Michael Statham offers his predictions and bet365 tips for week 34’s Eredivisie fixtures. For the final weekend of the season, Michael faces Jeroen Thijssen, who is Head Football Manager Researcher for Dutch football. Matches to predict include Feyenoord’s crunch home match with Heracles and cup winners Vitesse host relegation threatened Roda JC.

  • By Michael Statham
  • Follow Michael on Twitter @EredivisieMike
  • Follow Jeroen on Twitter

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Sunday 14th May

              Heerenveen v NEC

Since the winter break, Heerenveen’s slip down the table has been appalling. On the cusp of the top three at Christmas and since then they have lost every game away from home. However, in Friesland, Jurgen Streppel’s men have only lost two out of eight.

So they’ll be tricky to beat for NEC, who need a win and other results to go their way in order to avoid the relegation playoffs.

Not all is lost for Nijmegen and their performance against AZ was much improved. They will battle here but ultimately fall short in my opinion and remain in the bottom three. Heerenveen’s front three will cause too many problems.

Michael’s prediction: 1-1

Jeroen’s prediction: The Nijmegen side won just two away games all season and it will remain that way, dropping the side into the relegation playoff battle. 2-0

Tip: BTTS – yes. (click the link or the bet365 banners to find out more…)

              Vitesse v Roda JC

After their moving cup win, Vitesse were almost understandably lacklustre in their last match with Utrecht.

Back in Arnhem though, with the fans there to congratulate them, I think they’ll turn up to beat Roda.

Up from Kerkrade, the visitors hold the upper hand to avoid the bottom three but will set up defensively to stifle Vitesse – like they have all season away from home. What is interesting to point out though is that Roda won’t be any better off with a point should Sparta win…

Michael’s prediction: 2-0

Jeroen’s prediction: Roda JC have not scored in the last 5 meetings with Vitesse and I expect this to be another victory for Vitesse, although Roda JC are likely to draw or probably win this when looking at the Sparta game. They can only hope that Vitesse cannot really be bothered, and I think the home side will pinch this but it will be tighter than expected. 2-0

              Willem II v Ajax

The title race is what will capture everybody’s attention on Sunday. Ajax will win this match, having got through a tough match with Lyon, and put away a flat, mid-table Willem II side that will struggle to deal with Ajax’s pace and attacking play.

I think most Ajax fans in the stadium will be more interested in what is happening in Rotterdam!

Michael’s prediction: 1-3

Jeroen’s prediction: Ajax usually do well in Tilburg and I expect it to be the same again. Unless they get slaughtered by Lyon, which we will not have known by time of posting the predictions, I do not see this going any other way. The quality of the Amsterdam side should see them win this fairly easily. 1-3

Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

               AZ v Utrecht

I won’t go into AZ’s up and down season here, but after another poor defeat away to strugglers NEC, John van den Brom must again be questioned in his role.

I believe this match will once more be a barometer for his team’s current capabilities in terms of tactics and attitude. That’s because Utrecht are good opposition, well coached and have some tricky players to deal with.

I really hope Erik Ten Hag continues with Utrecht for some time to come. I really think he will develop something special by keeping more of his best players past their anticipated Eredivisie “sell-by date”. If he can also carry on bringing through his youth products and maintain his fantastic work with the club, he will attract admirers.

Michael’s prediction: 1-2

Jeroen’s prediction: AZ can clinch 5th position and whilst FC Utrecht have had a good season this will be a tough away game. 2-1

Tip: Upon writing, Utrecht are an incredible 8/1 to win at AZ!

              Twente v Groningen

Another match between two capable sides comes in Enschede. Twente cannot qualify for Europe as they breached financial rules in the past and are simply playing for pride here, versus Groningen who have an outside chance for ninth place to bring Europa League play-off action.

For that opportunity, they must win here and hope Heracles lose at Feyenoord.

I was spot on with my prediction for Sparta v Twente last weekend, or at least I would have been had the linesman not ruled out a perfectly legimate goal for Enes Unal. Twente’s performance merited more and they showed again that they’re a very decent team at this level. Groningen have it tough here.

Michael’s prediction: 2-1

Jeroen’s prediction: Two revelations up front. Unal for FC Twente and Mahi for FC Groningen. FC Twente have had a good season and would have qualified for the playoffs if they had not been banned. Normally a win for the home side, as FC Groningen only surprised the side once in the past 11 years. 2-1

Tip: BTTS – yes.

                Go Ahead Eagles v Sparta

Go Ahead are down but may wish to drag Sparta with them, seeing as the visitors need a win and need Roda to do worse than their result to avoid the playoffs.

I think Sparta will do it. They don’t really deserve to be in the drop zone but I hope the club can pick up one or two talents from within the league for the next campaign to try and push on. Also, Go Ahead players’ heads will have dropped following their confirmed relegation.

Michael’s prediction: 1-2

Jeroen’s prediction: Go Ahead are already relegated whereas Sparta have all to fight for. A win should see them avoid the playoffs and I predict they will. Sparta will miss their first goalkeeper, but I do not see it being much of an issue facing Go Ahead. 0-2

                ADO Den Haag v Excelsior

Once ADO knew they were safe, they went on to be pummelled by Heracles.

That’s why I think Excelsior will pinch a win here. Fresh from surprising Feyenoord, confidence will be high and players focussed to deliver another three points.

ADO have lots of work to do in the summer as their defence is still pretty woeful.

Michael’s prediction: 1-2

Jeroen’s prediction: Nothing left to play for, I doubt both teams will bother too much. ADO will play a relaxed game and Excelsior has the quality to hold on to a draw. 1-1

               Feyenoord v Heracles

Everyone’s eyes will be on De Kuip. It’s a simple task for Feyenoord – win and they’re champions. Anything else and Ajax will take full advantage.

Gio van Bronckhorst did the right thing in his interview following the Excelsior circus. He remained calm and basically said they have another chance in the next match. The players were nervous and will want to put things right here.

The Rotterdammers’ incredible home record – I speak dangerously here – is what will win them the title.

The threat from the visitors will come in the form of the league’s second top goalscorer Samuel Armenteros. He’s in fine form at the moment and will be ready to exploit any lapses in concentration from his former teammates, which brings me onto my final point, Armenteros will be very keen to prove himself to the Feyenoord fans – in the cruelest way possible.

Michael’s prediction: 2-1

Jeroen’s prediction: Yes, Feyenoord will manage to win it and finally clinch the title. In 16 previous meetings, Heracles have won only once and drawn thrice. 3-1

Tip: Armenteros to score.

               PSV v PEC Zwolle

Sam Lammers featured in most of PSV’s highlights against Groningen last weekend. He looks to be a talent and should lead a new era for PSV starting next season. I hope some of the youngsters get a chance here to prove themselves ahead of the next campaign.

PEC say goodbye to manager Ron Jans, who’s been an excellent servant to the club.

It’ll be a casual, end of season affair, which may open the floodgates a little.

Michael’s prediction: 4-1

Jeroen’s prediction: A very simple game and win on paper, although PSV have had a terrible season. As have PEC Zwolle for that matter. Both teams lack form, but PSV have several players that should be able to convert a goal. 2-0

Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

Accumulator for all nine winners from Michael with a £10 bet returns: £13,057.80

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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)

Week 33: 4 results, 2 correct scores (versus writer Mark Neale)




Michael Statham (802 Posts)

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