Michael Statham offers his predictions and bet365 tips for week 25’s Eredivisie fixtures. This weekend, Michael is taking on Dutch commentator Michiel Teeling, who is a very familiar voice in the Netherlands on Fox Sports’ coverage of the Eredivisie. Last weekend, Michael narrowly beat Michiel’s colleague Mark van Rijswijk. Michiel is commentating on Twente v Willem II (Saturday) and NEC v Heracles (Sunday).
- By Michael Statham
- Follow Michael on Twitter @EredivisieMike
- Follow Michiel on Twitter @michielteeling
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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 March
Heerenveen v Go Ahead Eagles
Despite being against ten-man Roda for a long time last weekend, Heerenveen did look a lot better going forward.
They’ll have a little more to think about here though defence-wise, as Go Ahead have picked up a bit of a threat recently, and you could see their qualities on the ball in their games with Vitesse and NEC. Daniel Crowley, on loan from Arsenal, is developping fantastically in that team.
I can’t see an upset here though, as the Frisians overwhelmed Go Ahead in the reverse fixture earlier this campagin, and I think something similar will be the case here.
Michael’s prediction: 3-1
Michiel’s prediction: I do not expect any surprises here. Heerenveen did not have any problems with Roda and I think they will beat Go Ahead. Although the Eagles are fighting to stay up, Heerenveen have just got too much quality. All three strikers in the Heerenveen squad are doing very well. 4-0
Tip: Over 2.5 goals. (click the link or the bet365 banners to find out more…)
Saturday 4th March
Twente v Willem II
Enes Ünal will be pleased to be back amongst the goals, even though his rather nonchalant reaction to his strike suggested otherwise.
Eight versus ninth seems a close battle, but there’s a six point gap between these two teams, and I’m still not buying into Willem II’s form. I think they’ve turned a corner this season, but in my opinion, they still don’t create enough in the final third and it’s almost as though they bore teams to death.
All that said, Jordy Croux is a fine young player for mid-table level, and some more magic from him could spur the Tilburgers onto another positive result. I still think Twente will have the edge at home, though.
Michael’s prediction: 2-1
Michiel’s prediction: Willem II are having a pretty decent season. Currently in 9th spot is quite a surprise if you realize last season they ended in the relegation play-offs. FC Twente doesn’t really have a goal, because of the suspension for European football, but are hard to beat in Enschede. 2-2
Tip: Unal to score at any time 6/5.
PSV v Roda JC
Roda will of course come here to shut up shop against a potentially hungover PSV, who will still be reeling from the season-ending defeat to Feyenoord.
PSV have not been as competitive in the title race this campaign largely due to their inconsistent home form, where they struggle to break down the smaller sides.
I think they will manage it here, though. Since the winter break, the defending champions have been better at putting their chances away.
Michael’s prediction: 3-0
Michiel’s prediction: After the excellent game last Sunday, PSV will have an easier game this weekend. Roda does have Anelka as an advisor but, it’s all about defending for them, and in the end PSV will score two or three. 3-0
Tip: van Ginkel to score at any time 6/5.
PEC Zwolle v Vitesse
I think this could be a decent game given the relatively good runs that both of these sides are on.
Ron Jans has steered the ship since Christmas at PEC after a rocky start, and even though Vitesse have been far from perfect, they have turned defeats and draws into more wins recently.
One thing to note about PEC’s recent results is that whilst they’ve beat sides like ADO, NEC and Sparta, they’ve picked up zero points from games with Twente, Ajax and Utrecht.
Michael’s prediction: 1-1
Michiel’s prediction: A very important match especially for the home team. They beat NEC in their last home match and that is where they will need to get the points; at home. Vitesse is having a good season and will play in the play-offs but I am expecting a win for PEC Zwolle in their quest to stay in the Eredivisie. 3-1
Tip: BTTS.
Sunday 5th March
AZ v Excelsior
AZ fans may be questioning the signing of John van den Brom’s contract extension given displays of late. It’s not been particularly entertaining nor tight defensively.
He needs until the end of the season to try and turn it around, but it’s concerning that the players don’t seem to be giving 100% for the manager.
It’s even more worrying for Excelsior, who now take their turn to sit at the bottom of the league. It’s a bad time for them to be having this bad run of form, and I feel they will be turned over by an attacking AZ outfit.
Michael’s prediction: 3-0
Michiel’s prediction: After the very disappointing loss at Olympique Lyon and the draw at home against PEC this will be a match for AZ to regain some confidence. Excelsior have not won a match in 2017 and lost last weekend against Willem II. Biggest problem for the team from Rotterdam is that they’re not playing that bad but still lose a lot of matches. 4-1
Sparta v Feyenoord
Winning away at NEC was huge for Sparta and manager Alex Pastoor, who I believe is the right man to take the Rotterdammers forward so long as he can help his team avoid the bottom three.
The derby with Feyenoord should be entertaining, but it’s the business end of the season now, and the big boys from across town do not look like slipping up here.
Michael’s prediction: 1-3
Michiel’s prediction: A classic match in Rotterdam on Sunday. Feyenoord played probably their best match of the season last Sunday and are of course the big favorites in this ‘Derby’. It won’t be easy though. 1-2
Tip: Over 2.5 goals.
Groningen v Ajax
Throwing away a two goal lead was a crime for Groningen. Such a shame as well, since Bryan Linssen seemed to be having his first great game in a long time, a player who, for me, should be performing a lot better.
Ajax will not slip up here, but they must remain focussed on getting the three points. Ajax v Feyenoord will be of monumental proportions on April 2nd.
Michael’s prediction: 0-2
Michiel’s prediction: Always a difficult match for Ajax in Groningen. Last season Ajax won (1-2) and this time I think they will win again. No midweek match for Ajax will help and perhaps we will see youngster Matthijs de Ligt in defense. The 17-year old defender played great against Heracles and with Viergever injured and Sanchez and Veltman suspended for the Europa League game against Copenhagen, De Ligt will get the chance to get more rhythm. 1-3
Tip: Ajax at HT and FT at 5/4.
Utrecht v ADO Den Haag
A home banker for Utrecht? Considering the home side have scored six in their last two fixtures and ADO only claimed their first point of 2017 last weekend.
Sébasiten Haller is also back amongst the goals. I don’t know how well a seemingly more organised ADO side can hold out in the Stadion Galgenwaard.
Michael’s prediction: 1-0
Michiel’s prediction: ADO Den Haag very much needs a win, but it won’t come at Utrecht. Erik ten Hag’s team is doing very well and playing very creatively. Utrecht is very hard to beat as they showed last weekend, when they came back from 2 goals down and won 2-3 in Groningen. ADO is better organized since Groenendijk took over from Petrovic, but lack quality. 3-1
NEC v Heracles
It’s five defeats on the bounce for NEC, who are definitely not safe from the drop just yet.
Whenever I’ve seen them, they’ve been very reserved and a miserable side to watch, which is not what I expected from a Peter Hyballa team.
I think Heracles look good for a top half finish this season, if not only because of Samuel Armenteros’s goals. New signing Kristoffer Peterson is linking up well with him too.
I’ll back the home side to grind out a point though.
Michael’s prediction: 1-1
Michiel’s prediction: You never know what to expect with Hyballa as manager, but NEC always surprises with their tactics. NEC have lost their last 5 matches in a row and their last win dates back to January 22nd when they beat Go Ahead. Heracles lost at Ajax, but played quite well in the first half. I think Heracles will win this match: 1-2
Tip: Under 2.5 goals.
Accumulator for all nine winners from Michael with a £10 bet returns: £1,205.40
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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)
Week 21: 4 results (versus Eredivisie tipster Crypto)
Week 22: 6 results, 2 correct scores (versus commentator Richard Connelly)
Week 23: 7 results, 2 correct scores
Week 24: 6 results, 1 correct score (versus commentator Mark van Rijswijk)
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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.
