Michael Statham offers his predictions and bet365 tips for week 26’s Eredivisie fixtures. This weekend, Michael is taking on Football-Oranje editor and founder Michael Bell. Both Michaels will be predicting some tough fixtures this weekend, including big games between Ajax and Twente plus Feyenoord and AZ.

  • By Michael Statham
  • Follow Michael on Twitter @EredivisieMike
  • Follow his opponent Michael on Twitter @MichaelJBell09

Eredivisie predictions logo

Watch all Eredivisie games live, for free, by clicking the bet365 banner below to make an account…

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 10th March

          Vitesse v Sparta

Vitesse recently beat Sparta in a reverse fixture in the cup, but on their return to league action were woeful against PEC Zwolle.

With Sparta also beating league leaders Feyenoord, it’s very tricky to predict which way both teams will go in this match.

I can see a few goals in this one seeing as Sparta will be full of confidence from their last success, but it may open them up a little bit.

Michael’s prediction: 2-2

Michael Bell’s prediction: Vitesse have lost their last two home matches and they will be coming up against a Sparta side on the back of that great win over Feyenoord last weekend. The Rotterdammers will also be keen to avenge the KNVB Cup semi-final defeat last week. However, I think Vitesse will just nick a win in Arnhem to get their bid for a top six place back on track. 1-0

Tip: BTTS at 3/4. (click the link or the bet365 banners to find out more…)

Saturday 11th March

           ADO Den Haag v NEC

Back-to-back draws and a narrow defeat to Feyenoord have shown a mini revival for ADO and new manager Alfons Groenendijk, even though they don’t have a desireable amount of points to show for it.

This game is a little easier than their previous fixtures, and NEC only beat Heracles last time out because their opponents played as though the whole team was on a stag do style hangover.

This might be ADO’s time to shine.

Michael’s prediction: 2-1

Michael Bell’s prediction: ADO Den Haag really need to start getting some wins if they are going to avoid the drop and the game on Saturday is a perfect chance to get three points. ADO were unlucky not to beat Utrecht last weekend due to some strange refereeing but their attack is starting to look more dangerous with Guyon Fernandez. NEC are a horrible team to try and predict. They will lose to Willem II one week then hammer Heracles the next. I think this one will be a big home win. 2-1

           Heracles v Utrecht

As I mentioned, the Almelo side have much to prove this weekend as they were terrible in their loss to NEC. Utrecht weren’t at their best either as they drew with struggling ADO.

I can see an improvement from both teams but ultimately Utrecht have something still to play for this campaign as they will really fancy a push for the fourth spot with offers them Europa League football next season. It’s their biggest chance in a small while it would seem to qualify in fourth given that key players may leave in the summer and two close opponents, AZ and Vitesse, have their attentions turned by the KNVB Cup final.

If Erik Ten Hag can manage a high placed finish he must be considered for various managerial awards as he took Utrecht from being a soft-centered mid-table team and converted them to a tight, yet physically and tactically dangerous, unit.

Michael’s prediction: 1-2

Michael Bell’s prediction: Both sides were poor last weekend. Utrecht were expected to beat ADO but drew while Heracles were hammered at NEC. Sebastien Haller should be back this weekend for Utrecht and that’s a big boost for Erik ten Hag’s side, who I think will grab a point in Almelo. 1-1

Tip: BTTS at 8/13.

            Go Ahead Eagles v PSV

It was a marvellous point for Go Ahead in Heerenveen last weekend and as I said, even though my prediction was incorrect, the Eagles are a threatening and highly technical side that can harm certain teams.

I don’t see that happening here unfortunately, PSV will still want to fight for the title and are defensively very good in these kinds of matches.

Michael’s prediction: 0-2

Michael Bell’s prediction: Last weekend’s results mean PSV aren’t quite out of the title race just yet but they can avoid no slip ups and the game in Deventer is a potential banana skin. The hosts have improved since January and they got themselves a great draw against Heerenveen last weekend. They will be dangerous on the counter through Manu but Cocu’s men should have too much for them. 1-4

Tip: Siem de Jong is 5/4 to score at any time.

            Excelsior v Heerenveen

Excelsior took advantage of a misfiring AZ last weekend and could do the same to out-of-form Heerenveen.

However, it’s wins that Excelsior need right now. I worry for the home side in the long run because if they cannot stay up this season, a planned investment may not take place and so I don’t think we’d see the Rotterdammers any time soon back in the top flight.

The players need to show fight now and improve their disciplinary record, which has cost them a few times this season.

Back to Saturday’s match, I think we will see both sides put on a show.

Michael’s prediction: 2-2

Michael Bell’s prediction: The wheels have really fallen off for Heerenveen since the winter break and they have only recorded one win in their last eight games. They looked certain to finish fourth earlier in the season but have fallen apart and they are now down in 7th. Martin Odegaard looked good last week against Go Ahead Eagles and I think he is starting to adapt to the Heerenveen style. I think he will be crucial on Saturday and inspire a win against Excelsior, who got themselves a good point at AZ last week but are my pick to finish bottom. 1-2

Tip: Over 3.5 goals at 7/4.

Sunday 12th March

             Willem II v PEC Zwolle

Jordy Croux is certainly one to watch in this game. He has been impressing me lately, and I would expect a sub-top Dutch or Belgian side to come in for the winger in the summer.

Willem II are still a reserved team, so I wouldn’t expect lots of goals nor quality in this match, but PEC’s form has finally sparked.

I think it’ll be a home win here though, in a tight contest.

Michael’s prediction: 1-0

Michael Bell’s prediction: I have been impressed by both of these sides recently, especially PEC Zwolle who look so much better since Ouasim Bouy rejoined from Juventus. I can’t see either getting dragged back into the relegation battle and I can see the match on Sunday ending with both getting a point. 1-1

            Roda JC v Groningen

This is the type of game where Roda will do a job on Groningen and restrict their visitors to few chances.

It’s consistent for Roda, but is it enough to get them out of trouble with only three wins all season?

Groningen have dangerous forwards that have come up with the goods recently, although I can’t see them producing much against a tight Roda defence.

Michael’s prediction: 1-1

Michael Bell’s prediction: The last two results have been worrying for Roda JC, who were terrible against PSV last weekend. The excitement surrounding the takeover seems to be dwindling and they are getting dragged into the relegation battle. Groningen looked good at times against Ajax and could have won that game. When Mahi and Linssen are on form they can beat most teams in the Eredivisie and I think they will beat Roda. 0-2

Tip: Under 2.5 goals at 4/5.

            Feyenoord v AZ

There’s only one way Feyenoord can bounce back from their hugely disappointing defeat to Sparta. They must win here but if they don’t, I fear the wheels will come off an excellent campaign up to now.

With a few injuries, Feyenoord may be far from their best on Sunday but although opponents AZ may look threatening in fifth place, they have been off form for some weeks now.

The goals have dried up for striker Wout Weghorst, the midfield has been inconsistent with square pegs in round holes, plus defensive errors have cost Alkmaar points that they should be winning for a team of their quality.

On the website’s podcast, it was discussed how John van den Brom maybe isn’t the right man to take AZ forward, yet he has only just signed a new long-term contract with the club.

Maybe this game is a turn around for them, but they will need to cut out the mistakes and play above their level to get anything from a hungrier Feyenoord.

Michael’s prediction: 3-1

Michiel Bell’s prediction: Last weekend’s defeat at Sparta was the first signs of nerves for van Bronckhorsts side and they go into the weekend with a number of issues. Jones and Vilhena are definitely missing while Elia, Jorgensen and Bilal are all doubts. AZ haven’t been great in recent weeks but they still possess some quality and can punish Feyenoord if they aren’t at 100%. However, I think Feyenoord have depth in their squad and even if they have to rely on Kramer, Vejinovic and Kuyt they should still record a win. I can see it being nervy though. 2-1

            Ajax v Twente

This will be a tighter game than it looks. Twente don’t have anything to play for now this season, as they are banned from entering Europe next season. They sit sixth though and are a fantastic young group of players that have little pressure to perform well after the club’s problems last season.

Ajax will of course be desperate for the win to chase Feyenoord. They will ultimately be too strong for Twente, as this Peter Bosz Ajax doesn’t seem to have many off days.

One to watch is Manchester City loanee Enes Unal, whose recent good form in front of goal could again put him in the limelight in Amsterdam.

Michael’s prediction: 2-1

Michael Bell’s prediction: Last weekend was Ajax’s chance to close the gap on Feyenoord but they blew it. They will come into this game on the back of the tie against Copenhagen but Bosz’s side have shown on countless times this season that the Europa League hasn’t affected them. Twente were decent last weekend in the win over Willem II but I can’t see them troubling Ajax too much. 2-0

Accumulator for all nine winners from Michael with a £10 bet returns: £10,441.90

You can watch all Eredivisie games live for free through bet365. Make an account today by clicking the banner below!

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)

Week 25: 2 results, 1 correct score (versus commentator Michiel Teeling)




Michael Statham (853 Posts)

Writer/interviewer/YouTuber for Football-Oranje. Massive Dutch football fan from the UK. Follow me @EredivisieMike & subscribe to Football-Oranje on YouTube.