returns: £11,771.00
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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
Week 15: 4 results
Week 16: 5 results (versus writer Michael Bell)
Week 17: 2 results (versus writer James Rowe)
Week 18: 5 results (versus Aston Villa player Leandro Bacuna)
Week 19: 5 results
Week 20: 4 results, 1 correct score (versus Football Manager Head Researcher Jeroen Thijssen)