All posts by Will Burns

Eerste Divisie Week 3 Round-up

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The third round of Eerste Divisie fixtures began on Friday evening, with all teams in action that evening in the league, round three consisted of 33 goals and five red cards recorded writes Kalkeren Kieran.

De Goffert stadium in Nijmegen was the venue for NEC’s game against Fortuna Sittard. The home side opened the scoring on the 27th minute as Christian Santos beat Fortuna’s goalkeeper and captain Ferhart Kaya. It didn’t take long and Ruud Brood’s men had their second goal of the night, this time Sjoerds Ards netted for the home side on the 29th minute making it 2-0. Although the celebrations were cut short when Seku Conneh scored for the away side on the 31st minute and at half time NEC led 2-1. In the second half, Brood’s men netted three more times without any answer from the visiting team, Paco van Moorsel, Tom Daemen and Niels Vets all got their names on the scoresheet to the delight of the 8,500 capacity crowd. Former PSV defender Dennis Dengering of Fortuna was shown a straight red in the 61st minute, which resulted in a penalty being awarded to the home side. The match finished 5-1 making it three wins out of three for the Nijmegen club. Peter van Vossen will be disappointed with his team’s performance in the final third, as they failed to convert several chances in the first half.

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Roda JC played host to Jean Paul de Jong’s FC Eindhoven and they got off to a great start as Marc Hoecher scored in the ninth minute. The score remained the same until the home side extended their lead on the 54th minute through Johan Plats. Eindhoven pulled one back on 66 minutes when Jens van Son netted but it wasn’t enough and the Limburg side held the lead, the match finished 2-1. It wasn’t all plain sailing for the home side and they will be without Tom van Hyfte and Henk Dijkhuizen for next’s weeks match, as both Roda players seen were awarded red cards by referee Reinold Wiedemeijer.

Achilles 29 travelled to Telstar and Francois Gesthuizen’s men took the lead in the 20th minute through Ralf Seuntjens. The hosts doubled their lead in the 66th minute when Kevin van Essen beat Ter Wielen and sent Gesthuizens side into a comfortable two goal lead, which sealed all three points for Telstar and sent Achilles 29 back home empty handed. Achilles have yet to earn any points in their opening three matches, leaving them bottom of the Eerste Divisie.

VVV Venlo defeated De Graafschap with the only goal of the game came from VVV’s Abdelaziz Khalouta. Another win for Venlo who will be hoping they can continue to beat other teams considered to be contenders like De Graafschap. In round four, VVV travel to FC Oss and De Graafschap host RKC Waalwijk.

Sparta Rotterdam continue to impress under manager Gert Kruys, they travelled to MVV Maastricht and took the win. Kenny Teijesse and Thomas Verhaar both scored for the visitors and it finished 2-0 to the delight of the travelling support.

RKC Waalwijk travelled to FC Den Bosch and the match looked like it was all over when Sandro Calabro found the net in the 84th minute to make it 2-1. FC Den Bosch were down to ten men from an earlier straight red shown to Edoardo Ceria from referee Allard Lindhout. The hosts showed great character and scored twice in the closing minute of normal time to take to victory. Joey Belterman and Erik Quekel scored for Ruud Kaiser’s side, with an added four minutes of stoppage time.

Jaap Stam’s Jong Ajax were destroyed 5-0 by FC Volendam at home in an ill disciplined match for Stam’s men. Ajax’s keeper Peter Leeuwenburgh and Richairo Zivkovic were both sent off by referee Davey Otto. After scoring four goals in the opening round of the season, Robert Muhren got his name back on the score sheet as he netted twice for his side. Henry Schilder, Guyon Philips and Henk Veerman all scored for Volendam as Robert Muhren has now scored six in three games, he is certainly hot property for any side in the Eredivisie.

Jong PSV were also on the end of a 5-0 defeat to FC Emmen. Joop Gall’s side went ahead after just four minutes through Luis Pedro Da Silva Ferreria. Cas Peters went on to score a hat-trick as he netted all three goals in just under twenty minutes. Emmen’s Leandro Resida also scored for Joop Gall’s side as they dished out rounded out the five goal win.

Jong Twente’s Jari Oosterwjk’s 90th minute goal separated the two teams as Fred Grim’s Almere City were denied of a point for their efforts. Twente’s Oosterwijk netted in a last gasp attack to give the travelling fans that made the journey to the Almere City stadium, a welcome trip back to Enschede.

Stanley Elber was on the scoresheet for Helmond Sport for a second week running, as Helmond defeated FC Oss 2-1. The home side scored twice, first from Elber and then Oumar Diouck although Oss got a consolation goal through Dennis Janssen.

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Eredivisie Team Of The Week – Round 3

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Welcome to week three of our Eredivisie Team of the Week which leads into our Eredivisie ‘Player of the Season’ competition.  All players have performed so well this weekend that Martijn Hilhorst and Will Burns have decided they should be in our team of the week.  Each player in the eleven receives one point and whichever player is declared ‘Player of the Week’, he receives an extra point.

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GOALKEEPER

JEROEN ZOET (PSV): Second week in a row for Zoet after keeping Ajax at bay to clinch a vital 3-1 win for PSV in the title race, even this early on in the season.

DEFENDERS

JOSHUA BRENET (PSV): The young defender held firm against the likes of Lasse Schone and Davy Klaassen on Sunday and made attacking runs with ease.

MAIKEL VAN DER WERFF (PEC Zwolle): The big defender, who missed a penalty in the Europa League midweek, made amends with a great performance capped off with a free-kick goal in the 2-1 win over Vitesse.

LUCAS BIJKER (SC Cambuur): Man of the match in the 1-0 win over Heracles on Friday with a match-saving tackle in the dying seconds of the game.

AARON MEIJERS (ADO Den Haag): Sitting in at left-back, Meijers linked play up well and caused many problems to Groningen in ADO’s 3-0 win on Sunday.

MIDFIELDERS

ALI MESSAOUD (Willem II): An influential performance topped off with a great goal leading Willem II to their first win of the season, 3-0 over AZ Alkmaar.

ROLAND ALBERG (ADO Den Haag): Alberg is playing the best football of his life at the moment and created two excellent goals to dispatch FC Groningen with ease 3-0.

GEORGINIO WIJNALDUM (PSV): Wijnaldum is in the TOTW for the second week in a row and was a constant threat to Frank de Boer’s Ajax on Sunday. Four shots and four successful dribbles earns his another week in our team.

ATTACKERS

ADNANE TIGAHOUDINI (NAC Breda): Young winger Tigahoudini frightened the life out of FC Twente’s defenders and won his side an unlikely point against FC Twente.

LUCIANO NARSINGH (PSV): Narsingh was excellent and looked back to his best so his named our Player Of The Week. With an assist and an excellent goal, Narsingh combined with Depay looks a mouthwatering prospect this season for PSV.

TOMMY OAR (FC Utrecht): The young Australian seems to improve every time he plays and created both goals in Utrecht’s shock win against Feyenoord.

Click here to see the ‘Player of the Season’ standings.

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EREDIVISIE: Ajax 1-3 PSV

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SUNDAY 24TH AUGUST 2014

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AJAX 1 – 3 PSV

It was a great match between Ajax and PSV Eindhoven in ‘De Topper’ with lots of goals and entertainment. The away side ran out 3-1 winners at the Amsterdam ArenA, proving themselves as title challengers reports Jake Jackman.

It’s always exciting when Ajax and PSV Eindhoven meet in the Eredivisie and this match was no different, especially as many are tipping PSV to be serious challengers for the title this season. Ricardo van Rhijn was back in the starting eleven after his serious injury, while Daley Blind started in midfield, despite interest from Manchester United. The visitors had Kerim Rekik back in their defence, after he was again signed on a loan deal.  Memphis Depay had an early chance, but blazed over from the edge of the area. Ajax also had a good early opportunity as Davy Klaassen’s powerful header was saved well by Jeroen Zoet.

Ajax took the lead after 16 minutes after Anwar El Ghazi glanced a header over Jeroen Zoet who was closing down the youngster. The delivery from Klaassen was exceptional, but Zoet’s positioning was poor, don’t let that take away from the goal though, as it was a wonderful bit of quick thinking from El Ghazi on his first league start. The goal was perhaps against the run of play after PSV’s impressive start. The home side nearly doubled their lead, after a powerful run from Nicolai Boilesen, who played a one two with Lasse Schone, forced a good save out of Zoet with a low powerful shot inside the box.

Georginio Wijnaldum was one of the best players on the pitch in the first half, dictating play in the Ajax half when PSV had possession of the football and he forced a save from Jasper Cillessen mid way through the first 45 minutes. Calamity nearly struck for the away side as Van Rhijn’s ball was nearly sliced in by Joshua Brenet. His poor clearance could have went anyway, but luckily for Phillip Cocu’s men, it went wide.

Ajax started the second half on the front foot, with the right hand side of El Ghazi and Van Rhijn looking really good, but just minutes into the second half, the former had to be withdrawn. Ajax will be hoping that the injury isn’t too serious as the youngster has looked excellent in the opening few matches. Although the home side nearly doubled their lead through Schone, it was PSV who scored the first goal of the second half as Luciano Narsingh got past the Ajax defence utilising his pace, before he squared it to Memphis Depay, who slotted into an empty net. It was the Dutchman’s fifth Eredivisie goal of the season.

The pressure continued to build with Narsingh and Depay showing exactly why they are among the most talented attackers in the Eredivisie and it was the former who scored PSV’s second goal. Luuk de Jong picked up the ball in the Ajax half and played a perfectly weighted ball through to the winger who finished calmly past the Ajax keeper. The away side were showing exactly why many feel they will be title challengers this year.

The home side were pressing hard for an equaliser and came so close after Niklas Moisander was through one on one with Zoet, but fluffed his lines as his shot flew widely over the bar. Frank de Boer would have wished that chance had fallen to one of his forward players as it was the perfect chance to equalise.

Ajax continued to push for their second goal of the game as Schone fired just wide from a free kick, it was extremely close and PSV started to look nervy as they tried to take three points away from the Amsterdam ArenA. PSV always promised to be dangerous on the break and so it proved as they grabbed their third goal through Florian Jozefzoon who successfully got on the end of a long ball, despite pressure from Blind and Joel Veltman. The two Ajax defenders really should have done better.

Today showed again how pace exposes Ajax and other sides will have taken note of that. Especially in the second half, as Narsingh and Depay looked fantastic, while the link up play between those two, De Jong and Wijnaldum was brilliant. Ajax looked good at times, but PSV came here with a game plan and it paid off, they didn’t panic when they went behind and they showed their class in the end. The final week of the transfer window could prove pivotal for both sides as Ajax look likely to lose Blind, while PSV will look to strengthen further. This year’s title race should be intriguing, and like many said pre season, PSV will certainly be right in and amongst it.

TEAMS

AJAX: Cillessen, Van Rhijn (Serero 70), Veltman, Moisander, Boilesen (Ligeon 66), Klaassen, Viergever, Blind, Schöne, Sigthórsson, El Ghazi (Andersen 50).

SUBS NOT USED: Vermeer, Van der Hoorn, Kishna, Milik.

GOALS: El Ghazi 16.

BOOKINGS: None.

PSV: Zoet, Brenet, Bruma, Rekik, Willems (Tamata 53), Wijnaldum, Hendrix, Maher (Hiljemark 70), Narsingh (Jozefzoon 80), De Jong, Depay.

SUBS NOT USED: Pasveer, Koch, Ritzmaier, Locadia.

GOALS: Depay 52, Narsingh 63, Jozefzoon 86.

BOOKINGS: Rekik 12, Depay 61.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Luciano Narsingh (PSV)

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EREDIVISIE: NAC Breda 1-1 FC Twente

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SUNDAY 24TH AUGUST 2014

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NAC BREDA 1 – 1 FC TWENTE

NAC Breda have the skilful Adnane Tighadouini to thank after they grabbed an unlikely draw against a disappointing ten-men of FC Twente writes Will Burns.

The home side as expected started well and Youness Mokhtar and Luc Castaignos were unlucky not to score early on after going close.

The man of the match, Tighadouini, was causing problems all day on either wing. On 15 minutes, he should have given Breda the lead after achieving the almost impossible task of overpowering big Darryl Lachman on the left-wing, the Moroccan Under-23 international rushed through on goal but his effort flashed across the goal.

Minutes later at the other end, Twente found an opening after new signings Kamohelo Mokotjo and Hakim Ziyech combined, with the latter feeding the ball through to Castaignos in the area with plenty of space. NAC defender Henrico Drost failed to close down the striker and Castaignos has enough time to set up his shot and blast it past Jelle ten Rouwelaar in goal.

Like all other attacks for the hosts, Tighadouini was involved in what should have been the equaliser. The winger did all hard work for Erik Falkenburg who blazed his shot over the bar from yards out.

After Andreas Bjelland was booked for a bad tackle on Elson Hooi, Ziyech had a glorious chance to extend the visitors lead on 28 minutes. The former Heerenveen man was through on goal with only Ten Rouwelaar to beat, but he dragged his shot wide much to the delight of the majority inside the Rat Verlegh Stadion.

Twente lost goalscorer Castaignos to injury early in the second-half and were down to ten men on 55 minutes after referee Danny Makkelie dished out Bjelland’s second yellow card for bundling over Falkenburg on the edge of the area.

NAC thought they had equalised with ten minutes after Stipe Perica scored but was shown to be offside, however late on due to that man again, Tighadouini they grabbed the point in stoppage time.

Tighadouini hit a spot kick high in the top corner giving Nick Marsman no chance after he won the penalty from a late challenge from Tim Breukers in the 91st minute.

With all the talent at Alfred Schreuder’s disposal, Twente could be title contenders this year but will need to vastly improve on this performance. They first face Azerbaijani side Qarabağ FK on Thursday night to advance into the Europa League.  NAC Breda are relegation contenders but with the skills of Adnane Tigahoudini the task of staying up may be easier than expected.

TEAMS

NAC: Ten Rouwelaar, Drost, Amieux (Seuntjens 70), Damcevski, Ssewankambo, Falkenburg, Matic, De Kamps, Tighadouini, Perica, Boateng (Hooi 78).

SUBS NOT USED: El Allouchi, Sarpong, Babos, van der Weg, De Roover.

GOALS: Tighadouini 90+2P.

BOOKINGS: Perica 80, Seuntjens 81.

TWENTE: Marsman, Martina, Lachman, Bjelland, Koppers, Mokotjo, Ebecilio, Ziyech (Breukers 70), Mokhtar, Castaignos (Børven 48), Kusk (Bengtsson 60).

SUBS NOT USED: Stevens, Schilder, Eghan, Ould-Chikh.

GOALS: Castiagnos 17.

BOOKINGS: Bjelland 28, Marsman 90, Breukers 90+1.

SENT OFF: Bjelland 55.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Adnane Tighadouini (NAC Breda)

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EREDIVISIE: ADO Den Haag 3-0 FC Groningen

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SUNDAY 24TH AUGUST 2014

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ADO DEN HAAG 3 – 0 FC GRONINGEN

FC Groningen head into Den Haag undefeated and left soundly beaten and overpowered by Henk Fraser’s ADO 3-0 reports Will Burns.

For the 10,000 plus capacity inside the Kyocera Stadion the skies was full of sunshine when some of the country was experiencing heavy rain, and like the weather the result was not disappointing for the Den Haag supporters.

Early on, Groningen looked good with their star man of the season so far Jarchinio Antonia, a summer buy from Go Ahead Eagles, terrifying Aaron Meijers at left-back, and the winger could have put the visitors ahead within the first 15 minutes of the game. Looking lively as always, Antonia collected the ball and easily outpaced Meijers, then continued into the box but in his way of the ball and goal was former Liverpool goalie Martin Hansen. The big Danish keeper rushed out and blocked Antonia’s effort with his feet much to the delight of the crowd and Meijers.

At the other end, ADO may have seen an opening after some good work from striker Mike van Duinen seeing off Eric Botteghin and Tom Hiarlej he placed a perfect ball to Mitchell Schet who disappointedly blazed over from yards out.

The teams went in at half-time goal-less and ADO emerged a house-of-fire and went ahead on 56 minutes with a beautiful goal. New summer signing from FC København, Thomas Kristensen combined well with Kevin Jansen while he ghosted past the Groningen defence to slot the ball past Sergio Padt. Delightful passing to watch which tore apart the visitors’ back four and part of their midfield.

The away side looked to get a goal back immediately but Hansen held firm pulling off double saves on two occasions, first Tjaronn Chery and then substitutes Michael de Leeuw minutes later.

ADO hit two late goals to finish the game off both orchestrated by Ronald Alberg. For the first goal, Alberg lofted a perfect long ball up field into the path of Michiel Kramer. The striker held off the challenge of Johan Kappelhof and after spotting Padt off his line, sent over a first time chip to make it 2-0. Another lovely goal to send the Kyocera Stadion and Henk Fraser on the touchline into raptures. The second goal was created by Alberg’s pinpoint defence-splitting ball that carved Botteghin and Kappelhof up and Kramer finished with ease.

Groningen come down with a earth-shattering thud after looking to be a real roll at the start of the campaign, but a fantastic win for ADO Den Haag after two tough games against Feyenoord and FC Twente. Fraser looks like his side are bringing the great form of last season in this one.

TEAMS

ADO: Hansen, Malone, Kanon, Zuiverloon, Meijers, Kristensen, Jansen (Ebuehi 89), Alberg (Bakker 88), Van Duinen, Kramer, Schet (Houtkoop 88).

SUBS NOT USED: Zwinkels, Buwalda, Owobowale, De Vlugt.

GOALS: Kristensen 56, Kramer 82 & 85.

BOOKINGS: None.

GRONINGEN: Padt, Kappelhof, Botteghin, Kieftenbeld, Van Nieff, Lindgren (De Leeuw 69), Van der Velden, Hiariej, Antonia (Mahi 77), Hoesen (Islamovic 59), Chery.

SUBS NOT USED: Van der Vlag, Baas, Hateboer, Saban.

GOALS: None.

BOOKINGS: None.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Martin Hansen (ADO Den Haag)

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EREDIVISIE: Feyenoord 1-2 FC Utrecht

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SUNDAY 24TH AUGUST 2014

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FEYENOORD 1 – 2 FC UTRECHT

Fred Rutten’s Feyenoord crashed to a 2-1 defeat to FC Utrecht this afternoon in their own backyard in a poor performance writes Will Burns.

The talk pre-game was of Jens Toornstra, FC Utrecht’s attacking midfielder and star player over the last 18 months, who has agreed a transfer to Feyenoord to be completed over the next few days. He was present at De Kuip to witness his old side meet his new team-mates.

After a tough game in Ukraine on Thursday night, Feyenoord showed no tiredness as they certainly started the game on top forcing Robbin Ruiter to make saves early on. After Mitchell te Vrede, Elvis Manu and Jordy Clasie tested the goalkeeper, after relentless pressure, the hosts should have took the lead on 25 minutes. Ruiter parried a Jordy Clasie effort from outside the area into Tonny Vilhena’s path, and the midfielder tried to stab the ball home but Yassin Ayoub got back to clear the ball off the line.

On 33 minutes, young striker Te Vrede notched his third goal in three league games, showing tremendous awareness to send a looping header over Ruiter from a Clasie free-kick. Te Vrede is not seen as a replacement for Graziano Pellè by the Feyenoord fans or the staff inside the club, however, with his goal ratio, he is making a good claim for that lone striker role at De Kuip.

Before half-time, the hosts could have easily doubled their advantage. Te Vrede again causing problems with Ruiter having to make a point-blank save and Lex Immers crashing the rebound off the post. However, against the run of the play it was 1-1. Great work down the left from Tommy Oar overpowering Ruben Schaken, laid the ball off perfectly for Nacer Barazite to get his first goal for the club.

The hosts looked to take their foot off the pedal in the second half so Fred Rutten introduced Jean-Paul Boëtius and Bilal Basacikoglu to try and take the game to the visitors. However, Utrecht looked more dangerous and they took the lead on 72 minutes. Australian midfielder Oar once again involved, threading a perfect ball for eighteen year old substitute Rodney Antwi to break through on goal, power through the pitiful Sven van Beek and place a wonderful composed finish past Erwin Mulder.

A poor performance from Feyenoord who were coasting at the start of the game, however full credit to Utrecht who came back to grab three vital points.

TEAMS

FEYENOORD: Mulder, Wilkshire, Van Beek, Mathijsen (Karsdorp 80), Nelom, Clasie, Immers, Vilhena, Schaken (Basacikoglu 65), Te Vrede, Manu (Boëtius 65).

SUBS NOT USED: Hahn, Steenvoorden, Kongolo, Vormer.

GOALS: Te Vrede 33.

BOOKINGS: Clasie 36, Schaken 44.

UTRECHT: Ruiter, Van der Maarel, Markiet, Leeuwin, Kum, Janssen, Ayoub, Kali, Oar, Kallon (Antwi 58), Barazite (Diemers 80).

SUBS NOT USED: Verhoeven, Sarota, Cortie, Hardeveld, Boukhari. 

GOALS: Barazite 45+1, Antwi 72.

BOOKINGS: Janssen 78, Van der Maarel 90+1.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Tommy Oar (FC Utrecht)

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EREDIVISIE: PEC Zwolle 2-1 Vitesse

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SUNDAY 24TH AUGUST 2014

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PEC ZWOLLE 2 – 1 VITESSE

PEC Zwolle came back from a goal behind to defeat Vitesse Arnhem 2-1 in Sunday’s first game in an exciting but heated encounter reports Will Burns.

Goalscorer from two weeks ago Soufain Moro, a summer free transfer from FC Utrecht, began the game on the left wing in place of Ryan Thomas, who may have been struggling with fitness after midweek exploits in the Europa League. While Peter Bosz made a change in the Vitesse goal as Eloy Room started in place of the injured Piet Velthuizen and 17-year-old left-back Kevin Diks introduced for his debut for the club.

After a good half-an-hour pre-game of lashing down rain, both sides decided to exchange long range shots early on but no decent efforts to trouble either keeper. After the opening ten minutes, the visitors experienced a decent spell and they should have taken the lead when Kelvin Leerdam forced a good save out of Diederik Boer from a corner on 20 minutes.

The good spell paid off when Davy Pröpper opened the scoring on 23 minutes despite the great efforts from Boer to stop the shot. The midfielder found space on the edge of the area and the shot deflected off Joost Broerse, and although Boer got a hand to the ball, the shot skimmed off the wet ground and into the corner of the goal.

Leerdam should have made it after Valeri Kazaishvili put him through on goal, but when Boer close the midfielder down he fluffed his lines and scuffed his shot wide. Vitesse’s new Ukrainian signing Denys Olinyk found more time as a substitute after Chelsea loanee Bertrand Traoré pulled up with an injury on 28 minutes.

On 35 minutes, Zwolle could have been levelled after Arnold Kruiswijk fouled Jody Lukoki and a referee Dennis Higler awarded a free-kick. Lukoki floated the ball in and Vitesse failed to clear when Broerse arrived at the back post to smash a shot that was well saved by Room. After some tempers had flared when Maikel van der Werff and Olinyk clashed, the crowd became louder and at the other end, Boer was tested by Kazaishvili’s effort from outside the area that the goalkeeper parried away.

As the sun shone for the second half, the home side seemed more composed, however they only really bothered Room early on with long range efforts from Broerse and Ben Rienstra. After an hour, Ron Jans decide to mix up his attacking options with Ryan Thomas and Stef Nijland joining the fray replacing Moro and Necid.

Seconds later, Zwolle were level when Van der Werff’s free-kick deflected in off Guram Kashia to make it 1-1. The defender who missed a spot-kick midweek against Sparta Prague made amends with the goal.

Zwolle’s tails were up and Jesper Drost nearly made it 2-1 minutes later with a great header from Lukoki right-wing cross that flashed across Room’s goal. Vitesse had their chances too with Zakaria Labyad and Olinyk proving to be constant headaches with the former forcing an easy save out of Boer with a header on 75 minutes.

The hosts finished the game the better and fitter side, not showing any European hangover as Bosz, visibly aware of this, replaced the active Labyad for former Zwolle defender Ronald Achenteh to try and seal a point, however this move did not help his side.

Substitute Stefan Nijland took advantage of some poor defending from Vitesse with just two minutes remaining. Jan Arie van der Heijden was disposed by Lukoki and Nijland was on hand to finish to send the IJsseldelta into raptures. The former Ajax winger Lukoki could have added a third in stoppage time forcing a stop from Room.

Zwolle’s great run continues and the way they fought back in the second half will deter any doubters in thinking this cannot be a successful season and they will head to the Czech Republic this Thursday full of confidence knowing that only a win will do against Sparta Prague. Vitesse on the other hand lack a lot up front and recruiting a striker is must this week before the transfer window slams shut.

TEAMS

PEC ZWOLLE: Boer, Lam, Van der Werff, Broerse (Sainsbury 80), Van Polen, Rienstra, Saymak, Lukoki, Drost, Moro (Thomas 64), Necid (Nijland 64).

SUBS NOT USED: De Jong, Dekker, Pereira, Ioannidis.

GOALS: Van der Werff 64, Nijland 88.

BOOKINGS: Van Polen 41, Rienstra 58.

VITESSE: Room, Diks, Kashia, Van der Heijden, Kruiswijk, Vejinovic (McEachran 74), Leerdam, Pröpper, Labyad (Achenteh 84), Kazaishvili, Traoré (Olinyk 28).

SUBS NOT USED: Houwen, Mori, Djurdjevic, Bosz.

GOALS: Pröpper 23.

BOOKINGS: Kashia 40, Pröpper 41.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Maikel van der Werff (PEC Zwolle)

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EREDIVISIE: Go Ahead Eagles 0-0 FC Dordrecht

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SATURDAY 23RD AUGUST 2014

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GO AHEAD EAGLES 0 – 0 FC DORDRECHT

After a poor goal-less draw, Go Ahead Eagles are still without a win  this season after three games as Eredivisie newcomers FC Dordrecht continued their great start with a good away point in Deventer reports Will Burns.

The Eagles as always in front of their home fans started resolutely especially with Lesley de Sa bombing down the right-wing. However, the hosts failed to create any decent opportunities.

As per usual, Deniz Türüç was lively throughout and stung Dordrecht keeper Filip Kurto’s hands on 20 minutes with a long range effort and despite both sides exchanging 26 efforts towards goal, this was only one of four on targets the whole game.

In the second half, Eagles tried to breach the Dordrecht defence with striker Alex Schalk unable to break Kurto’s net.

A great point for Dordrecht who now sit on four points from three games which sits them in them mid-table. Go Ahead have a poor one point in three matches sitting them just above Heracles who are in last place.

TEAMS

GO AHEAD: Cummins, Nieuwpoort, Vriends, Van der Linden, Schenk, Van Ooijen (Reimerink 69), Overgoor, Türüc, De Sa (Lewis 80), Kolder, Schalk.

SUBS NOT USED: Van der Hart, Rijsdijk, De Bondt, Van der Meer, Ten Den.

GOALS: None.

BOOKINGS: None.

DORDRECHT: Kurto, Fortes, Haddad, Troost-Ekong, Peersman, Gosens, Van Haaren, Van Overeem, Pisas (Meulens 59), Lieder (Ten Voorde 62), Korte.

SUBS NOT USED: Te Loeke, Alisic, Vet, Van Deelen, Hamdaoui.

GOALS: None.

BOOKINGS: Fortes 83.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Marvin Peersman (FC Dordrecht)

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EREDIVISIE: Heerenveen 2-0 Excelsior

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SATURDAY 23RD AUGUST 2014

Heerenveen-Excelsior

HEERENVEEN 2 – 0 EXCELSIOR

Heerenveen fans must have been nervous about life after Alfred Finnbogason and even more so over the past week after FC Twente took Hakim Ziyech out of the side too. Although there is a new guy in town, his name is Sam Larsson. A young winger who top Swedish journalist Markus Wulcan tipped for greatness. Along with the excellent skills of Daley Sinkgraven, Larsson showed a glimspe of this and provided a goal against Excelsior on Saturday night in Heerenveen’s 2-0 win that may have calmed down those fans’ fears writes Will Burns.

Dwight Lodeweges not only handed a debut to Larsson but to Morten Thorsby also with this week’s new signing Jeroen Lumu, formerly of Willem II, started on the bench.

The home side should have been a goal up early in the game after Stefano Marzo skipped past Elso Brito on the right-wing and decided to pop a shot off himself but blasted his effort way over the bar.

The first half was a tight affair and mostly consisted of midfield battles; however Excelsior were unlucky no to head into the break a goal up after a great chance from captain Sander Fischer. From a right-wing free kick Fischer received the ball on the edge of the box and smashed a shot right down the middle of the goal but Heerenveen stopper Kristoffer Nordfeldt was on hand to tip the shot onto the bar, much to the home fans delight.

Heerenveen had a decent chance which striker Mark Uth made a right pig’s ear of just before the half-time whistle. Larsson switched a wonderful ball over to Luciano Slagveer on the opposite wing, and Slagveer proceeded to pop a lovely ball into the area for Uth. The striker got it all wrong and eventually headed the ball away from goal instead of testing Jordy Deckers in the Excelsior goal.

Just after the break after Slagveer hit a low drive just wide, the impressive Daley Sinkgraven, only 18 year of age displayed great skill weaving in and out of the Excelsior defenders and the youngster threaded the ball through to Slagveer on 53 minutes, but Deckers held firm and made a vital stop.

The action really started to build with just eight minutes to go when Excelsior threw away what could have been a good point. After Sinkgraven again put Slagveer through on goal, hesitation from Deckers and Kevin van Dierman let Slagveer take control of the ball. The led to Deckers bringing the winger down and referee Edwin van der Graff point to the spot and dismissed the goalkeeper immediately.

With the visitors using all three subs, midfielder Kevin Vermuelen had to pull on Decker’s green shirt and do a stint in goal. He could do nothing about Martin de Roon’s spot kick and Heerenveen were ahead.

With the ten-men, Excelsior pressed for an equaliser however as usual in these cases it worked to their disadvantage as Heerenveen substitute Yanic Wildschut nearly made them pay with five minutes to go with a great counter attack. However, stand-in keeper Vermuelen made a great stop with his feet.

Minutes later, it was two and Sam Larsson capped off his debut with a goal that cemented all three points for his side. Great work again from Wildschut running at the retreating Excelsior defence, as he played the ball through the fast Larsson rushing down the right-wing. The young Swede used great composure to hit a first-time finish superbly to clinch the points.

TEAMS

HEERENVEEN: Nordfeldt, Marzo, Buijs (Otigba 59), Van Aken, Van Anholt, Thorsby (Lumu 70), Sinkgraven, De Roon, Slagveer, Uth (Wildschut 78), Larsson.

SUBS NOT USED: Schmidt, Raitala, De Fockert, Van Amersfoort.

GOALS: De Roon 84P, Larsson 89.

BOOKINGS: Uth 35, Otigba 64.

EXCELSIOR: Deckers, Karami, Van Dieren, Kruijs, Fischer, Botaka, Auassar, Van Weert (Maletic 73), Stans (Vermeulen 69), Van Mieghem (Gouriye 80), Brito.

SUBS NOT USED: Kuipers, Mattheij, Damen, Bovenberg.

GOALS: None.

BOOKINGS: Brito 61.

SENT OFF: Deckers 82.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Daley Sinkgraven (Heerenveen)

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EREDIVISIE: Willem II 3-0 AZ Alkmaar

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SATURDAY 23RD AUGUST 2014

WillemII-AZAlkmaar

WILLEM II 3 – 0 AZ ALKMAAR

Willem II blew AZ Alkmaar away 3-0 on Saturday evening to show that the Eredivisie newcomers are not pushovers writes Will Burns.

The hosts dominated throughout the first-half and nearly got off to a flyer after just three minutes had it not been for Robbie Haemhouts blazing over from just ten yards out.

The Tilburg side did take the lead after just 14 minutes of play through Brazilian striker Bruno Andrade after Ben Sahar capitalised on a terrible mistake by AZ right-back Matías Johansson. Caught in the corner with the ball with Sahar hunting him down, the Swedish international laid the ball into the path of goalkeeper Esteban. The pass did not reach and the Israeli striker nicked the ball away, laid into Andrade inside the box who tapped home. AZ coach Marco van Basten did not looked impressed as his opposite number, Pierluigi Collina-lookalike Jurgen Streppel, punched the air with delight.

Goalscorer Andrade did not last long after his goal picking up a calf strain and was replaced by the always energetic Charlton Vicento on 20 minutes. AZ had injury troubles too with Markus Henriksen being forced off with a knock for Thom Haye some six minutes later.

Streppel’s men nearly doubled their advantage on 28 minutes as Sahar and Ali Messaoud, formerly of AZ, linked up well before the latter rattled the foot of the post with a low drive, however a minute later Messaoud would have more luck.

A long throw from Tim Cornelisse caused major problems for the AZ defence and the ball fell perfectly in the area for Messaoud. Holding off the challenge of Jeffrey Gouweleeuw, the midfielder placed a shot which again hit the post, however the rebound landed at his feet to tap home to make it 2-0.

AZ obviously desperate for a goal pressed for the remainder of the first half but returning goalkeeper Kostas Lamprou, suspended last weekend, dealt with only weak efforts from the poor attack of Guus Hupperts, Mikhail Rosheuvel and Muamer Tankovic.

After a slow start to the second period, AZ came close. Substitute Thom Haye rose above everyone at the front post from a Hupperts corner but Lamprou did really well to tip the ball over as the 9,500 inside the Koning Willem II Stadion erupted out of their seats.

As AZ continued to press, Willem II sealed the game off with a third with five minutes to go. Caught out at the back, Charlton Vicento outsprinted Johansson and clipped the ball over the onrushing Esteban to confirm the win.

AZ were very poor here and will need to improve vastly away to FC Dordrecht next weekend. Willem II are also on their travels as they face Go Ahead Eagles in Deventer.

TEAMS

WILLEM II: Lamprou, Cornelisse, Peters, S. Wuytens (Van der Struijk 80), Heymans, Haemhouts (Ippel 75), Messaoud, D. Wuytens, Ondaan, Andrade (Vicento 21), Sahar.

SUBS NOT USED: Meul, Heerkens, Sporkslede, Derkx.

GOALS: Andrade 14, Messaoud 29, Vicento 86.

BOOKINGS: Ondaan 33.

AZ: Esteban, Johansson, Gouweleeuw, Wuytens, Poulsen, Gudelj, Henriksen (Haye 27), Ortiz, Hupperts, Tankovic, Rosheuvel (Elm 63).

SUBS NOT USED: Rochet, Luckassen, Hoedt, Haps.

GOALS: None.

BOOKINGS: Wuytens 37.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Ali Messaoud (Willem II)

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Eredivisie Week 3: Ajax vs. PSV preview and betting tips

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SUNDAY 24TH AUGUST

Ajax-PSV

AJAX vs. PSV (15:45 BST)

This Sunday, Ajax Amsterdam face PSV Eindhoven in a crucial early season match-up at the Amsterdam ArenA. Both sides are red-hot after two matches and the winner will have the upper hand in the hunt for the Eredivisie title, which looks to be a two horse race between the two clubs writes Alex Pieter.

Daley Blind & Memphis Depay

The PSV attack is firing on all cylinders after defeating NAC Breda by a count of 6-1 last weekend. The Ajax attack has not been too shabby itself, tallying seven goals in two matches. This match will come down to which side can defend better.

PSV has a strong central-defensive duo in the likes of Karim Rekik and Jeffrey Bruma. Jetro Willems is also a capable left-back however; the weak spot that Ajax must exploit is right-back Santiago Arias. NAC had success going at the young Colombian and Arias will face a much stronger attack this weekend. Whether he can hold up against the likes of Lasse Schöne, Thulani Serero, Davy Klaassen, Ricardo Kishna and Daley Blind will go a long way in determining the result for PSV.

The biggest question mark for the Ajax defence heading into this weekend’s showdown is the fitness of right-back Ricardo van Rhijn. Van Rhijn has been battling a hamstring injury throughout the summer, but hopes to make his comeback this weekend. Frank de Boer will have a big decision on his hands determining whether Van Rhijn is fit to start. The replacement is Ruben Ligeon, who has looked shaky at times in the first few matches. Another question facing the Ajax coach is whether to stick with Mike van der Hoorn at centre-back or go back to Joël Veltman. Veltman will be the starter in due time, but Van der Hoorn has looked solid in his first two matches. Ajax will line up with Niklas Moisander and Nicolai Boilesen as the other central defender and left-back, respectively.

Another question for Ajax is the striker situation. The plans Samuel Eto’o seems to have fallen through. As a result it will be up to Arkadiusz Milik, Kolbeinn Sigthórsson and Zivkovic to carry the load. Although Sigthórsson’s future in Ajax is in question, as a move to Queens Park Rangers looms, and his status for this weekend is still up in the air. Ajax will need big performances out of their wingers and attacking-midfielder Davy Klaassen.

The uncertainty in the Ajax camp is nothing new, as they are more than used to transfer rumours and injury problems. Last year’s captain Siem de Jong spent much of the season battling various injury problems as did Nicolai Boilesen. Frank de Boer is a seasoned coach who always seems to find a way to get the job done.

PSV have yet to reach their full potential. Adam Maher has not played like he is capable of, Luuk de Jong is still finding his feet in a new environment and coach Philip Cocu is still perfecting his rotation. They look to be Ajax’s biggest title challenger this year, with some even coining them the league favourites. If they are to be considered legitimate contenders, they will need to get at least a point in Amsterdam this weekend.

KEY PLAYERS

DALEY BLIND

By now most people know of Blind and what he is capable of. It is blatantly obvious Ajax are a much better team when Blind is in the starting line-up. They looked lost without him in the Johan Cruyff Schaal match against PEC Zwolle. He allows Klaassen to play further up the pitch, where he is most effective. Blind’s distribution also gives Ajax many added dimensions going forward and with the striker situation still in flux, Blind will be the key to unlocking the PSV defence. If he is able to find the likes of Ricardo Kishna, Anwar El-Ghazi, Klaassen and Schöne in space, it bodes well for the Amsterdammers. Blind is also adds extra protection in front of the backline, something that will be crucial against the high powered offense of PSV.

MEMPHIS DEPAY

There is no bigger name in the Eredivisie at the moment. Depay is on the radar of the top clubs from leagues across Europe and his future at PSV has been in constant flux. He is under contract at PSV until 2017, meaning if a club wants him they will have to pay up, likely in excess of €20 million. Depay is the focal point of the PSV attack, though they have other talented players in support, they will look to Depay to shoulder the load. It is not a matter of shutting down Depay for Ajax, he will get his chances, he is that good, it is a matter of controlling those chances and limiting them. If Depay is able to make the most of his chances and pick out his teammates it could spell big trouble for Ajax.

PREDICTION

Both teams are facing distractions, with each club dealing with transfer rumours regarding their star players. Additionally, PSV faced a Europa League playoff match on Thursday night. On paper, PSV has more talent than Ajax and there is little evidence to say otherwise. However, football is not played on paper and Ajax have a better team than PSV. Frank de Boer is the best manager in the Eredivisie and he has the Amsterdam giants headed in the right direction. Also, Ajax has home advantage, where they are extremely tough to beat.

RECCOMMENDED BETS

Ajax to win (9/10 – Bet Victor)

Ajax to win 3-2 correct score (20/1 – Bet Victor)

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EREDIVISIE WEEK 3: Sunday’s Preview & Betting Tips

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Five games on Sunday ending with Ajax vs. PSV in ‘De Topper’ for a preview of that game click here – for the rest, see below as Will Burns and Martijn Hilhorst picks their recommended bets for the remainder of Sunday’s games.

SUNDAY 24TH AUGUST

PECZwolle-Vitesse

PEC ZWOLLE vs. VITESSE (11:30 BST)

PEC Zwolle drew 1-1 in their first ever European adventure against Sparta Prague on Thursday night and Will Burns thinks their could be another draw on the cards on Sunday at home to Vitesse.

Zwolle really are the in-form team, defeating Ajax, FC Utrecht and FC Dordrecht before Thursday’s stalemate in the Europa League playoff first leg. One player that has impressed since joining a forthnight ago is big 6ft 3inches striker Tomas Necid. Formally tipped to be the next big thing in the Czech Republic, he has seen his career tail off after a big money move to CSKA Moscow.  Look for him to be a big threat in this game giving Guram Kashia and Jan-Arie van der Heijden a tough time.

Vitesse signed English midfielder Josh McEachran midweek from ‘feeder club’ Chelsea as the 21-year-old has also seen his progress falter at Watford and Wigan Athletic of the English Championship last year. Zakaria Labyad has made a strong start to the new campaign and without a out-and-out striker, he will be the visitors’ main threat, with two goals in last weekend’s 2-2 draw with SC Cambuur.

Expect to see a game with goals but at the end of the final whistle a score draw will be the finale. A 2-2 draw at Bet Victor is valued at 12/1 and this might be worth a small stake but the draw is a great 5/2 and look out for this to be the best chance for profit in Sunday’s opener live on Sky Sports 5.

RECCOMMENDED BETS

Draw (5/2 – Bet Victor)

NAC-Twente

NAC BREDA vs. FC TWENTE (13:30 BST)

Will Burns predicts that NAC Breda’s 6-1 thumping by PSV may effect them further as FC Twente roll into town on Sunday afternoon.

NAC recieved a right pasting last weekend and if it was not for veteran goalkeeper Jelle ten Rouwelaar it could have been worse. Adnane Tighadouini was the bright spark in that encounter and NAC coach Nebojsa Gudelj will look to him to inspire his team-mates to a better performance than last weekend.

Twente had a difficult trip to Azerbaijan on Thursday night in their 0-0 draw against Qarabag FK in the first leg of their Europa League playoff, however, Twente have enough depth in the squad to blow NAC away on Sunday afternoon. Hakim Ziyech is set to make his league debut and with him sitting besides fellow new signing Kamohelo Mokotjo in the middle of the park, is a mouthwatering prospect. Combine these two with Youness Mokhtar, Kyle Ebecilio and Kasper Kusk supplying chances for Luc Castiagnos and Alfred Schreuder has enough talent to compete for the Eredivisie championship this year.

Except a Twente win, and a big win at that. Twente to win is valued at 5/6 with Bet Victor but for extra value, Twente -1 looks a better bet at 21/10 and this is our reccommended bet.

RECCOMMENDED BETS

Twente -1 (21/10 – Bet Victor)

ADO-Groningen

ADO DEN HAAG vs. FC GRONINGEN (13:30 BST)

For ADO, with only one point after two matches, it doesn’t sound that good, but if you see the circumstances it is impressive says Martijn Hilhorst.

Den Haag faced Feyenoord (H) which the lost 1-0 and in the previous match away versus FC Twente, they eventually grabbed a 2-2 against them, however they deserved the three points, because Twente’s goals were lucky to say the least.

The last couple of years it seems that FC Groningen cannot win against ADO (home or away). Literally struggling every match against them and they have a bigger problem in the name of Henk Fraser and Ronald Alberg, the latter, a key player for Den Haag. The attacking midfielder has scored and assisted a lot under coach Fraser, just like last week when he scored against Twente.

Edwin van der Looi’s Groningen are on an impressive streak (8 Eredivisie wins in a row), but they have not faced big opponents in this period of time, only an away match versus PSV in March. Funny little detail: The last defeat from Groningen was 15th of March away at ADO Den Haag (2-1).

Because of the eight-win streak from Groningen, the odds for ADO Den Haag to win is ridiculous high at 7/5 at Bet Victor and they will win this match but not easy. However with Fraser as manager facing Groningen who could become overconfident, these are great odds.

RECCOMMENDED BETS

ADO to win (7/5 – Bet Victor)

Feyenoord-Utrecht

FEYENOORD vs. FC UTRECHT (13:30 BST)

Feyenoord have not started their season with joy. A draw in a home match versus a ten men SC Heerenveen and a lucky win away at ADO Den Haag while their European matches have not been positive either. Just this Thursday they only played 1-1 versus FC Zorya Luhansk. However, Martijn Hilhorst thinks times are about to change for Fred Rutten’s men.

The last couple of weeks there have been rumours about the possibility that Feyenoord will buy a striker due to the departure of Graziano Pelle to Southampton. There is only one week left of the transfer window which has saw a loan for Colin Kazim-Richards arrive from Bursaspor. Because of the continuous news about a possible new striker, the current one Mitchell te Vrede is not quite popular among the Feyenoord fans. The general opinion is that he is not good enough. Technically, he does miss some qualities, but as a pure finisher he started this season with some great statistics. Till this weekend Feyenoord scored five times in all competitions, four of them were scored by the young Dutch striker. So, a fun bet could be: Mitchell te Vrede to score the first goal at 19/4, but that is not our main tip.

FC Utrecht have not started good either after a deserved loss in the first match at PEC Zwolle (2-0) they faced Willem II which they won with 2-1, but their tactics were not the level you would expect. The last couple of years it seems inevitable that you will lose as a Eredivisie at De Kuip (apart from the top-tier teams). Every manager tries a different approach towards their players convincing them they will win, but there is a certain amount of fear when playing away at Feyenoord. Fans and the entire entourage makes opposition players shaky.

Feyenoord fans are dying for three points and Utrecht will be blasted away and will lose with at least two goals between them. Feyenoord -1  is great value at 21/20 at Bet Victor as well is the following bet: Feyenoord to win to nil at 7/4 . Both bets are great value and Mitchell te Vrede will make at least on the goals this Sunday.

RECCOMMENDED BETS

Feyenoord to win to nil (7/4 – Bet Victor)

Mitchell te Vrede to score the first goal (19/4 – Bet Victor)

Feyenoord -1 (21/10 – Bet Victor)

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EREDIVISIE WEEK 3: Saturday’s Preview & Betting Tips

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With just the three games on Saturday, Will Burns and Martijn Hilhorst reveal which bets provide the greatest way to make a profit.

SATURDAY 23RD AUGUST

WillemII-AZAlkmaar

WILLEM II vs. AZ ALKMAAR (17:30 BST)

The champions of previous season in the Jupiler League will face AZ this Saturday with the legendary Marco van Basten as coach. Willem II is 17th with no points after two games which is not surprising as they faced PSV (H) and FC Utrecht (A). However, now they finally can show how good they are says Martijn Hilhorst.

In the previous season, Willem II showed quite often that they were way too good for the Jupiler League. Dominating competitors with ease and eventually becoming the champions. Yes, they lost some great players and especially Ruud Boymans (27 goals) and lost two matches in a row, which is great for the odds we get here from Bet Victor.

AZ have gained three points after two matches. First matchday was a fairly easy 3-0 win at Heracles Almelo and previous week they were blasted away be Ajax in a home match (3-1). Head coach Van Basten was one the best players in Dutch football history, but as a manager he is not on the level you would expect. More than once was he accused of not being a good tactician.

For a small stake a Willem II win at 7/4 is way too high for the Eredivisie new boys on their own turf.

RECCOMMENDED BETS

Willem II to win (7/4 – Bet Victor)

Heerenveen-Excelsior

HEERENVEEN vs. EXCELSIOR (18:45 BST)

With new signings Martin Dalgaard and Sam Larsson ready to give Heerenveen a new look after the departures of Hakim Ziyech and Alfred Finnbogason, Will Burns thinks Larsson especially could hit the ground running for Dwight Lodeweges’ side.

New Swedish winger Larsson, 21 year old that signed from IFK Goteborg, arrived in Heerenveen with rave reviews and shocked Swedish journalists and fans alike that Goteborg could see their star player for so such a little amount at €1.4m was reported. With the departure of Ziyech to FC Twente last weekend, Lodeweges will need to find goals from another source as the midfielder was the scorer of both of the goals that Heerenveen have scored this season. Larsson can help with that problem, scoring and creating for others.

Tall and experienced Danish striker Dalgaard scored in a Heerenveen reserve game midweek and could push for his first starting place ahead of the uninspiring Mark Uth. After looking for value in this game, opting for a Heerenveen win with both teams to score gives us a great price of 17/10 at Bet Victor. With Excelsior well capable of scoring goals (three against Go Ahead last weekend) especially with the great threat of young tricky winger Jordan Botaka, this is the best bet in this one.

RECCOMMENDED BETS

Heerenveen to win with Both Teams To Score (17/10 – Bet Victor)

GoAhead-Dordrecht

GO AHEAD EAGLES vs. FC DORDRECHT (19:45 BST)

FC Dordrecht travel to Deventer in Saturday’s final game to face Go Ahead Eagles in a match that Will Burns thinks will end as a score draw.

Go Ahead Eagles have lost their last three home matches in Eredivisie and coach Foeke Booy knows that needs to change after losing their opening two games of the season. Against the Eredivisie new boys, this gives them a great chance to make amends, however Doredrecht have showed that they are certainly no pushovers defeating Heerenveen 2-1 on matchday one.

Dordrecht were defeated by the in-form PEC Zwolle last weekend and should give the Eagles a cracking test. With the Eagles already notching four goals in the last two games (both 3-2 defeats) look for goals in this one. Looking at the value in this one, the Draw is a fantastic 3/1 and this game could see two sides battling and exchanging plenty of goals.

RECCOMMENDED BETS

Draw (3/1 – Bet Victor)

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