Michael Statham offers his predictions and bet365 tips for week 33’s Eredivisie fixtures. This weekend, Michael predicts against writer Mark Neale, known for his articles for Football-Oranje and Italian football website Gentleman Ultra. The matches include tough home matches for relegation threatened NEC and Sparta plus Feyenoord can secure the title with a win at Rotterdam rivals Excelsior. Last time, Michael edged out Stoke City defender Erik Pieters with six results and three correct scores compared to the Dutchman’s six results and one correct score.
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Sunday 7th May
NEC v AZ
I wonder what kind of impact the departure of manager Peter Hyballa will have on NEC’s squad.
Usually a response is expected, but I can’t see it from a side who have been truly awful in recent months, losing 12 out of their last 13.
That said, AZ are sore from their cup final defeat and haven’t exactly set the league alight this season, but are still fifth in the league.
It’s a big opportunity for NEC but I don’t think they can take it.
Michael’s prediction: 0-2
Mark’s prediction: NEC host AZ as they struggle to survive in the top division of Dutch football, without a solitary point since early March the freefall has been staggering. AZ have won one the last four league games but last week’s KNVB cup defeat will hurt. I expect NEC to continue their woeful form. 0-2
Tip: AZ to win. (click the link or the bet365 banners to find out more…)
Ajax v Go Ahead Eagles
This should be a routine victory for Ajax, despite the fact this comes after an intense Europa League win on Wednesday and changes will be made.
Go Ahead are destined to go down after throwing everything at Groningen last time out but still falling to another home defeat. They will just want to avoid a steamrollering here.
Michael’s prediction: 4-0
Mark’s prediction: Last chance to see the home side for this campaign and despite the Europa league efforts mid-week I expect Go Ahead to suffer a fifth consecutive defeat and relegation. My prediction a comfortable home win. 4-0
Tip: Over 2.5 goals.
Sparta v Twente
Like NEC, Sparta have been pretty poor lately, but the Rotterdam side have not been quite as bad.
Unfortunately for Sparta they’re too workmanlike and don’t have enough quality forward players to break down opposition and I think one or two of the attacking options maybe don’t fit into the team’s system. They must however win this to dig their way out of the bottom three.
I think Twente will be robust and score a goal on the counter. This game means nothing to their season but they’re a good enough team to win here. Nevertheless, I can also see the home side pinching a goal at some point.
Michael’s prediction: 1-1
Mark’s prediction: Five consecutive losses for Sparta leaves little hope for the Rotterdammers. Twente to win. 1-3
Roda nearly clung onto a vital point a fortnight ago in Utrecht, but were deservedly beaten as they gave away too many chances.
They play differently at home though, and will see this as a glorious opportunity to leave behind their rivals beneath them in the table. That’s because Willem II have only scored twice and kept no clean sheets in their last five away from home.
In my opinion, the best the visitors will get is a point.
Michael’s prediction: 1-1
Mark’s prediction: Both sides are in fluctuating form. The need for points is more necessary for the home team in their battle to avoid a relegation play-off spot and will give them enough incentive for victory. Roda to win by the solitary goal. 1-0
Tip: Roda +0.5 handicap.
Groningen v PSV
A slightly disappointing campaign for Groningen at least looks to be ending on a positive note seeing as two decent defenders have already joined their ranks for next season: Mike te Wierik and Django Warmerdam.
A result against PSV would also be a boost and I reckon there’s a few goals in this game given the end of season feel to the match. Not all PSV players will be motivated given their recent disappointment and perhaps the home side will give this game a go with nothing now to play for.
Michael’s prediction: 2-2
Mark’s prediction: Groningen are comfortably mid-table and PSV are assured of Europa league football, so this game has nothing riding on it, a chance to thank the fans for the home team. 2-1
Tip: Over 2.5 goals.
Heracles v ADO Den Haag
Heracles will do extremely well to keep hold of top goalscorer Samuel Armenteros for next season. 17 goals is a great return and I think he’ll score again this weekend.
ADO have managed (somehow) to put a string of wins together and safety is already secured. A relaxed, mid-table match will therefore take place in Almelo and a few goals may flood in.
Michael’s prediction: 3-1
Mark’s prediction: Heracles still have a chance of a Europa league play-off spot and hold the advantage over ADO in recent fixtures. A resurgent ADO will not be an easy opponent and I will go with a draw. 1-1
Tip: Over 2.5 goals.
PEC Zwolle v Heerenveen
PEC are not yet safe. In my view, Ron Jans should not have announced that he was leaving the club so early in the season, seeing as since then I think some of his players have not been up to their best standard. Consequently, Zwolle find themselves still not safe from relegation with two games to go.
They should get a result against Heerenveen though, who are still in rotten form despite their win over Willem II two weeks ago.
Michael’s prediction: 1-1
Mark’s prediction: A win for the home side will guarantee Eredivisie football for next season, but with only one win in the last nine encounters including a 4-0 defeat earlier this season and Heerenveen pushing for a Europa league play-off spot – the odds are against them. Zwolle are winless in the last six games and I expect this to continue…win for the visitors. 1-2
Excelsior v Feyenoord
If Feyenoord win this match, then they are champions. What a season it has been for them. To hear a more detailed opinion of mine on their wonderful campaign, click here.
Rivals Excelsior will of course want to spoil their neighbours’ party but they will fall short on Sunday.
Michael’s prediction: 0-3
Mark’s prediction: Feyenoord travel to Excelsior knowing a win will secure them their first Eredivisie title since the 1998-99 season, undefeated against their hosts in ten games. Despite lots of nerves I expect the Rotterdam side to prevail and become champions. 1-3
Utrecht v Vitesse
Hopefully the fact that this is an end of season encounter (with nothing to play for) doesn’t spoil the spectacle.
Utrecht, sitting pretty in fourth, will want to celebrate their last home fixture in style. I think they will have the edge over Vitesse, who will still be happy from their cup success last weekend.
Unlike other games this weekend with little to play for, I don’t think this game will “open up”.
Michael’s prediction: 1-0
Mark’s prediction: Utrecht sit comfortably in fouth place and with Vitesse coming off an emotional cup victory last weekend this will be a typical end of season game. 0-0
Tip: Under 2.5 goals.
Accumulator for all nine winners from Michael with a £10 bet returns: £14,867.70
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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)
Week 31: 4 results (versus Eredivisie tipster Crypto)
Week 32: 6 results, 3 correct scores (versus Stoke City defender Erik Pieters)
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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.
