Michael Statham offers his predictions and bet365 tips for week 31’s Eredivisie fixtures. This weekend, Michael faces Eredivisie tipster Crypto for the third time this season to decide their best of three. They both predict Feyenoord’s tough home game against in form Utrecht as well as the relegation ‘six pointer’ between Roda and Sparta.
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Friday 14th April
Heracles v AZ
The gap between Heracles and AZ could be reduced to only three points should the home side win on Friday, as the team from Almelo look to gatecrash the top eight that has remained consistent for much of the season.
AZ are not playing in cup-winning form still, and failing to beat Roda last weekend was just another disappointment. John van den Brom’s men are not finishing their chances and are making careless mistakes in defence. Experienced, yet injury prone, Ron Vlaar was the latest to make an error.
Hence it makes this game tough to predict. There will be goals and a winner is likely, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it was Heracles given their current form.
Michael’s prediction: 3-2
Crypto’s prediction: The Utrecht, Heerenveen and Go Ahead games showed us Heracles are still fighting for the Europa League. Alkmaar are also in the play-off spots. It’s a tough game to predict the winner but both teams have goals in them. 1-1
Tip: Both Teams To Score – yes. [all tips this weekend provided by Crypto!] (click the link or the bet365 banners to find out more…)
Saturday 15th April
Roda JC v Sparta
Roda have won four of their last six home games to give themselves a fighting chance of survival – or at least to avoid direct relegation (18th spot).
Sparta and Willem II are Roda’s last two home games – they’re winnable and Roda must take these opportunities because Utrecht and Vitesse away both represent much tougher challenges.
Sparta seemingly have their season’s fate in their own hands. They have to play Roda, ADO and Go Ahead, who are all teams down the bottom. Their last match though was a home defeat to Excelsior, who are also struggling.
The Rotterdammers may end up in the bottom three come the end of the campaign, which is a shame given their great start to the season. They have some lively attacking players but the goals continue to leak at the other end.
Michael’s prediction: 2-1
Crypto’s prediction: Roda have 27 points and Sparta have 28. Another tough game at the bottom. According to last form of teams, Roda are better and may take 3 points here. But also a draw is possible, too. 2-1
Tip: Over 2.5 goals.
ADO Den Haag v PSV
Three wins in a week have glossed over ADO’s incredibly poor season.
Their luck in front of goal continued, whilst the loose defending appeared again during the 4-3 win over Groningen.
I have a feeling ADO will pull off a result against PSV, and I’m willing to go with that feeling since PSV’s season feels over despite still mathematically being in contention for first or second.
Michael’s prediction: 2-2
Crypto’s prediction: Over the last 5 games, ADO have picked up 12 points and moved away from the bottom of the table. Also they have the schedule advantage, too. PSV lost two points on the road against Twente with a last minute goal thanks to a huge mistake. I should trust PSV on the road again, but surely ADO will score at least one goal at home. 1-2
Excelsior v Vitesse
Even though Vitesse have shown some formidable form recently (four wins from five), I fancy Excelsior to pick up another point.
As I mentioned on the podcast, I feel that Excelsior will find a way to stay up. They have good quality for the style they play but in my opinion have been a little unfortunate in the way they have conceded one or two goals. I also think they’re hindered by the small stadium they possess. If the Rotterdammers can grow their support and build a new stadium in the next 5-10 years then the club’s ‘mini’ reputation would soon grow.
Ricky van Wolfswinkel and Navaronne Foor look in the mood lately, so another Vitesse win would certainly not surprise me.
Michael’s prediction: 1-1
Crypto’s prediction: Visitors are in good form and if they would play at home, I’d surely bet on them for a handicap bet. But on the road, I will choose the safest way and the odds are really good for draw no bet for Vitesse (Vitesse +0). I am not expecting a surprise from the home team. 1-2
Tip: Draw no bet Vitesse.
Twente v NEC
Holding PSV at home in midweek plus Twente’s comprehensive defeat at the hands of Utrecht show you the difference of the Enschede side’s strength at home and away.
Back at home for this one, I think they’ll only pile on the misery for Hyballa’s NEC, who have slipped into the bottom three.
The nacompetitie (post-competition) awaits NEC, Twente have too much movement in attack and cool heads in defence.
Michael’s prediction: 2-1
Crypto’s prediction: For the last 10 Eredivisie games, Nijmegen only won 1 game and 3 points. And they have 28 points. Twente have 42 points and they are standing at 7th position (the last spot for play-offs). I am not expecting any suprise here and a home win is likely. 2-0
Tip: Twente win.
Sunday 16th April
Willem II v Go Ahead Eagles
Willem II have built a reputation this season of being hard to beat but the end of season feeling has lead to players appearing indifferent to how their decent campaign concludes.
I wonder if Go Ahead will have one last fight to retain their Eredivisie status, if only for seventeenth place and the nacompetitie (which I would fancy them to win). Elvis Manu’s sending off against Heracles ruined the match last weekend and it wasn’t a true reflection of their ability.
Michael’s prediction: 1-2
Crypto’s prediction: From my side, this is a no bet game. Cannot trust either team for any bet according to their performances. But I think Willen won’t win this game so easily. One bet is possible for me. 2-1
Tip: Go Ahead +1.5 Asian handicap.
Groningen v PEC Zwolle
Ernest Faber called his players in for training at 8am following the embarrassing performance away at ADO last time out.
He will demand a reaction at home to PEC in this mid-table fixture, who conversely put out a good display to hold league leaders Feyenoord.
Michael’s prediction: 1-1
Crypto’s prediction: Another no bet game for me. Both teams had poor performance lately. We may not expect so many goals here. The most playable bet is an under bet. 1-1
Feyenoord v Utrecht
Feyenoord are choking and the title is slipping from their grip.
A very tough game with Utrecht is next. The team sitting in fourth place aren’t letting up their performances as the term finishes and have continued their solid shape and potent, dynamic attack.
The fact that Feyenoord are fighting and at home is tempting me to predict a narrow 2-1 win for the hosts, however another slow start could see Utrecht having other ideas.
Believe me, there will be more huge twists and turns in the title race yet, and my 10/1 tip for Feyenoord to win the title at the beginning of the campaign doesn’t seem so unlikely now, despite the fact I have backed Ajax for the league all season, because I always felt Feyenoord would slip up at a time it mattered most to churn out results…
Michael’s prediction: 2-2
Crypto’s prediction: Unexpected result for Feyenoord on the road against Zwolle. Now, they feel Ajax very closely. I am expcting a home win but Utrecht will not lose the game with two goals difference. 2-1
Tip: Utrecht +1.5 handicap.
Ajax v Heerenveen
Ajax will start this game with the motivation to either keep tabs with Feyenoord or attempt to surpass them.
The Europa League game with Schalke on Thursday won’t have affected Ajax in their attempt to beat Heerenveen since the Frisians have been that poor since Christmas.
Even though the visitors have the weapons to harm Ajax, the Heerenveen defence is likely to be breached on plenty of occasions on Sunday.
Michael’s prediction: 3-1
Crypto’s prediction: After the Europa League game, this game is also very important for Ajax. I am sure that they will not be tired and will focus. 3-1
Tip: Ajax -1.5 handicap.
Accumulator for all nine winners from Michael with a £10 bet returns: £158,503.30
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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)
Week 30: 3 results (versus commentator Paul Thomas Clay)
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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.
