Michael Statham offers his predictions and bet365 tips for week 28’s Eredivisie fixtures. This weekend, Michael is taking on Eredivisie tipster Paul (TipsterFromHolland). They will both predict the derby between Vitesse and NEC as well as the crunch title match between Ajax and Feyenoord.

  • By Michael Statham
  • Follow Michael on Twitter @EredivisieMike
  • Follow Paul on Twitter @FootballTipsNL

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Saturday 1st April

          AZ v Groningen

AZ gave out a much better attacking performance against ADO a fortnight ago. The 4-0 win is sure to be a confidence boost to a team that has been up and down all season.

Ultimately, the Alkmaar side are still below their true level. Fourth place this season and a cup win to boot would however change my view on their campaign.

This game is an anticipated home win, let’s see if the players can cope with the pressure from the stands to put away a team without a win in nine.

Michael’s prediction: 2-0

Paul’s prediction: AZ Alkmaar are currently fifth and I’m sure they want to push for more. Fourth or seventh don’t make any difference with the coming play-offs but AZ are still not fully qualified for that. FC Groningen are twelfth and it seems they don’t have much to play for. Bryan Linssen received red in their last game so he will be suspended, who has scored all of Groningen’s goals lately. 2-1

Tip: AZ Alkmaar to win. [all tips this week provided by TipsterFromHolland!] (click the link or the bet365 banners to find out more…)

           PEC Zwolle v Excelsior

PEC’s upturn in form since Christmas is evident: three Eredivisie wins before the winter break – and five (already) after it.

Are they done in terms of their season aspirations though? I would argue that Excelsior will travel to Zwolle in confident mood after a surprising point versus Ajax.

Defenders Mattheij and De Wijs will have a challenge in marking Brock-Madsen out of the game, if they can handle that aspect, I would back Excelsior for at least a draw given their precarious position at the bottom of the table.

Michael’s prediction: 1-1

Paul’s prediction: PEC Zwolle have had a difficult season but they are on the good track now. They will be full of confidence after beating their rivals Go Ahead Eagles (my only love) and they also won their last home game against Vitesse, who I rate very highly. So no doubts about Zwolle getting on the score sheet. Excelsior are fighting against relegation and with their last 1-1 against Ajax they also will feel very confident. It’s the time of the year teams like this will find more and more points so I’m very confident they will find a goal here, especially now Zwolle don’t have that much to play for. 2-1

Tip: BTTS.

           Sparta v PSV

Having beaten Feyenoord at home recently, Sparta will fancy their chances of causing another upset here.

I’m not sure PSV will have read the memo though, they still want points to chase down Ajax, who they can overtake before their rival’s game on Sunday.

Focus is what PSV need at the moment as they attempt to end the season positively. Sparta just don’t have enough to get round that. I expect a few goals here too.

Michael’s prediction: 1-3

Paul’s prediction: Sparta are doing very well; winning three of their last four league games, including a big win over their rivals Feyenoord who are from the same city. You could rate Feyenoord the same as PSV but this game is not a derby game. Besides this I also have the Cup game in mind from back in October where Sparta defeated PSV by three goals to one. Surely PSV are after revenge and they also are still in full fight for second place which means Champions League Qualifications! But the 3-1 also proved Sparta are up for it! 1-3

Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

            Utrecht v Willem II

Erik Ten Hag is my personal favourite to get the Netherlands manager position. I like his style, I just wonder whether or not he can handle the bigger characters in the squad. He certainly showed he is no push-over by dealing well with situations involving departing players last summer and persuaded Sébastien Haller to remain at the club for another season.

Willem II have been extremely difficult to beat lately and will offer Utrecht a stern test. I think the hosts will overcome that problem though, it’s up to the bigger names to find a way through a tough defence.

Michael’s prediction: 1-0

Paul’s prediction: Can’t say this was an easy choice. Utrecht are fourth and as good as qualified for the play-offs. Willem II are ninth but the play-offs places look too far away for them, especially when looking at the sides above them who I rate higher. I also think this Utrecht side is full of talented players so I feel good with the home win here. 2-0

Tip: Utrecht to win.

            Heracles v Heerenveen

Heracles have scored in every home league game since October, such is their confidence at home.

There will be goals here, and maybe Heerenveen will finally get an overdue away win, given that their last one was four months ago on the road.

It’s also about time Heerenveen’s key names returned to form. Manager Jurgen Streppel has been questioned by myself already this season, but it’s up to the players to perform well for the fans and any future moves they might like.

Stijn Schaars should be back for this one, and his influence is huge for Heerenveen. He sits in front of the back four and provides that extra bit of protection they’ll need away from home.

Michael’s prediction: 1-2

Paul’s prediction: My bet looks very strong even though Heerenveen lost 1-0 away in three of their last four away games. This was all against high rated sides and I also still think they have a very talented squad that were in a great form before the winter break. These two sides are also still ranked first and second when looking at the over 2.5 goals standings! Heracles at home always try to deliver entertainment so I think both sides will get plenty of chances to find those three goals we need. 2-2

Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

Sunday 2nd April

             Vitesse v NEC

Seven wins out of twelve since the winter break suggest Vitesse are one of the league’s form teams coming into this Gelderse derby. Seven defeats out of ten say that NEC are not.

NEC are playing without passion and flair. They’re drab to watch and need to endure another mass change over in players this summer. If a few, quality players can be obtained with several leaving, the Nijmegen side will have more balance.

Vitesse will enjoy their derby win this Sunday. Kashia and van Wolfswinkel know what these games mean and will lift the team’s pride.

Michael’s prediction: 3-0

Paul’s prediction: This is a big derby game so stats don’t always count but NEC look very bad after the winter break, especially away from home. I cant see them getting a result this time with Vitesse in great form. They maybe lost away to PSV but they easily could have won it. The quality difference between these two sides is huge and Vitesse still have plenty to play for. NEC also have plenty to play for but I just cant see it happening this time with this squad. 2-0

Tip: Vitesse to win.

            Ajax v Feyenoord

This game will of course have a massive influence on the destination of the Eredivisie title for this season. Should Feyenoord avoid defeat here, they would carry a six point cushion with six games left.

I think Gio van Bronckhorst will set his team up to be very difficult to beat but with emphasis on finding a goal from maybe a set-piece (which Ajax can be weak at sometimes) or a counter-attack.

It’s up to Ajax then to take their chances as they will without doubt create plenty of them given their attacking talent.

The two week break will have helped some of the Ajax players refresh (as not all were on international duty) and although I think it will ultimately be Feyenoord’s season, I feel this will be Ajax’s day.

Michael’s prediction: 2-1

Paul’s prediction: The big one! What a game this is. But this year Feyenoord are the leaders with Ajax challenging from behind. It’s very hard to predict the winner of this game but both sides need and want a result here so Both Teams To Score is the only bet I can think of. Dolberg might not be fit and Feyenoord will miss Vilhena as he’s suspended but I really don’t worry about it that much. It’s the timing of this game and the league standings. This is the game where both sides should show why they are fighting for the league title. 1-1

Tip: BTTS.

             ADO Den Haag v Roda JC            

A draw will do neither side much good. However, in recent home games, ADO have appeared timid in their tactics.

Added to the fact that Roda enjoy avoiding defeat in most games, a stalemate is probable and very few goals are likely.

If there’s going to be a winner, I’d pick ADO, but whilst a win for either side would be vital, a defeat would be disastrous.

Michael’s prediction: 0-0

Paul’s prediction: Another difficult game for me to predict. Both sides need the points in their battle against regulation but both sides look very bad this season. These same two sides also have the same problems in management with their new owners from outside the Netherlands. I have seen nothing that makes me think this will be an entertaining game. ADO Den Haag have only netted nine goals in their 13 home games. Also their last game against NEC Nijmegen, who I rate the same as Roda, looked terrible and finished in a 1-0 victory for ADO Den Haag. Roda away are also very poor and they only scored seven in their 13 away games. 0-0

Tip: Under 2.5 goals.

            Twente v Go Ahead Eagles

I think Go Ahead have a real opportunity here to throw a surprise.

Twente have been solid and steady throughout the second half of the season, but they have little to play for seeing as they cannot qualify for Europe (due to a ban).

Go Ahead are fighting for their lives and it’s getting to the point where they simply must claim three points in a match they’re not expect to do so. New manager Rob Maaskant has enjoyed many ups and downs in his career, and will hope here that his immediate impact will bring a win they need.

My prediction is Go Ahead will come close, but fall short of a win. They still have deficiencies in what isn’t a bad team.

Michael’s prediction: 2-2

Paul’s prediction: Go Ahead Eagles is my home side and we are in big troubles. We don’t have a squad with plenty of talent in it. They just sacked their coach and here’s hoping for a shock effect. Still I think the coach should have finished the season as we must keep in mind this is the same man that came in last season and did an amazing job by continually winning, including the play-offs, which gave us the promotion.

The good news is that Go Ahead Eagles are travelling to Twente with plenty of support from their great loyal fan base. 1000 people will go support our lads and because of that I am even more confident this will be a great derby game with both sides getting on the score sheet. Don’t even need a shock effect for that as I think Go Ahead Eagles are stronger than before the winter break. Twente have a few very talented players who can score goals so no doubting them to get on the scoresheet. 2-2

Tip: BTTS.

Accumulator for all nine winners from Michael with a £10 bet returns: £12,405.10

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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)

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

Week 26: 5 results (versus writer Michael Bell)

Week 27: 4 results (versus Eredivisie tipster Crypto)




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.