Category Archives: EREDIVISIE PREVIEW

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FEYENOORD SEASON PREVIEW

August 6, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

Feyenoord

No team in the Eredivisie has been hit more hard by departures than Feyenoord. Despite Ajax claiming the Eredivisie title last season, it has been obvious since the World Cup finals that in fact the most sought after Eredivisie players were mainly playing for Feyenoord. When the likes of Newcastle United, FC Porto, Fenerbahce, Fiorentina, Lazio and Southampton were looking for new additions in Holland their port of call was Rotterdam writes Andries Oosterveen.

Sadly, Feyenoord in the last three years under Koeman had started to build a team and squad of players, who would have had the strong possibility of dominating the Eredivisie and making a name for themselves in Europe. The exits were inevitable due to the financial position of the club and the plans to build Holland’s largest football stadium. What Feyenoord under Koeman achieved in the last couple of years merits a trophy considering what he had to work with and the financial constraints. Unlike some football clubs there was no rich owner or backing of a multinational company to provide unlimited funds.

Feyenoord

New coach Fred Rutten will have to start from scratch and although, he will be helped by highly talented youngsters from Varkenwood, such as Ruben Schaken, Lex Immers and Jean Paul Boëtius, money is very tight and each transfer move be it permanent or on loan will have to be very well thought over, planned and scrutinized. Will Fred Rutten last the season? Should Ronald Koeman have been consulted over his replacement?

The defence has had its heart taken out of it with the sales of Bruno Martins Indi, Stefan De Vrij and Daryl Janmaat. The Australian right-back Luke Wilkshere has been bought in on a free transfer from Dinamo Moscow in what seems like a short term fix. He is joined by ex-Dutch international Khalid Boulahrouz, who joins from Brondby, which should add some extra experience to the defence. One cant help but think that all three were sold too cheap and will their replacements be adequate enough? Will the defence be mean enough?

On a positive note the midfield has not seen any dramatic changes yet but at the time of writing there seems to be strong interest in Jordy Clasie from the likes of FC Porto and Fiorentina. The highly talented winger Boëtius is also attracting the attentions of Turkish club Fenerbahce. Feyenoord though have managed to secure the services of the highly rated and talented winger from SC Heerenveen, Bilal Basacikoglu, who was in the top three for assists last season and has an eye for goal.

The excellent Tonny Vilhena seems to be staying at Feyenoord for this season at least and his partnership with Jordy Clasie will be crucial for when it comes to supporting the attack, protecting the defence and breaking up opposition attacks to break quickly. Overall it is crucial that they ensure that the strikers also will receive a good supply of the ball and this could also be the season when Ruben Schaken steps up to the plate as he could have an important part to play. Can they boss the midfield consistently enough for the season and provide the strikers with the opportunities they will need?

It is in attack where the team has been hit the hardest as with Graziano Pellè, Feyenoord had the perfect forward and his goals to games ratio was lethal. The pressure will be now on the likes of Lex Immers and Mitchell De Vrede to grab the vital goals but at least one more striker is needed. Feyenoord continue to be linked with Duvan Zapata of Fiorentina, John Guidetti of Manchester City, Jelle Vossen of Genk, Hector Villalba of San Lorenzo and Bas Dost of Wolfsburg. Will the goals come from a variety of sources? Will signing one striker be enough?

In conclusion, this is going to be a season of transition and rebuilding but a top three finish is the minimum along with victories home and away against 020. A cup run in Europe and in the KNVB Cup would be an additional bonus.

TRANSFERS INS AND OUT

IN: Bilal Basacikoglu (Heerenveen), Khalid Boulahrouz (Brondby IF), Luke Wilkshire (Dinamo Moscow), Warner Hahn (FC Dordrecht).

OUT: Bruno Martins Indi (FC Porto), Daryl Janmaat (Newcastle United), Graziano Pellè (Southampton), Kostas Lamprou (Willem II), Samuel Armenteros (Anderlecht), Stefan de Vrij (Lazio).

MANAGER – FRED RUTTEN

Rutten faces a massive task rebuilding but the 51-year-old is an experience manager capable of adapting to any situation. A former defender, Rutten always builds his play from the back and with the plethora of attacking talent at his disposal it should be an enjoyable team to watch in De Kuip this season.

KEY PLAYER – JEAN-PAUL BOETIUS

Boëtius is a 20-year-old winger from the Varkenwood Academy, his attacking style is hard to defend against. The combination of raw pace and technique with the ability to read the game has lead former Dutch greats to have high hopes for him. He can skip past opponents easily, outrun you, and because of his excellent skill and technique outsmart you. Man to man and zonal marking are very difficult as a result. Positioning, off the ball movement, knowing when to pass and remaining cool under pressure seem second nature to Boëtius. Former Feyenoord coach Bart Van Maarwijk stated “I think Boëtius is the best winger in the Eredivisie”.

PREDICTION – 3RD

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BET VICTOR EREDIVISIE TITLE ODDS: 33/1

HEERENVEEN SEASON PREVIEW

August 6, 2014 Will Burns 1 Comment

SCHeerenveen

All change at Heerenveen as coach Marco van Basten and the club’s all-time top scorer Alfred Finnbogason has both moved to bigger clubs, but Will Burns feels the Frisians have replaced well this summer.

Van Basten announced last winter that he would be leaving the Abe Lenstra Stadion after two years. Experiencing a great season at Cambuur, head coach Dwight Lodeweges did the unthinkable and announced in March that at the end of the current campaign, he would be crossing 30km over to Heerenveen. The Cambuur fans went ballistic and protested until Lodeweges resigned with immediate effect.

With vast knowledge of the game from all corners of the world, Lodeweges could turn out to be a great replacement. Lodeweges first major task at the club was finding a replacement for top scorer Finnbogason. The Icelander hit the net 53 times in just 65 games and earned a move to La Liga side Real Sociedad for €8million. Heerenveen went out shopping for a similar striker with a decent record and found Viborg FF’s Thomas Dalgaard.

Of course, the Danish attacker has some big boots to fill, however he has all the credentials to do so. In two years at Viborg, he has scored 50 goals in 75 games. Not a bad record at all and he should score goals in the Eredivisie. Especially, when he has a creative machine like Hakim Ziyech supplying him, the 21-year-old number ten scored nine times himself last term, with the same amount of assists.

Another casualty was the sale of Bilal Basacikoglu to Feyenoord. The Zaanstad-born winger notched six goals in 23 appearances last season and will be a big miss, especially going forward. Eighteen-year-old Norweigan winger Morten Thorsby was recruited from Stabaek after an impressive season in the Tippeligaen and will look to fill that void.

If all the new players, and the new coach, can get it together Heerenveen could have a good season. However, if not, mid-table obscurity beckons.

TRANSFERS INS AND OUT

IN: Jens Jurn Streutker (Heracles), Jordy Buijs (NAC Breda), Morten Thorsby (Stabaek IF), Thomas Dalgaard (Viborg FF).

OUT: Alfred Finnbogason (Real Sociedad), Anthony Lurling (FC Den Bosch), Arnold Kruiswijk (Vitesse), Bilal Basacikoglu (Feyenoord), Brian Vandenbussche (AA Gent), Chiel Kramer (FC Eindhoven), Christian Kum (Heerenveen), Joeri de Kamps (NAC Breda), Mitchell Dijks (Ajax), Rajiv van la Parra (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Ramon Zomer (Heracles), Uche Nwofor (VVV Venlo).

MANAGER – DWIGHT LODEWEGES

Coming from bitter rivals Cambuur at the end of the season, Lodeweges will face a baptism of fire when he returns to the Cambuurstadion in February with Heerenveen. The Canadian-born coach has broad shoulders and should lead Heerenveen to a top ten finish, although expectations inside the Abe Lenstra Stadion will be higher.

KEY PLAYER – HAKIM ZIYECH

One of the Eredivisie’s best and untapped talents, it is a surprise that Ziyech will be lining up in a blue and white shirt this season. Ziyech is an attacking midfielder with great trickery, a great mind and a great eye for a goal. He will lead from the front with Heerenveen this season, and new striker Dalgaard will thrive on the 20-year-old’s creativity.

PREDICTION – 10TH

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BET VICTOR EREDIVISIE TITLE ODDS: 150/1

FC UTRECHT SEASON PREVIEW

August 6, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

FCUtrecht

It was a nightmare season last term for FC Utrecht, but surely things have to get better asks Will Burns.

Finishing in tenth was a great end to a horrid season for Utrecht as they trifled with relegation for the majority of the season but it cost manager Jan Wouters his job. The season did not begin great for the team in red and white, eliminated from the Europa League by neighbours from Luxembourg FC Differdange 03. Most of the last season’s squad did not survive the cull, however, some decent replacements have been brought in.

Out went striker Jacob Mulenga and winger Cedric van der Gun as their contracts expired.Swedish pair Marcus Nilsson and Johan Mårtensson went back home as Frenchman Matthieu Delpierre left for the A-League and Melbourne Victory.

Nacer Barazite has been out in the cold the past few seasons at Monaco but looks to revive his career in Utrecht. Anouar Kali returns to the club for a second spell and Danny Verbeek joins from Standard Liege. Ruud Boymans’ 27 goals last year led Willem II to the Eerste Divisie title and he will lead the line this year in the red and white stripes. With creative midfielder Jens Toornstra still around, Utrecht could be quite the attacking force if they can get the tactics correct.

Unfortunately, the team is there however, the manager is not. The inexperience of Rob Alflen may hamper Utrecht and the fans could be in for another tough season.

TRANSFERS INS AND OUT

IN: Rubio Rubin (Free agent), Anouar Kali (Roda JC), Christian Kum (Heerenveen), Danny Verbeek (Standard Liege), Nacer Barazite (Monaco), Ramon Leeuwin (SC Cambuur), Ruud Boymans (AZ Alkmaar)

OUT: Aleksander Bjelica (Sparta Rotterdam), Dave Bulthuis (FC Nurnberg), Johan Mårtensson (Helsingborg), Marcus Nilsson (Kalmar), Matthieu Delpierre (Melbourne Victory), Steve de Ridder (FC Kobenhavn).

MANAGER – ROB ALFLEN

One has to wonder how Wouters has kept his job so long in Utrecht after a tumultuous campaign last season. His assistant Rob Alflen has been drafted in to replace him which is his first head coach job. A relatively unknown in Dutch football, Alflen started his managerial career at the youth side of Utrecht and worked his way up the ladder to the hotseat.

KEY PLAYER – TOMMY OAR

Australian winger Oar, fresh off a decent World Cup campaign, playing all three of the Socceroos games, looks to produce a better season than last for Utrecht. Even though, Oar is only 22 years old, he has made 91 appearances for the club over the last four seasons. He knows what the fans want and he will give 100 percent to deliver for them. If results and performances do not improve for his side, Europe’s finest could be ready to swoop next term.

PREDICTION – 14TH

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BET VICTOR EREDIVISIE TITLE ODDS: 11/4

PSV SEASON PREVIEW

August 4, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

PSVEindhoven

At the start of every season in Holland, Ajax enter as favourites and that isn’t surprising at all given their history and recent success in the Eredivisie, but this season they will have serious competition in PSV Eindhoven writes Jacob Jakeman.

The club have won the league 21 times, most recently during the 2007-8 campaign, while they are best known for allowing names such as Romario, Ronaldo and Ruud van Nistelrooy to make their name on the big stage. Many would consider them as the second biggest club in Holland, but they have slipped in recent years. Now they look to be making moves in the direction under Phillip Cocu, who will be leading the side for a second season. There were promising signs last campaign, finishing fourth, however they will be looking to qualify for the Champions League this season.

Although Ajax will still be considered as major favourites, they have lost their influential captain in Siem de Jong and they haven’t brought anybody in. While Frank de Boer is a manager who will interest a lot of clubs around Europe and if he leaves mid season, it could have damaging repercussions for Ajax. PSV are undergoing a transitional phase under Cocu, however they will be a lot more dangerous this season as their young players will be more experienced.

They have been active in the transfer market, securing the permanent transfer of very talented striker Luuk de Jong. Although he may have had a couple of poor seasons, he will be returning to a league which he has had a lot of success in. Plus he will be first choice, allowing him to feel less pressure and play his natural game. He scored 25 goals in his last season in the Eredivisie, if he repeats that for PSV, then they will certainly be pushing Ajax at the top of the table. It is believed PSV still want to add this summer, with Steven Defour a key target. Another one or two quality additions will really put PSV next to Ajax as favourites for the upcoming season.

Defensively, PSV have some decent players and could add at least one more before the closing of the window. Their goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet is one of the best young shot stoppers in Europe, having already attracted interest from bigger leagues, while he has been in and out of the Dutch squad for the past two years, despite not actually winning his first cap yet. Last season was his first as PSV’s number one and he was impressive, especially when it came to shot stopping, but he will be keen to enhance his reputation further this year. Meanwhile Jeffrey Bruma and Jetro Willems are both good young talents, who will go onto bigger things in the game. If PSV manage to re-sign Karim Rekik on loan, they will have a back five capable of keeping clean sheets, a rarity in the Eredivisie.

In the final third, the Eindhoven outfit have a number of talented forwards who will all make big contributions this coming season. The talented midfield trio of Luciano Narsingh, Georginio Wijnaldum and Adam Maher will provide PSV with a talented core to the side, all of whom have been capped by Holland showing their talent. They are all players who will attract interest over the next year and could be the next to move to a bigger league if their impressive performances continue. Meanwhile Stijn Schaars provides experience to the midfield and gives more protection to the back four. His partnership with Wijnaldum will be critical this season.

Although Luuk de Jong will be looked upon as the main attacker in the side, they also have Memphis Depay and Jurgen Locadia, who can both score crucial goals in the Eredivisie. PSV will see keeping Depay as the key to their hopes of challenging Ajax. He is without doubt one of the most talented players in the division and looked at home among the best players in the world at the World Cup. Although there is interest from the Premier League, he could stay in Holland for one more season, which would prove to be beneficial to both PSV and Depay, who may not get first team football if he moves this summer.

It will be fascinating to watch PSV this season as it’s clear they have a very talented squad led by an exciting young coach in Cocu, they will certainly be favourites to qualify for the Champions League alongside Ajax after the departures at Feyenoord, but could they have enough to stop Ajax winning another title? On paper, it appears they have a good chance with another one or two quality signings, as well as keeping Memphis Depay.

TRANSFERS INS AND OUT

IN: Andrija Lukovic (FK Rad), Luuk de Jong (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Remko Pasveer (Heracles).

OUT: Benjamin van Leer (Roda JC), Bryan Ruiz (Fulham), Karim Rekik (Manchester City), Matthias Zanka Jørgensen (FC Kobenhavn), Peter van Ooijen (Go Ahead Eagles), Tim Matavz (FC Augsburg).

MANAGER – PHILIP COCU

More than ever, PSV need an Eredivisie championship and if Cocu can’t win it this year he may be dismissed in what will be only his second season in management. A legend at the club, this could be the season he reaches ‘hall of fame’ status.

KEY PLAYER – MEMPHIS DEPAY

Flamboyant left-winger Depay, still only 20, had a breakthrough season last campaign. After Dries Mertens’ departure to Napoli, Depay made himself a regular name on Philip Cocu’s team-sheet, with the PSV legend having complete faith in the youngster. Appearing in four World Cup matches this past summer, while notching twice, Depay looks to go from strength to strength in what has to be his last season in Eindhoven.

PREDICTION – 1ST

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BEST BET: Draw (3/1 – Bet Victor)

EREDIVISIE WEEK 32 – Sunday’s Preview & Betting Tips

April 12, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

Will Burns returns with his selections for Sunday’s games and like all his tips, you will not see a ‘best bet’ under evens – good luck!

Sunday 13th April

AZ ALKMAAR vs. NEC NIJMEGEN (13:30 BST)

NEC Nijmegen are in dire need of points to survive but they face AZ Alkmaar that have won all but one game at home in 2014.

AZ are undefeated at the AFAS Stadion in the Eredivisie this year and I feel AZ will be too strong for Nijmegen who look to cement their Europa League playoff place this weekend. NEC are well capable of goals and have scored in every game this season apart from four and that’s in all competitions.

Dick Advocaat’s men have been winning at both half time and full time in five of their last six home matches in the league but after a gruelling game in Benfica this past Thursday, they may show tiredness. The fight for NEC to stay out of that bottom spot that Roda holds may just push them to give AZ a real test and an even game. Bet Victor have the draw priced at 3/1 and I see that as a great price to start the day.

RKC WAALWIJK vs. PEC ZWOLLE (13:30 BST)

Ron Jans is without a host of players through injury when his PEC Zwolle side travel to Waalwijk on Sunday afternoon. Goalkeeper Kevin Begois, defenders Trent Sainsbury and Leroy Labylle, midfielder Kamohelo Mokotjo and forward Densi Mahmudov are all out.

Zwolle will have one eye on next weekend’s KNVB Beker final in Rotterdam against Ajax and this may be a blessing to Erwin Koeman and RKC Waalwijk who are desperate for points to try and remove themselves out of relegation trouble.

An RKC win will take them one point to safety breathing down NAC Breda’s neck in 15th. Bet Victor value the Waalwijk win at 21/20 and I see that being our best chance of profit in this match.

BEST BET: RKC to win (21/20 – Bet Victor)

FC UTRECHT vs. HERACLES (13:30 BST)

With just one point separating them Heracles in 13th travel to 14th placed Utrecht. With just three games left in the league season, both sides know that there is a possibility of being sucked into the relegation battle.

Jan Wouters’ Utrecht have only won twice in the 14 games played in 2014 so far and I can see them failing again, however, sometimes Heracles can let themselves down. Two weeks ago, they startled Feyenoord taking the lead but two defensive lapses saw them lose 2-1.

For our best bet, Heracles Draw No Bet is valued at 11/8 by Bet Victor so if the match is drawn, your money is returned.

BEST BET: Heracles Draw No Bet (11/8 – Bet Victor)

AJAX vs. ADO DEN HAAG (15:30 BST)

Ajax could claim their fourth Eredivisie championship in a row this Sunday if Feyenoord drop points and they can defeat an ADO Den Haag side, that are undefeated since head coach Henk Fraser took over in February.

The great form has earned Fraser a contract until the summer of 2016 managing ADO to four wins and five draws. Fraser faces a tough task against soon-to-be champions Ajax, however, Frank de Boer is missing some key players. Daley Blind and Ricardo van Rhijn miss out due to suspension so Danish veteran Christian Poulsen will sit in the midfield, as young full-back Ruben Ligeon will take Van Rhijn’s place in defence.

Ajax should be too strong for ADO but with the Amsterdammers valued at 1/5 with some betting outlets, I see no value in that market. I look to goals and a trend I have noticed is Under 2.5 Goals with these two sides. For ADO, in their last four away league matches, there have been under 2.5 goals scored and four of Ajax last six matches have all ended with just two goals scored. Once again, Bet Victor offers the best odds with 85/40 being values for Under 2.5 Goals.

BEST BET: Under 2.5 Goals (85/40 – Bet Victor)

PSV EINDHOVEN vs. FEYENOORD (15:30 BST)

PSV in fifth host second placed Feyenoord in the game of the weekend in a game that the PSV must win if they hope for Champions League football next season.

However, Ronald Koeman’s Feyenoord are looking unstoppable at the moment, winning their last five games in a row and are now sit four points ahead of Twente in third. With just three games to go, they know it is their spot to lose.

Italian striker Graziano Pellè made his comeback from suspension last weekend, scoring twice in a win over RKC and he will be a real threat to PSV’s back four. PSV captain Georginio Wijnaldum made his comeback from a back injury last Saturday in the 3-0 thumping off Heerenveen, he however, could start from the off against his former club.

Both sides have goals in them but I can see Feyenoord edging this one with the greater firepower, especially Pellè. Feyenoord to win and both teams to score is valued at 18/5 by Bet Victor and this could be a big winner to finish the weekend.

BEST BET: Feyenoord to win with Both Teams to Score (18/5 – Bet Victor)

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BEST BET: Draw (11/4 – Bet Victor)

EREDIVISIE WEEK 32 – Saturday’s Preview & Betting Tips

April 12, 2014 Will Burns 1 Comment

Thursday he nailed a 6/5 shot and last night picked a big money maker at 15/4, Will Burns returns with his selections for Saturday’s games and like all his tips, you will not see a ‘best bet’ under evens – good luck! A treble on these today would pay a massive 25/1 at Bet Victor!!

Saturday 12th April

GO AHEAD EAGLES vs. HEERENVEEN (17:45 BST)

Heerenveen visit Go Ahead Eagles full of confidence after the impressive 3-0 win over PSV Eindhoven last weekend.

Marco van Basten will know this will be no easy task as Eagles have a great record at home with only Ajax, PSV and Vitesse have left Adelaarshorst with all three points so far this season. However, Heerenveen have a decent record against the Eagles, in their last seven matches in all competitions, Go Ahead are yet to defeat the Frisian side.

I think the last two statements back up our ‘best bet’ perfectly. Heerenveen are going to keep the undefeated run against Go Ahead in tact, however, they will not leave Deventer will the maximum points. Bet Victor are offering the draw at 11/4 and I can see this game ending all level at full-time.

SC CAMBUUR vs. VITESSE (18:45 BST)

Peter Bosz’s side held league leaders Ajax last weekend but it also means Vitesse are without a win in four games now and their chances of finishing the season as runners-up and qualifying for Champions League football are beginning to dwindle.

Since Dwight Lodeweges left, Cambuur are yet to win a game themselves in the last three games and for Saturday’s game, caretaker manager Henk de Jong is missing three first teamers in his squad. Defender Lucas Bijker and midfielder duo Mohamed El Makrini and Marcel Ritzmaier all miss out due to suspension.

Vitesse are expected to win this game but Cambuur can be unpredictable, especially in front of their own fans. I look to the goals market for our ‘best bet’ and since the hosts are struggling to score goals as of late I see ‘Under 2.5 Goals’ giving us the most value. The best price is at Bet Victor with the price at 6/5.

BEST BET: Under 2.5 Goals (6/5 – Bet Victor)

FC TWENTE vs. RODA JC (19:45 BST)

Jon Dahl Tomasson’s Roda travel to Enschede fully aware, that this is yet another must win game, if they are to have any chances of Eredivisie survival. However, they face FC Twente whom themselves need the points if they stand any chance of finishing in second.

Twente have a massive task ahead sitting four points adrift of Feyenoord with only three games left but with Ronald Koeman’s side visiting PSV Eindhoven on Sunday, there may be a small chance.

I see Michel Janssen’s men claiming all three points but it will be a closer game than you think. With the end of the season drawing near, you can expect the unexpected and Roda are fighting for their lives, therefore for value I look for this game to close with few goals. Bet Victor have Under 2.5 Goals at a massive 21/10 and I see that as our ‘best bet’.

BEST BET: Under 2.5 Goals (21/10 – Bet Victor)

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BEST BET: Draw HT/Groningen FT (15/4 – Bet Victor)

EREDIVISIE WEEK 32 – Friday’s Preview & Betting Tip

April 11, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

After nailing a 6/5 tip last night, Will Burns returns with his selections for Friday’s game and like all his tips, you will not see a ‘best bet’ under evens – good luck!

Friday 11th April

FC GRONINGEN vs. NAC BREDA (19:00 BST)

After failing to win any of their last eight games, NAC Breda visit FC Groningen tonight looking for points to claw themselves away from the relegation dogfight at the bottom of the Eredivisie.

Edwin van de Looi’s Groningen are looking to make it four consecutive league wins, this after going on a four game winless run and they look certain to be in the Europa League’s playoffs once the season finishes in four games time.

Although the last three games for Groningen have been all victories, they were drawing all three at the half-time whistle. Tonight’s best bet we look for this to happen again with Bet Victor offering a huge 15/4 for another repeat.

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ADO to take three points is being offered at 11/10 with Bet Victor and that is a great price for a side yet to lose under Fraser.

EREDIVISIE WEEK 31 – Sunday’s Preview & Betting Tips

April 6, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

Will Burns returns with his betting tips for Sunday’s games and like all his selections, you will not see a ‘best bet’ under evens – good luck!

Sunday 6th April

ADO DEN HAAG vs. FC UTRECHT (11:30 BST)

Henk Fraser, leading ADO eight games undefeated in the Eredivisie, braces the challenge of Jan Wouters’ FC Utrecht on Sunday morning.

ADO snatched an excellent 1-1 draw away to Champions League chasing Twente midweek to take ADO’s form to five draws and three wins in the last eight. You cannot look past ADO not to win this game against a Utrecht side that have not won away game in the Eredivisie since November last year.

BEST BET: ADO to win (11/10 – Bet Victor)

FEYENOORD vs. RKC WAALWIJK (13:30 BST)

Ronald Koeman’s Feyenoord are in pole position for Champions League football next season sitting in second four points clear of third-placed FC Twente.

The Rotterdam side will know that Vitesse, PSV and Twente will waiting for Koeman’s men to make a slip up but with Graziano Pellè back from suspension, I fail to see RKC Waalwijk being the side to do this.

However, RKC are well capable of scoring goals and have only failed to hit the net in four games all season. I predict they will breach the Feyenoord defence but the hosts will come out as winners. Feyenoord to be victorious with both teams to score is being offered at 6/4 by Bet Victor.

BEST BET: Feyenoord win with Both Teams to Score (6/4 – Bet Victor)

VITESSE vs. AJAX (13:30 BST)

The game of the weekend takes place at the GelreDome when Ajax arrives in Arnhem to face fourth-placed Vitesse. If Feyenoord taste defeat RKC and the league leaders beat Vitesse, Ajax could be crowned champions.

I feel Ajax will this game even though the last team to defeat the Amsterdammers was Vitesse in early November, however, that was 19 games ago. Since then, Frank de Boer’s men have gone 18 games unbeaten winning in 14 of them.

Vitesse have failed to win for three games and I would look for Ajax to add to their troubles. An Ajax win is valued at 23/20 from Bet Victor.

BEST BET: Ajax to win (23/20 – Bet Victor)

RODA JC vs. AZ ALKMAAR (15:30 BST)

The final game of the weekend sees the doomed Roda JC facing an uphill battle for Eredivisie survival against AZ Alkmaar.

Dick Advocaat’s side put in a great performance at home to Benfica on Thursday night and may be a little jaded heading to Kerkrade to face Jon Dahl Tomasson’s side, but they should have enough quality to see them claim all three points.

As AZ Alkmaar are undefeated in 18 of their last 20 matches against Roda in all competitions I see them extending that record and Bet Victor are offering 11/8 for the away win.

BEST BET: AZ Alkmaar to win (11/8 – Bet Victor)

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BEST BET: Over 3.5 Goals (23/20 – Bet Victor)

EREDIVISIE WEEK 31 – Saturday’s Preview & Betting Tips

April 5, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

Will Burns returns with his betting tips for Saturday evening’s games and like all his selections, you will not see a ‘best bet’ under evens. If you place all four of these results in an accumulator – you will get odds of 115/1!!! Good luck if you are having a punt!

Saturday 5th April

HEERENVEEN vs. PSV (17:45 BST)

Ernest Faber, covering for Philip Cocu, will be unhappy with his start last weekend falling 3-2 at home to Groningen while Heerenveen should have claimed all three points against Vitesse but were held to a 2-2 draw.

One thing this game will promise will be goals. For PSV, central defender Jeffrey Bruma is the only absentee for the trip to Heerenveen and is expected to be replaced by either Mathias Jørgensen or Jorrit Hendrix in the line-up. Club captain, Georginio Wijnaldum, after making a return last weekend, will be hoping to make his first start since the 14th September last year in a 2-2 draw with Twente. He may replace Stijn Schaars who is doubtful for this game with a knee injury.

Hakim Ziyech will be missing for Heerenveen and this could hamper the amount of chances created for Bilal Basacikoglu and Alfred Finnbogason. Rajiv van la Parra will return and young left-back Joost van Aken will be pushing for a start at left-back in place of the injured Mitchell Dijks after an impressive substitute appearance last weekend.

This could very well end up in a draw but PSV will press for all three knowing that they need points to try and catch Feyenoord in second for Champions League qualification. There have been Over 2.5 goals scored in 13 of Heerenveen’s last 15 home games in league but to get some value we will try and go one better. Over 3.5 Goals is valued at 23/20 at Bet Victor and I see that as our Best Bet in this one.

NAC BREDA vs. FC TWENTE (18:45 BST)

Twente head to Breda to face NAC without suspended duo Rasmus Bengtsson and Luc Castaignos and this may hinder their chances of victory come Saturday evening.

Third-place Twente have only won twice in the last nine games and after falling out of the title race, they know they need to pick up points before they lose the chance to become runner-up and qualify for Champions League football. Their form on the road has majorly contributed to their downfall recently after failing to win in their last five away games, however, their opponents, NAC are also on a bad run and have not won in seven games.

NAC have had some impressive results at home this season including recent draws against the top two, Feyenoord and Ajax. I predicted Twente’s draw on Wednesday at a massive 5/1 and I am going for the draw again at the same price with Bet365.

BEST BET: Draw (5/1 – Bet365)

NEC NIJMEGEN vs. SC CAMBUUR (18:45 BST)

Cambuur have experienced turmoil over the last seven days which is possibly set to ruin a decent first season back in the Eredivisie.

Head coach Dwight Lodeweges announced on Tuesday that he was to replace Marco van Basten at bitter rivals Heerenveen in the summer and the Cambuur faithful protested the following morning. So much so that Lodeweges resigned with immediate effect and the Leeuwarden side lost their midweek game at Utrecht.

Due to all the upheaval at Cambuur, I can see NEC Nijmegen, sitting second bottom and seven points from safety, winning and pulling away from the definite relegation spot currently occupied by Roda. Nijmegen are desperate for points and English striker Michael Higdon is on form banging in five goals in five consecutive games. I except this run to continue and NEC to get the much needed three points.

NEC to win is being offered at 5/4 with Bet365 and that is the best price for this one.

BEST BET: NEC Nijmegen win (5/4 – Bet365)

HERACLES vs. GO AHEAD EAGLES (19:45 BST)

Although Go Ahead Eagles head to Almelo with a poor away record (lost 7 of their last 8 away games in the league), they have a fantastic record against Heracles.

The Eagles of Deventer have been winning at both half time and full time in their last three games at the Polman Stadion in all competitions. After taking a 5-0 thumping from Feyenoord last weekend in Rotterdam, Fooke Booy’s side bounced back with a 2-1 at home to NAC Breda.

Heracles are in similar hitty-missy form after winning back to back games against basement sides Roda and NEC, Jan de Jonge’s men lost at home to Feyenoord but in all fairness put in a strong display and even took the lead against the Rotterdam side.

When looking at the result for this game, I have to opt for the draw. Both sides are not out of the woods as of yet in results to relegation trouble but Heracles (6 points) and Eagles (4 points) do have a little breathing space with four games to go. I can see this being a cautious affair with few chances and few goals. For the scores to be level at full-time, Bet Victor are offering 3/1.

BEST BET: Draw (3/1 – Bet Victor)

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For our best bet, I see this game ending all square and Bet Victor are offering a great 5/2 for the draw.

EREDIVISIE WEEK 31 – Friday’s Preview & Betting Tip

April 3, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

After nailing 5/1 and 2/1 shots in midweek, Will Burns returns with his selections for Friday night’s game and like all his tips, you will not see a ‘best bet’ under evens – good luck!

Friday 4th April

PEC ZWOLLE vs. FC GRONINGEN (19:00 BST)

It’s eighth versus ninth on Friday night as FC Groningen travel to Zwolle to face Ron Jans’ side who are looking forward to the KNVB Beker final this month.

Zwolle may have other things on their mind as they have already clinched a Europa League place, as soon as Ajax cement their Eredivisie championship win within the next few games. Edwin van der Looi’s Groningen arrive on Friday in buoyant mood after turning over PSV last Saturday night to end the Eindhoven’s side nine game winning streak.

As PEC Zwolle have only one league win in eight matches, I can see Groningen leaving the IJsseldelta Stadion on Friday evening with at least a point. Jans is without first choice goalkeeper Diederik Boer, ruled out through injury, however the defence will receive a boost with Bram van Polen and Joost Broerse returning from suspension. On the other hand, Groningen have an great record against Zwolle and are undefeated in their last eight matches in all competitions.

BEST BET: Draw (5/2 – Bet Victor)

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BEST BET: Feyenoord to win to nil (13/10 – Bet 365)

EREDIVISIE WEEK 30 – Sunday’s Preview & Betting Tips

March 29, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

Will Burns returns with his betting tips for Sunday’s games and like all his selections, you will not see a ‘best bet’ under evens – good luck!

Sunday 30th March

FEYENOORD vs. GO AHEAD EAGLES (11:30 GMT)

Feyenoord will arrive at De Kuip on Sunday morning knowing that a win over Go Ahead Eagles could take them closer to Ajax who face a tough game at home to Twente.

Ronald Koeman’s only two injury worries are Joris Mathijsen doubtful with a calf problem but John Goossens is set to miss action until the end of April so this should be a very winnable game for the Rotterdam side. The dream of Champions League football next year is very within their grasp, just two points off second placed PSV with a game in hand.

Go Ahead Eagles could do with some points sitting in 15th only four points from the drop zone but only wining twice away from home this season, I cannot see them causing Feyenoord a shock. In fact, the Eagles have been losing at both half time and full time in five of their last six away games in the league. Our best bet would be for Feyenoord to win to nil which is valued at 13/10 at Bet 365.

SC CAMBUUR vs. AZ ALKMAAR (13:30 GMT)

AZ Alkmaar and head coach Dick Advocaat have been preoccupied with Europa League and KNVB Beker competition over the past few weeks. They crashed out of the KNVB Cup on Thursday with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Ajax after some shocking refereeing decisions.

Advocaat will have to pick his men back up to face the challenge of the resilient SC Cambuur at the ferocious Cambuurstadion on Sunday. Cambuur have a great home record winning five or last six and AZ’s away form has been woeful with just the solitary win and six defeats in their last eight games away from the AFAS Stadion.

Advocaat will be aiming for the Europa League playoffs and should have enough quality to keep Cambuur at bay or at least match their scoring. Jody Lukoki returns to the Cambuur line-up after suspension and should be a real threat to AZ but I can see the scores ending level at full-time. Betfair have the draw at 13/5 and this looks to be our best price for this game.

BEST BET: Draw (13/5 – Betfair)

AJAX vs. FC TWENTE (13:30 GMT)

FC Twente have slim title hopes that could take a boost on Sunday afternoon if they can defeat Ajax on their own turf to move within four points of the leaders, although Frank de Boer’s men have a game in hand.

Ajax are seven points clear of third-placed Twente with just six games remaining and they are not playing at their best after injuries to Siem de Jong and Viktor Fischer have forced De Boer to make changes. However, after Thursday night’s hard fought win over AZ and an excellent free-kick from Lasse Schone the feel-good factor should have returned for the Amsterdammers.

Twente will start with two of the division’s most potent strikers in Luc Castaignos and Dušan Tadić, who boast 26 league goals between them this term. However, the guy supplying the majority of the assists Quincy Promes, is a doubt for Sunday’s game with a calf strain.

With Ajax having faltered slightly, drawing their past two Eredivisie games against SC Cambuur and NAC Breda, Twente will match up against the Eredivisie’s best defence knowing that only a win will keep their title hopes alive. I can see this one being a tight affair which I see Bet Victor are offering 11/10 and it’s a good price for Under 2.5 Goals, which is our best bet of the afternoon.

BEST BET: Under 2.5 Goals (11/10 – Bet Victor)

RODA JC vs. RKC WAALWIJK (13:30 GMT)

Jon Dahl Tomasson’s Roda and their Eredivisie status are virtually dead in the water after failing to two away defeats to Heracles and PSV Eindhoven in the last two rounds of games.

Both of these sides are in trouble and in dire need of points. Waalwijk are just two points (27) ahead of Roda (25), with both teams having displayed poor form in recent weeks. Tomasson has lead his side to just one win in the last nine matches, while Erwin Koeman’s RKC have taken a just a single point from a possible fifteen since thrashing FCUtrecht 5-2 in early February.

Both, Roda and RKC will see this is an opportunity to breathe some life into their relegation battle but unfortunately for Roda, I cannot see them scoring as many times as RKC can. Roda have scored just four goals in the last six games as RKC have notched ten. We will look to RKC at 17/5 offered by Bet Victor as our best bet for value.

BEST BET: RKC Waalwijk to win (17/5 – Bet Victor)

ADO DEN HAAG vs. PEC ZWOLLE (15:30 GMT)

Ron Jans and his PEC Zwolle will be buoyant after clinching their first KNVB Beker Final in 37 years on Wednesday night but travel to ADO Den Haag knowing that Henk Fraser has lead the home side to an undefeated six game streak since taking over.

That’s right, when ADO looked to doomed to relegation, Fraser has managed them to three wins and three draws in the last six outings and Zwolle are slightly depleted heading into this one with defensive duo Bram van Polen and Joost Broerse are both suspended.

ADO have struggled to keep clean sheets and I think the best bet looks like a ADO win with Both Teams to Score as Fraser men has not kept a clean sheet at home since November. Bet Victor offer 12/5 for this market and that is true value in what I see a great win for ADO.

BEST BET: ADO win with Both Teams To Score (12/5 – Bet Victor)

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BEST BET: Heerenveen to win (9/2 – Betfair)

EREDIVISIE WEEK 30 – Saturday’s Preview & Betting Tips

March 28, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

After nailing the draw at 13/5 in last nights game, Will Burns returns with his betting tips for the three Saturday evening’s game and like all his selections, you will not see a ‘best bet’ under evens. If you have a punt on these three in a treble, it will pay a massive 50/1.

Saturday 29th March

VITESSE vs. HEERENVEEN (17:45 GMT)

Vitesse face one of their bogey teams in Heerenveen in Saturday’s first game. The Friesland club are undefeated in 13 of their last 14 away matches against the Arnhem side in all competitions.

However, this is a game that Vitesse needs to collect all three points to stay in race for second place and after last week’s defeat to FC Groningen, Peter Bosz will have to quickly pick his men up. Meanwhile, Heerenveen threw away a two-goal advantage to draw at home to NEC last weekend so Van Basten will look for a better performance in Arnhem.

The hosts have problems is defence with Kelvin Leerdam and Guram Kashia suspended and Frank van der Struijk struggling with a hamstring pull, Bosz will have to ring out the changes in his back four. The likes of Hakim Ziyech and the Eredivisie’s top scorer Alfred Finnbogason will look to take advantage.

Heerenveen have Marten de Roon suspended but other than that should be full strength and well equipped to full off a shock in Arnhem. Betfair Sportsbook are offering 9/2 for a away win and that is our best bet.

NEC NIJMEGEN vs. HERACLES (18:45 GMT)

Relegation troubled NEC Nijmegen’s season went from bad to worse on Wednesday after doing so well to reach the semi-finals of the KNVB Beker only to be knocked out 2-1 by PEC Zwolle courtesy of an error from goalkeeper Dennis Gentenaar.

NEC have been unlucky with their stoppers as of late with Gentenaar only making a return to the side a few weeks ago after Karl-Johan Johnsson was dropped due to similar performances. Needing points desperately Anton Janssen’s side host 12th place Heracles who themselves are not out of the woods when it comes to relegation to the Eerste Divisie. The visitors are on 33 points, just six points ahead of the bottom three and could easily get dragged into those bottom three spots.

NEC have failed to win nine of their last ten matches in Eredivisie, however, they have just been defeated once in their last seven at home is heartening. I feel both sides cancelling each other out here and providing a result that neither team would like. Our best price in this one is at Bet Victor who offer 11/4 for the game to end level.

BEST BET: Draw (11/4 – Bet Victor)

PSV vs. FC GRONINGEN (19:45 GMT)

PSV are on a eight-game winning streak but they head into game number nine without head coach Philip Cocu, as the former midfielder had surgery to remove a benign tumour on his back on Thursday.

There is some good news for the Eindhoven side however, as club captain Georginio Wijnaldum should make the bench after a six-month absence with a back injury. Even without their manager on the sidelines, you cannot look past the in-form PSV to take all three points.

Groningen are without Michael de Leeuw and Tom Hiariej with young prodigy Richairo Zivkovic also doubtful for the trip to Eindhoven with an ankle injury that will be assessed before kick-off. Although Santiago Arias is doubtful for the home side, Joshua Brenet can fill in with Jetro Willems returning, the PSV defence should be so strong that Groningen will have great trouble in breaching. And with Memphis Depay and Jürgen Locadia on fire at the moment, I see PSV winning and keeping a clean sheet. Best bet is PSV winning to nil valued at 29/20 at Bet Victor.

BEST BET: PSV to win to nil (29/20 – Bet Victor)

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