Michael Statham offers his predictions and bet365 tips for week 30’s Eredivisie fixtures. Michael now faces Norwegian commentator Paul Thomas Clay. Known for his voice on Viasat, Paul commentates on a wide range of leagues including La Liga, the Premier League and, of course, the Eredivisie. Both PT and Michael give their opinions on games such as the relegation battle between Sparta and Excelsior, plus Feyenoord’s trip to Zwolle.
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Friday 7th April
Sparta v Excelsior
This match is between two teams within the bottom six. Sparta will see this Rotterdam derby as a perfect chance to quash any lingering fears that their poor second half to the season won’t drag them back to the Jupiler League.
They will hope to keep Excelsior on the back foot and play more expansive football than they did against both PSV and Heerenveen, where they conceded a total of five and scored none.
Visitors Excelsior need to pick up points on the road if they are to stay up – simple as that. They face Vitesse and Feyenoord at home, but games with NEC, ADO and Sparta present great opportunities to grab points and beat down their fellow relegation candidates. Problem is, Excelsior haven’t won away since last August.
Michael’s prediction: 2-1
PT’s prediction: Matchday 30 kicks off with a mouthwatering Rotterdam Derby. Maybe not because of the quality of football, but because they both play with a lot of heart. Mixed results recently for both, but good performances against top teams. This will be a tight one, with more yellow cards than goals. 1-1
Tip: Both Teams To Score. (click the link or the bet365 banners to find out more…)
Saturday 8th April
Vitesse v Heerenveen
It was a dogged performance from Vitesse to win yet another game, this time away at Heracles.
Even though the table suggests these two sides are evenly matched, the form table since Christmas tells you a totally different story.
Heerenveen’s woes look set to continue, but their win over Sparta may have given them a bit of confidence. Captain Schaars has returned to action too, plus I wonder if Vitesse will be as lucky not to concede as they were on Wednesday.
Michael’s prediction: 1-1
PT’s prediction: Two completely different 2017’s for these two teams, moving in different directions on the table. 22 and 11 points respectively. This should be a good one, though. Vitesse showing some of their potential recently, and Heerenveen’s result on Tuesday should give them some of their confidence back. Stijn Schaars’s return is a huge boost, but in what shape is he in after three and half months without game time? Two of the most prolific strikers in the Eredivisie meet up, Ricky vs. Reza. At least one point stays at the GelreDome. 2-1
Tip: BTTS
ADO Den Haag v Groningen
Although ADO beat Willem II in midweek, I thought they were still awful defensively. The appointment of Alfons Groenendijk has helped ADO accrue more points, but there’s not a lot of difference between the way his side are playing to that of sacked manager Zeljko Petrovic. The main difference, in my opinion, is that ADO have had more fortune in front of goal and at the back.
Against Willem II I thought far too many errors still occurred and there was a lack of marking. It’s up to Groningen to take advantage of a similar scenario here, who won a game for the first time in their last ten attempts on Wednesday.
The odds for a Groningen away win look relatively short, and I think you can back that up with the freedom they played with against NEC. Confidence boosts can mean so much in football.
Michael’s prediction: 1-2
PT’s prediction: A huge difference here in terms of what to play for. After a terrible start to 2017 for ADO, with one point in seven games, they’ve amassed ten in the last five and are about to pull off a “great escape” in the relegation battle. Groningen don’t score much, but are pretty tight at the back. They’ve got nothing to play for though, I think ADO will take this. 2-0
Tip: BTTS
NEC v Ajax
NEC have been so flat in recent weeks that I can’t even offer them a glimmer of hope of getting anything from this one.
Ajax have just kept their intensity level so high and are pulling out the stops to enjoy an incredible run of form. They will hope to have the game tied up by half-time.
Michael’s prediction: 0-2
PT’s prediction: Top against bottom (in the form table). NEC’s abysmal run of late against an Ajax chasing top spot, and their first league title in three years… Can’t see this ending well for NEC. They score less than half of what the Amsterdammers do, and they let in more than double. Ajax’s Klassieker performance and late surge against AZ tells me that this could be a very one-sided affair. 0-3
Go Ahead Eagles v Heracles
Go Ahead will find it tough to bounce back from their mauling from Feyenoord. As mentioned in this week’s podcast, the Eagles’ loan players won’t carry the extra fight that is needed in a relegation battle, and I wonder if that will be the telling factor for their campaign.
Heracles were decent again in their game with Vitesse. I think they’ll be tough opposition for Go Ahead, and I can’t see the vital home win coming for the hosts.
Michael’s prediction: 1-2
PT’s prediction: You’ve got to respond to an 8-0 thrashing. Go Ahead will run their socks off in this one. Heracles have been the “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” of the Eredivisie of late; brilliant one day, lackluster the next. Can’t get my head around these boys from Almelo, but they’re still in the hunt for 7th place and think they will bounce back from the defeat at the hands of Vitesse. Go Ahead were lucky with three points at Twente last weekend, and they need a whole lot of luck to save their Eredivisie status. 1-2
Tip: Over 2.5 goals.
Sunday 9th April
AZ v Roda JC
It was another question of what could have been for AZ. Their unlucky 0-0 draw with Groningen was followed by further agony in the defeat to Ajax. Had they taken their chances and had the Sánchez goal ruled out for a foul, AZ could well have beaten Ajax.
However, instead I’m writing about another disappointing AZ performance because they haven’t delivered when they have the players to do so.
I think they will put Roda to the sword though. Roda will once again be predictable and sit back, hoping for a rare opportunity on the break or from a set-piece. If AZ can get a goal early, they could take out some frustration.
Michael’s prediction: 3-0
PT’s prediction: AZ could have been so much more this season drawing almost half their games. The inability to finish off even encounters have cost them many points. They are big favorites against a Roda team battling relegation though. Three points and a huge win against PEC Zwolle will give Roda confidence ahead of this game, but I think they’ll travel back to Kerkrade with zero points. 2-0
Tip: Over 2.5 goals.
PEC Zwolle v Feyenoord
PEC in the past have been the type of team to spoil a party and really turn it on when one of the big boys visited.
They’ll put in a shift here too, but Feyenoord will see past the Zwolle determination to grind out another away win. The Rotterdammers responded brilliantly to De Klassieker disappoinment. The players know as well as the manager that the title is very much still in their hands.
Michael’s prediction: 1-2
PT’s prediction: With a point in their pocket with less than two minutes to go against Roda, PEC Zwolle will be beating themselves up over a missed chance to put the relegation battle behind them. Especially after Queensy Menig’s mother of all misses. Feyenoord’s slip-up in De Klassieker makes the run-in in the Eredivisie more exciting for the neutrals, but their 8-0 thrashing of Go Ahead Eagles was a statement. A show of force and intent. Full steam ahead for van Bronckhorst’s boys. 1-3
Utrecht v Twente
Fourth place looks almost sewn up for Utrecht. This game with Twente should deliver some entertainment as both sides look to end their seasons on a high.
Mistakes may creep in defence, and on form strikers Haller and Unal will look to take advantage.
Michael’s prediction: 2-2
PT’s prediction: I really fancy this one, from my neutral standpoint. There are bound to be goals, only three scoreless draws between the two this season. Ten Hag’s un-Dutch 4-4-2 and Twente’s exciting, youthful (and borrowed) talent should make a really interesting game. Utrecht’s good run of late make them my favorite, but Twente will be up for the fight. 3-2
Tip: Over 2.5 goals.
PSV v Willem II
The painful last minute draw with Twente will have taken the wind of PSV’s sails. The title is over and some of the focus for PSV players may turn to moves away in the summer.
It’s almost like the end of an era for a squad that has stayed pretty well intact over the last three years. Phillip Cocu remaining at the club is then crucial to PSV next season to oversee a smooth transition.
Willem II will hope that PSV have one of their off days, but I think Jurgen Locadia will be keen to show off his potential ahead of the next campaign.
Michael’s prediction: 3-0
PT’s prediction: PSV’s title hopes all but ended with Bersant Celina’s late, late equaliser on Thursday. Even five wins in the last five games will probably not be enough to retain the title. However, there is still a chance, even if purely mathematically. PSV will give it a go, and they will break down the fourth best defense in the Eredivisie at least twice in this game. Willem II’s lack of goal scoring ability (Roda the only other team with less than a goal per game) makes this an easy prediction. 3-0
Tip: Locadia to score at anytime.
Accumulator for all nine winners from Michael with a £10 bet returns: £4081.50
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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)
Week 28: 5 results, 2 correct scores (versus Eredivisie tipster TipsterFromHolland)
Week 29: 5 results (versus writer James Rowe)
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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.
