Category Archives: EREDIVISIE

BIG LACHMAN TO JOIN TWENTE

January 29, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

PEC Zwolle’s Darryl Lachman is off to Enschede at the end of the season, as the 24-year-old central defender has signed a three-year contract with FC Twente.

Out of contract in the summer, Lachman will join Twente on a free transfer in June, but according to Zwolle’s technical director Gerard Nijkamp, he stated that it is possible that the defender could leave this week.

“The transfer window does not close until Friday at midnight, so it is uncertain whether Darryl completes the season with us so Twente wishes to take him earlier for a fee.” Nijkamp said Wednesday.

The 6ft 2inch Lachman has been a great asset for Zwolle this season, appearing in 16 games and helping his side to four clean sheets. His impressive performances have gained interest from the likes of PSV, Werder Bremen, Heerenveen and Fulham over recent weeks.

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EREDIVISIE, NEWS

VAN BASTEN TO LEAVE HEERENVEEN IN SUMMER

January 29, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

Heerenveen head coach Marco van Basten will leave the job at the end of the season, the club announced this afternoon.

The club have offered a contract extension to the former Dutch international striker, but Van Basten has made his intentions clear to leave.

“Marco has notified us that he has decided not to extend his contract, and he will be leaving at the end of the season,” Heerenveen released in a statement on their official website this afternoon.

“In recent weeks, at the request of the club, there were several discussions held between club management and Mr. Van Basten about the possibility of extending his contract, Howver, he told the club he did not have the same feeling. The club management regrets his decision but, at the same time, naturally respects it.”

Van Basten signed a two-year deal with the club in the summer of 2012 and last season Heerenveen finished eighth in the Eredivisie.

Van Basten’s coaching career began with Jong Ajax in 2003 but a year later he was named head coach of the Oranje, staying from 2004 to 2008, after which he spent a year at Ajax. He was then out of the game for three years before joining Heerenveen.

Just last month, Van Basten told reporters he had no desire to coach outside the Eredivisie, but where his next destination will be in unknown at this time.

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EREDIVISIE, NEWS, TRANSFERS

Heerenveen sign Lurling

January 27, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

Ten years after leaving for Feyenoord, 36-year-old Anthony Lurling has returned to Heerenveen on a deal until the end of the season.

Lurling has already stated that even at the age of 36, he wants to impress and win a longer contract at the Friesland club.

The striker, who will be 37 in April, arrives from NAC Breda where he has spent the last seven seasons, making 190 appearances scoring 33 goals.

Lurling had plenty of offers but chose Heerenveen out of them all: “When I was allowed to leave Köln eight years ago, the telephone hardly rang. Now I’m 36 and when NAC said I was allowed to leave, the phone has been ringing off the hook with Eredivisie and Eerste Divisie teams interested and also Belgian clubs.”.

Heerenveen’s director of football, Hans Vonk is delighted with the Lurling capture and looks to him nurture the young talent at the club: “Anthony is an experienced player who can play in many positions. We have a talented, but young team that could really do with the support of an experienced player like Anthony. Also, with Anthony knowing the club, this is a huge advantage which will make the transition that much easier.”

The move from NAC was arranged, after this past week, Lurling clashed with Breda manager Nebojša Gudelj after the coach has failed to select the player since the 1-0 win over Cambuur on December 21st 2013.

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EREDIVISIE, NEWS, TRANSFERS

Crystal Palace soaring towards Bjelland

January 27, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

FC Twente and manager Michel Jansen are bracing for a bid for Danish central defender Andreas Bjelland from English Premier League strugglers Crystal Palace.

Palace, managed by Tony Pulis, are currently sitting in 16th but only two points off the relegation places and are looking to bolster their defensive options with the 6ft 2 centre-back.

The 25-year-old will be a great asset to Pulis, who is known for his long ball football and uses height to his team’s advantage. The Dane is a master at aerial duels and his great concentration has helped Twente to helped four clean sheets this season when he has played, including a man-of-the-match performance in the narrow 1-0 away win to Cambuur.

The Dane always shows great discipline for a defender and has only been booked this season in 21 games for club and country. For the Danish national side, Bjelland has won 12 international caps and scored twice.

Bjelland has confirmed in the past that he has an ambition to play in England: “Where and when it will be, we must take time, but I have a dream of one day coming to England and playing.”

Whether or not Bjelland will be interested in a move to Palace, remains to be seen but as the London club faces some stiff competition from Russian giants CSKA Moscow for the defender’s signature.

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EREDIVISIE

Week 20 Eredivisie Report – Vitesse held, Ajax clear at the top

January 27, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

SUNDAY 26TH JANUARY 2014

Week 20 closed with just three games on Sunday as the Groningen-Twente match failed to take place due to a frozen pitch. The games that did go ahead provided great excitement and two more shock results to close the round of games.

SC CAMBUUR 3-1 HEERENVEEN

SC Cambuur provided their fans with a good day on Sunday with their first win in the Friese Derby since 1994.

Nigerian forward Bartholomew Ogbeche stole the show making his debut for Cambuur, creating one and scoring in the fantastic win. The hosts warmed up their fans in the Cambuur Stadion on a bitterly cold winter’s afternoon in Leeuwarden with a goal after just four minutes.

The goal was created by a long ball from the back of the Cambuur defence, Ogbeche rose above Joey van der Berg with ease to flick the ball into the path of on-loan striker Elvis Manu. Manu overpowered Christian Kum to win the ball and chip the ball over the onrushing Kristoffer Nordfeldt. The stadium erupted as Manu and Ogbeche wheeled away to celebrate with a dance at the corner flag.

Marco van Basten’s men should have equalized on 16 minutes by Leonard Nienhuis pulled off a great save to deny Hakim Ziyech. After Luciano Slagveer crossed from Ziyech just outside the area, Ziyech let fly with a right-foot volley but Nienhuis got across a tipped it out for a corner.

Just before the half-time whistle, Cambuur’s lead was doubled. Heerenveen’s on-loan defender Mitchell Dijks was penalised for a soft foul on Ajax team-mate Jody Lukoki, currently on-loan to Cambuur. The free-kick was given on the right-wing and Marcel Ritzmaier, also on-loan from PSV Eindhoven, whipped the ball into the centre. Once again, winning the aerial duel was Bartholomew Ogbeche who slipped Ramon Zoner to make it 2-0.

Heerenveen came out for the second half hungry for an early goal but they were unable to cope with the speed of the Cambuur attack and with just twenty minutes to go, the home side wrapped up the points. Manu slipped a defence-splitting ball through to Jody Lukoki who beat the offside trap and raced through on goal. With a one-on-one challenge with Nordfeldt, the 21-year-old kept his composure and finished coolly. The game was done and Dwight Lodeweges could be proud of his team’s performance today.

Before the final whistle could be blown, the inevitable happened as Alfred Finnbogason got a consolation goal for Heerenveen, his 19th goal in 17 games. However, it was an embarrassing defeat for Van Basten and his side and will look to bounce back next week at home to ADO. They now sit fifth and six points of fourth place. Meanwhile, for Cambuur the win lifts them up to 13th but they will need to build on this win to climb out of the relegation battle as Lodeweges men are still only three points off bottom side NEC.

TEAMS

CAMBUUR: Nienhuis, Droste, Van der Laan, Bijker, El Makrini, Van Moorsel, Leeuwin, Ritzmaier, Lukoki, Ogbeche (Barto 74), Manu (Manu 91).

SUBS NOT USED: Zeinstra, Van Boxel, Pereira, Bakker, Van Brakel.

GOALS: Manu 4, Ogbeche 44, Lukoki 69.

BOOKINGS: Lukoki

HEERENVEEN: Nordfeldt, Van Anholt, Dijks, Zomer (Sinkgraven 59), Kum, De Roon, Van den Berg (De Kamps 74), Ziyech, Slagveer (Wildschut 57), Finnbogason, Basacikoglu.

SUBS NOT USED: Vandenbussche, Otigba, Marzo, Fazli.

GOALS: Finnbogason 85.

BOOKINGS: Basacikoglu, Finnbogason.

VITESSE 1-1 NEC NIJMEGEN

Vitesse’s title hopes suffered a bitter blow as they were held at home against relegation candidates NEC in the Gelderse derby.

Vitesse stay second after the draw but it looked promising early on for the Arnhem side after taking the lead on the half hour mark. Star of last week’s win over PEC Zwolle, Christian Atsu whipped in a corner that found defender Dan Mori in the box who headed home past Karl-Johan Johnsson in goal.

The basement boys NEC should have levelled the game up before the interval, after they pressed and had Vitesse on the ropes for the remaining ten minutes of the half.

Vitesse failed to score another and paid the price with just twenty minutes to go. Danish forward Søren Rieks spun in a cross that the Vitesse defence failed to clear and Englishman Michael Higdon notched to tie the game.

The GelreDome crowd went home unhappy and even more so that title rivals Ajax defeated Go Ahead Eagles a few hours later.

TEAMS

VITESSE: Velthuizen, Mori, Van Aanholt, Leerdam, Van der Heijden, Pröpper, Vejinovic, Piazón (Traoré 68), Atsu, Ibarra (Labyad 78), Havenaar.

SUBS NOT USED: Houwen, Achenteh, Van der Struijk, Đurđević, Kazaishvili.

GOALS: Mori 30.

BOOKINGS: None.

NEC: Johnsson, Conboy (Leiwakabessy 77), Van Eijden, Haitz, Vermeijl, Rieks (Foor 65), Koolwijk, Štefánik (Mulder 88), Jantscher, Hemlein, Higdon.

SUBS NOT USED: Smits, Cmovs, Disveld, Castillion.

GOALS: Higdon 71.

BOOKINGS: Van Eijden.

GO AHEAD EAGLES 0-1 AJAX

Ajax struggled to find their finishing in Deventer on Sunday afternoon but a narrow 1-0 win means that they stay top of the pile.

As expected Ajax dominated in the early stages and should have taken the lead after just three minutes, if it were not for a shocking Kolbeinn Sigthórsson miss. Frank de Boer has his head in his hands after Bojan and Davy Klaassen had worked well to head the ball onto the Icelandic striker, but he fired his volley from just a few yards out straight in Eloy Room’s arms.

Ajax’s pressure was relentless but like Sigthórsson, Bojan, Klaassen and Lesley De Sa’s finishing was poor and unable to break the deadlock. Against the run of play, Go Ahead could have gone ahead themselves. Joël Veltman failed to head clear a Jarchinio Antonia cross from the right-wing but the defender got himself in front of Jeffrey Rijsdijk’s attempt to concede a corner.

The first-half petered out and ended goal-less but Ajax fired out of the blocks and were angry that they were not awarded a penalty after 51 minutes. Antonia bundled Klaassen over on the left side of the area, but referee Reinold Wiedemeijer booked the Ajax midfielder for diving, and the majority of the 7,938 attendance were cheering the decision.

De Boer needed a goal and quick and just after the hour mark injected some fresh legs into the attack with the double Dane substitution of Lasse Schöne and Viktor Fischer on for De Sa and the poor Sigthórsson. Within a minute, Fischer nearly opened the scoring but his header from a Klaassen cross forced a save from Room.

The goal finally came on 74 minutes and it was the other substitution that broke the deadlock. After Ajax were awarded a free-kick outside the area courtesy of a Deniz Türüç handball, Lasse Schöne stood up to take it. The Danish midfielder fired his first attempt in the wall but after the rebound returned in his path, his low drive was too powerful for Room to stop and nestle into the corner of the goal.

Ajax held on for the win and due to Vitesse being held by NEC, now sit two points at the top of the Eredivisie league table.

TEAMS

GO AHEAD: Room, Schmidt, Vriends, Van der Linden, Schenk, Overgoor (Amevor 84), Rijsdijk (Lambooij 68), Türüç, Antonia (Kavak 91), Houtkoop, Kolder.

SUBS NOT USED: Cummins, Pot, Oostinjen, Ten Den.

GOALS: None

BOOKINGS: Schmidt, Kolder.

AJAX: Cillessen, Van Rhijn, Veltman, Moisander, Boilesen, Blind, Serero (Poulsen 86), Klaassen, De Sa (Fischer 65), Sigthórsson (Schöne 66), Bojan.

SUBS NOT USED: Vermeer, Duarte, Hoesen, Denswil.

GOALS: Schöne 74.

BOOKINGS: Klaassen.

STANDINGS

League table courtesy of FIFA.com

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EREDIVISIE

Week 20 Eredivisie Report – Feyenoord fall, PSV defeat AZ

January 26, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

SATURDAY 25TH JANUARY 2014

A few shocks in Saturday’s Eredivisie games with title challengers Feyenoord losing points and relegation battlers ADO and Roda gaining them.

ADO DEN HAAG 3-2 FEYENOORD

Maurice Steijn walked out of the Kyocera Stadion on Saturday a happier man as he saw his ADO Den Haag side defeat title-chasing Feyenoord, to lift his men off the bottom of the league table.

It was Ronald Koeman’s men that were more dangerous early in the match but failed to score during their domination. The closest they came was a great chance for the lively Jean-Paul Boëtius after 16 minutes. A long ball came out of midfield from John Goossens landed at the feet of Boëtius, but unfortunately for the young winger, Tom Beugelsdijk placed Boëtius under sufficient pressure that the Feyenoord man smashed his shot into the side netting. The 19-year-old had a further chance ten minutes later but shot straight at goalkeeper Gino Coutinho.

As the half went on, ADO started to get into the game more and went a goal ahead on 36 minutes. Aaron Meijers was bundled over by Bruno Martins Indi on the right-wing and from that free-kick, Danny Holla crossed for Mike van Duinen who won a corner. Holla whipped in the corner that met a Tom Beugelsdijk header that sailed past Erwin Mulder in goal, the big defender was being poorly marked by Lex Immers.

The goal took the confidence out of Feyenoord and in first half stoppage time they found themselves another goal down. Surging down the right was ADO full-back Dion Malone, he planted in a dangerous whipping cross and Danny Bakker got in front of the visitors defence to place home a glancing header.

Koeman’s team-talk fired up Feyenoord and they pressed from the restart. It was not until the 68th minute before they a goal back. From a Goossens corner, striker Graziano Pellè (reasonably quiet until now), held the ball up to play into Jordy Clasie’s path on the edge of the area. The tenacious midfielder lashed a ball home to fire up the away crowd.

The tails were up for Feyenoord and ADO were against the ropes trying to protect their lead, but to no avail as the game was tied six minutes later. Meijers turned the ball over to Clasie on the edge of the box and the ball fell to Immers to the right of the area. Immers played in a low cross towards Graziano Pellè and the Italian does not miss from five yards out and it was 2-2.

From the restart, ADO began to play the ball and three minutes later they took the lead again, and won the game with the best piece of movement all match. Holla again involved crossing into the feet of Roland Alberg on the edge of the box, and with beautiful link-up play, Alberg played an excellent one-two with Van Duinen to finish elegantly.

A bitter blow for Koeman and his side’s title chances but a vital three points for the hosts today in their relegation fight.

TEAMS

ADO: Coutinho, Malone, Beugelsdijk, Zuiverloon, Holla, Meijers, Bakker (Kanon 87), Van Haaren, Alberg, Schet (Merencia 90), Van Duinen.

SUBS NOT USED: Zwinkels, Wormgoor, Gouriye, Buwalda, Cabral.

GOALS: Beugelsdijk 36, Bakker 45, Alberg 77

BOOKINGS: Alberg, Schet

FEYENOORD: Mulder, Janmaat, De Vrij, Mathijsen (Nelom 55), Martins Indi, Clasie, Immers, Goossens, Boëtius (Te Vrede 83), Pellè, Schaken (Armenteros 46).

SUBS NOT USED: Lamprou, Verhoek, Bakkal, Van Beek.

BOOKINGS: None

NAC BREDA 1-2 PEC ZWOLLE

As the rain lashed down in Breda, Ron Jans celebrated extended his contract for another year leading his side to a great 2-1 win away to NAC Breda.

It was a game of few chances but Zwolle went behind on 20 minutes with an excellent finish from NAC’s Joey Suk. Danny Verbeek crossed from a free-kick on the left and after an aerial scramble to the ball right for the striker to acrobatically volley home.

Zwolle fought to get back into it and should have been level through Guyon Fernandez on 37 minutes. Great link-up play Kamohelo Mokotjo and Ryan Thomas played Fernandez in the area, the striker did well to turn his defender and a shot away but unfortunately dragged the effort just wide of Jelle ten Rouwelaar’s goal.

It took a penalty just after the restart to get the visitors level with Guyon Fernandez converting after Anouar Hadouir fouled Mokotjo in the box.

Zwolle stole the game in controversial fashion on 75 minutes. It was a tremendous goal by Mustafa Saymak who hit the ball from 35 yards out that gave Ten Rouwelaar no chance, but the goal should not have stood. Video replays after the game proved that seconds earlier, substitute Thanasis Karagounis had took the ball out of play on the right wing but the assistant referee missed the call.

TEAMS

NAC: Ten Rouwelaar, De Roover, H. Drost, Buijs, Van der Weg, Gilessen (Hooi 81), Suk, Hadouir (Tighadouini 74), Sarpong, Poepon, Verbeek (Perica 67).

SUBS NOT USED: Babos, Kwakman, Swerts, Bodor.

GOALS: Suk 20.

BOOKINGS: None.

ZWOLLE: Boer, Van der Werff, Broerse, Van Hintum, Van Polen, Mokotjo, Klich, J. Drost (Karagounis 45), Fernandez, Thomas (Mahmudov 65), Saymak (Gravenbeek 89).

SUBS NOT USED: Begois, Benson, Hiwat, Labylle.

GOALS: Fernandez 50, Saymak 75.

BOOKINGS: Klich 83.

RODA JC 1-0 FC UTRECHT

Jon Dahl Tomasson clinched his first win as Roda manager on Saturday evening sending Jan Wouters’ Utrecht to a fourth consecutive league defeat.

Wouters should have seen his side take the lead on 12 minutes, but Tommy Oar failed to guide Yassin Ayoub’s great through ball on target.

Tomasson has to re-jig his side after a mid-week defeat in the KNVB Beker to AZ Alkmaar. In that game, Hungarian striker Krisztián Németh was stupidly sent-off after charging into a referee, which has gained him a five-match suspension. In his place in this game was Vasil Shkurti, a 21-year-old Albanian striker only appearing in his second game for the club. However, it was the Albanian that nearly grabbed Roda the lead on 23 minutes, but Utrecht ‘keeper Robbin Ruiter was on his usual top form protecting the goal.

Just after the half-hour mark, Roda scored the only goal of the game. The man in-form for the Kerkrade side is Guus Hupperts, and he showed his worth again to Tomasson in this game. After Mitchell Donald robbed Kai Heerings of the ball and played in Shkurti, the Albanian flick the ball onto the on-rushing Hupperts at the right of the box and the winger slammed the ball home past Ruiter.

Utrecht barely bothered opposition goalkeeper Filip Kurto and Wouters will need to spark in his side and quick before they are dragged into the relegation battle.

TEAMS

RODA: Kurto, Dijkhuizen (Monteyne 39), Biemans, Van Peppen, Sutchin, Donald, Luijckx, Kali, Paulissen (Hocher 81), Shkurti (Pluim 68), Hupperts.

SUBS NOT USED: Prus, Ramos, Bonevacia, Jacobs.

GOALS: Hupperts 23.

BOOKINGS: None.

UTRECHT: Ruiter, Markiet, Derijck, Heerings, Van der Gun, Sarota, Diermers (Agudelo 59), Toornstra, Ayoub, De Ridder, Oar.

SUBS NOT USED: Verhoeven, Martensson, Bjelica, Klaiber, Van Velzen, Badjeck.

GOALS: None.

BOOKINGS: Heerings.

PSV 1-0 AZ ALKMAAR

After a great showing at the Amsterdam Arena in their close 1-0 defeat against rivals Ajax last Sunday, PSV returned to winning ways with a great win over AZ Alkmaar in Saturday’s evening game with the same scoreline.

Phillip Cocu saw his team explode out of the blocks and were 1-0 up after just three minutes. The relentless PSV attack bombarded the AZ goal with shot after shot with pinball like effect. Eventually after Santiago Arias, Ji-Sung Park and Memphis Depay saw shots blocked, the ball fell to left-back Jetro Willems at the edge of the area, and his tame long range effort crept past Esteban to put the hosts ahead.

Cocu can thank his goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet for the three points as the 22-year-old pulled off save after save for his side. His most vital, was his first on 12 minutes. From a corner, Jan Wuytens emerged at the near post and back-heeled flicked the ball towards the goal and once the ball had ricocheted off the post, Zoet bravely palmed the attempt away out of the AZ preying attackers.

PSV had their chances to further the lead and win the game comfortably. With 18 minutes gone, Adam Maher latched onto a long ball from Willems and volleyed towards goal but the attempt raised to high to bother Esteban in goal. Also, on the half-hour mark, Stijn Schaars spotted Arias sprinting down the right-wing and when the young Colombian found himself one-on-one with the Costa Rican goalkeeper, he smashed his effort into the side netting.

AZ pressed after the break and Zoet’s gloves were kept warm, denying them time and time again. Most notably, Johann Berg Gudmundsson combining well with Aron Johansson but both were unable to find the leveller.

PSV held on and grabbed a vital three points in their chase for a Europa League place in the top four. Dick Advocaat will be disappointed with his return to the Phillips Stadion but look forward to next week’s game hosting Groningen to get back on track.

TEAMS

PSV: Zoet, Arias, Willems (Hendrix 67), Rekik, Bruma, Schaars (Hiljemark 79), Park, Maher, Depay, Locadia, Ruiz (Narsingh 90).

SUBS NOT USED: Tyton, Zanka, Bakkali, Brenet.

GOALS: Willems 3.

BOOKINGS: Depay, Willems.

AZ: Esteban, Wuytens, Gouweleeuw, Viergever, Reijnen, Elm, Gudmundsson (Lewis 73), Gudelj, Ortiz (Henriksen 80), Beerens, A. Johansson.

SUBS NOT USED: De Winter, M. Johansson, Gorter, Haps, Avdic.

GOALS: None.

BOOKINGS: Wuytens, Reijnen, Gudelj, A. Johansson.

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EREDIVISIE

Week 20 Eredivisie Report – Heracles end RKC’s run

January 24, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

FRIDAY 24TH JANUARY 2014

Week 20 of the Eredivisie began with RKC Waalwijk’s undefeated run of six games ending with a 2-1 away defeat to Heracles Almelo. Erwin Koeman’s side have not lost a game since early November in a 5-2 thrashing at Heerenveen.

HERACLES 2-1 RKC WAALWIJK

The hosts pressed for the majority of the first half, not giving RKC much chance of an attack, and Heracles nearly went ahead on the half hour mark if it were not for Arjan van Dijk in the RKC goal. After Imad Najah fouled Simon Cziommer on the edge of the area, the German midfielder stepped up and smashed the ball towards goal. It was a fierce effort but Van Dijk got across his goal to tip over.

The deadlock was broken before half-time and it was Bryan Linssen once again on the scoresheet. The ever lively Iliass Bel Hassani was tormenting RKC defence throughout and fire a ball across the goal on 39 minutes, Ben Rienstra’s sliding effort was denied by Van Dijk but unfortunately for the goalkeeper the ball fell to Linssen to notch his sixth goal of the season.

Shortly after the break, Heracles extended their lead. After some great work twisting and turning the left side of the RKC defence, winger Mikhail Rosheuvel swung a high ball into the box where Mark Uth met with a header, unchallenged by the two on looking Waalwijk defenders who were blaming each other for not marking.

RKC’s newest signing Daniel de Ridder made an appearance just after the hour mark replacing the Sander Duits, and a few minutes later his new side were handed a lifeline. It was a fortunate goal for Damiano Schet, the winger lined up a free-kick to a similar position to Cziommer’s in the first-half and hit a low drive towards Remko Pasveer’s goal. The ball ricocheted off the legs of the Heracles wall and diverted past the helpless Pasveer.

The visitors should and could have claimed a point in the dying embers of the game but Robert Braber blared an easy chance over the bar.

Heracles held on in the late stages to claim all three points to lift them up to ninth at this point, while RKC drop into sixteenth just two points adrift of the basement spot.

TEAMS

HERACLES: Pasveer, Schenkeveld, Dorda, Davidson, Te Wierik, Bel Hassaini (Bruns 78), Rienstra, Cziommer, Rosheuvel (Tannane 70), Linssen, Uth (Powel 85).

SUBS NOT USED: Telgenkamp, Quansah, Van Dijk, Belterman.

GOALS: Linssen 41, Uth 54.

BOOKINGS: None

RKC WAALWIJK: Van Dijk, Van Hoevelen (Anderson 81), Apau, Gouano, Amieux, Najah, Duits (De Ridder 65), Braber, Sno, Schet (Beaugel 88), Joachim.

SUBS NOT USED: Seda, Ivens, Jungschlager, Lamey.

GOALS: Schet 67.

BOOKINGS: None

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BETTING TIPS, EREDIVISIE, EREDIVISIE PREVIEW

EREDIVISIE WEEK 20 PREVIEW – Sunday

January 24, 2014 Will Burns 1 Comment

Sunday 26th January

SC CAMBUUR vs. HEERENVEEN – 11:30

Last weekend, in the battle of the promoted sides, Cambuur pulled out a great 2-0 win against Go Ahead Eagles, meanwhile, Marco van Basten’s Heerenveen were unlucky not get the win in their 2-2 home draw with Roda JC.

Sunday should prove to be a totally different story for both sides. With Heerenveen’s attack triple threat of Hakim Ziyech, Bilal Basacikoglu and the Icelandic goal machine Alfred Finnbogason, this game promises to deliver goals. Heerenveen have proved this season to have great days away from home, and are undefeated in their last four league games.

Cambuur will find it hard to cope with the speed of Ziyech and Basacikoglu and trying to make sure Finnbogason does not score is also not easy after hitting the net 18 times in just 16 games so far this season. Look for Alfred to come up trumps once again, and lead his team to victory.

BURNS’ BEST BET: Heerenveen to win (8/5 – Betfair)

VITESSE vs. NEC NIJMEGEN – 11:30

NEC Nijmegen head to Vitesse on Sunday morning failing to win their last FOURTEEN away in the league, and since Vitesse have won seven of their last eight games, I think you can see where this prediction is going.

Even though he missed a penalty last week, whether he scoring or creating, on-loan superstar Lucas Piazón is on fire. The Brazilian is hitting real form for the Arnhem and combining plays with fellow Chelsea player Christian Atsu has fired Vitesse up to second, joint on points with leaders Ajax.

NEC have conceded at least two goals in their four away league matches so my best bet for this one is Vitesse to win by two or more goals, which is a cracking 8/5 at Bet365.

BURNS’ BEST BET: Vitesse to win by 2 goals or more (8/5 – Bet365)

FC GRONINGEN vs. FC TWENTE – 13:30

Sitting in third, FC Twente are in fine form finding all three points in five of their last six games. In all those matches, Twente have been winning the game at half-time and full-time also.

Dušan Tadić, a contender for player of the season, is leading the charge with Twente searching for their second Eredivisie championship. His creativity, along with the speed and attacking prowess of young winger Quincy Promes, supplying striker Luc Castaignos is causing trouble for all Eredivisie defences.

Groningen sit nine points beneath Twente in sixth place and have only won one game in their last six, losing two. I can’t see past Twente taking all three points here and applying a little pressure to the leading pack.

BURNS’ BEST BET: FC Twente HT/FT (2/1 – BetVictor)

GO AHEAD EAGLES vs. AJAX – 13:30

The hottest team in the league are the Eredivisie leaders Ajax, with their winning streak now up to seven matches. Apart from the influential Siem de Jong, the Amsterdammers are at full strength and after overcoming a tough first half against rivals PSV last week, they travel to Deventer to face Go Ahead.

This will be no easy feat for Ajax either with the Eagles undefeated at home in the last three games including the last two winning against PEC Zwolle and Utrecht.

With Vitesse hot on their tail, Ajax need to keep racking up the wins and I cannot see this game ending their winning streak.

BURNS’ BEST BET: Ajax HT/FT (11/10 – BetVictor)

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BETTING TIPS, EREDIVISIE, EREDIVISIE PREVIEW

EREDIVISIE WEEK 20 PREVIEW – Friday & Saturday

January 23, 2014 Will Burns 1 Comment

Week 20 of the Eredivisie is upon us and can Ajax and Vitesse maintain their good form and stay at the top of the pile or can Feyenoord catch up on Saturday and place a bit of pressure on them? Will Burns is here with this predictions and like all his tips, you will not see a ‘best bet’ under evens – good luck!

Friday 24th January

HERACLES vs. RKC WAALWIJK– 19:00

Currently undefeated in their last six Eredivisie games, RKC Waalwijk are surprising a lot of pundits in the Netherlands but on Friday night they face the tough challenge of Heracles.

With Romeo Castelen missing with a knee injury for RKC, it only get tougher. Heracles will want to bounce back from last week’s 3-1 defeat away to Twente, and will look to star player Bryan Linssen to get on the scoresheet.

The hosts will have Jeroen Veldmate serving a suspension for this game, after last Friday’s red card, but the central defensive pairing of Bart Schenkeveld and Ben Rienstra will cover in his absence.

Look for RKC to keep their undefeated run going by notching another point as I see this game being a draw, and with BetVictor offering 29/10, it’s a bet too good to miss especially when Heracles have just won one of their last six games at the Polman Stadion.

BURNS’ BEST BET: Draw (29/10 – BetVictor)

Saturday 25th January

ADO DEN HAAG vs. FEYENOORD – 17:45

A huge 5-2 win away to Utrecht last Sunday meant Feyenoord have now won five out of the last five Eredivisie games, but sadly for the Rotterdam side, they were knocked out of the KNVB Beker on Wednesday in a tough 3-1 defeat away to Ajax.

ADO will be the fresher side with no midweek game this week but due to far superiority in Ronald Koeman’s camp, I cannot see Feyenoord not coming out the victors. At 4/7 (BetVictor) Graziano Pelle and co. might be worth adding to your accumulator but it is certainly not our best bet.

Like last week I fancy Feyenoord to win both half-time and full-time in this one and we stick with BetVictor again at 11/8. For the record, Koeman’s men have now won this bet in the last four Eredivisie matches.

BURNS’ BEST BET: Feyenoord HT/FT (11/8 – BetVictor)

NAC BREDA vs. PEC ZWOLLE – 18:45

PEC Zwolle will be oozing with confidence after their trimpuant 5-1 win over Topklasse outfit JVC Cuijk in midweek to fire themselves into the semi-finals of the KNVB Beker.

No disrespect to JVC, but Zwolle will face a much stronger side in NAC Breda on Saturday evening. A side that is undefeated at home in the last six games, with five wins (AZ Alkmaar, Heracles, Go Ahead Eagles, PSV and Cambuur) and one draw (Groningen).

Breda have no real injury problems but Zwolle still are without strong powerful defender Darryl Lachman due to hamstring problem. Zwolle are on a four game losing streak in league games, but I can see the hunger to end that unwanted streak ending on Saturday. I can see this one ending as a draw and ending one streak for Zwolle, and continuing another for NAC.

BURNS’ BEST BET: Draw (13/5 – Bet365)

RODA JC vs. FC UTRECHT – 18:45

Both teams will be hurting after being knocked out of the Dutch cup in midweek, Roda at home to AZ (2-0) and Utrecht away to NEC (1-0).

Jon Dahl Tomasson still searches for his first win and he will be without main striker Krisztián Németh, after the Hungarian’s stupid red card on Tuesday night, as he serves his first of a five match suspension.

Both sides are in dire need of a win and I can see goals a plenty going in here. Utrecht started well last weekend against Feyenoord but ended up conceding five losing 5-2. Jan Wouters will be looking to capitalise on Roda’s poor form of losing their four Eredivisie games at the Parkstad Limburg Stadion. Roda have not won a game in eight league matches and you have to go back to late October when they defeated PSV for the last time they clinched all three points on offer.

BURNS’ BEST BET: Utrecht to win (29/10 – BetVictor)

PSV vs. AZ ALKMAAR – 19:45

Saturday night’s main event pits PSV vs. AZ in a repeat of the KNVB Beker final last May. Of course, the star of the show that day was Adam Maher, who has since swapped clubs.

On reflection, even before last week’s defeat to bitter rivals Ajax, PSV’s season is already over with only qualification to the Europa League to play for. AZ can still hope to retain their Dutch cup after Tuesday’s 2-0 victory at Roda, and in the league they currently sit in 7th, a place and one point above Saturday’s opponents.

PSV were unlucky to not get at least a point at the Amsterdam Arena on Sunday, and the addition of Bryan Ruiz looks like he could inject life into the PSV attack, linking up well with Memphis Depay and Jürgen Locadia.

Look for PSV to be successful here as Phillip Cocu’s men have only lost once in their last 11 Eredivisie games (a 6-2 defeat against high-flying Vitesse). However, for my ‘best bet’ I pick Fulham’s on-loan winger Bryan Ruiz to score anytime, which you can pick up for 7/5 at Bet365.

BURNS’ BEST BET: Bryan Ruiz to score anytime (7/5 – Bet365)

Click here for a preview of Sunday’s games.

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EREDIVISIE, FEATURE

Ajax vs. PSV Analysis

January 22, 2014 Will Burns 1 Comment

In the past three years, many teams have been forced to bow before the superior quality and resilience of Frank de Boer’s Ajax. On Sunday, it was the turn of PSV. The latest Derby van Nederland in Amsterdam was an absorbing affair, with both sides playing some insatiable football and displaying great technical skill. Ultimately, the sheer relentlessness of Ajax outlasted the brave adventure of PSV; de Amsterdammers remaining stoic when faced with a half of varied Eindhoven pressure before capitalizing on a typical lapse in the PSV backline to secure victory. In many respects, this game encapsulated finely the prevailing narrative of modern Dutch football.

As a PSV fan, I knew that the season was on life-support heading into this fixture. The early season positivity created by stirring home performances and a 4-0 September victory over Ajax were distant memories, washed away in a sea of frustrating inconsistency. A spiraling decline saw Phillip Cocu’s side mired in eighth place prior to kick-off; any slim hopes of a roaring comeback after the Winter Break were dependent on victories against closest rivals. It was a must-win for PSV.

The opening exchanges provided great cause for encouragement. Cocu fielded an attacking lineup, with Bryan Ruiz handed a debut alongside Jürgen Locadia and Memphis Depay in a lively forward three. The silky Costa Rican, loaned from Fulham last week, was intelligent in possession and helped create a steady flow of attacking opportunities for PSV. Locadia steered agonizingly wide on two separate occasions; Depay, whose technical development continues to impress, diverted a whipped cross barely wide of Jasper Cillessen’s post; and Ruiz himself flashed a left-footed shot tantalizingly across the face of goal. PSV looked strong, fit and powerful in the attacking third, with strong pressure being applied. On the counter-attack, they manipulated a number of three-on-three situations, with only the finishing touch lacking. At times, it looked like Ajax would cave as PSV attacked with strength and verve. The capacity crowd became somewhat restless as Ajax scrambled to extinguish a persistent PSV threat. I was surprised and incredibly excited.

Cocu’s side also looked strong defensively. The unorthodox midfield combination of Stijn Schaars and Ji-Sung Park lacked pace in defensive transitions, but compressed gaps adequately and helped command the pivotal space between defence and midfield in which Ajax’ technical playmakers so frequently devastate. Ajax instead attempted to work an overload against PSV right-back Santiago Arias, taking advantage of Ruiz’ low defensive work rate. Viktor Fischer was lively, asking many questions with tremendous dribbling skills and incisive vision. When Jeffrey Bruma and Rekik stood strong, and Jeroen Zoet proved reliable between the sticks, this game may have started to resemble a stalemate to the neutral. However, for the purists, it was fascinating to watch another fine tactical battle between Cocu and de Boer.

During the half-time break, de Boer won that battle, and the second half proven to be a morbid postmortem of this failed PSV season. It was a half totally different to its forebear in emotion, tempo and quality. It was quintessential Ajax. I do not know what Frank de Boer said in that Amsterdam ArenA dressing room, but his tinkering resembled the work of a genius. The Ajax coach somehow managed to alter the entire pattern, narrative and outcome of this game almost instantaneously; the second half feeling like a siege from the very kick-off. It was quite remarkable that Ajax could, with the succinct influence of de Boer, rebound from a rigorous half of football into a state of utter dominance. The resounding self-confidence of this Ajax team is incredible.

As a PSV fan, I was naturally frustrated as my team became ragged and stretched but, as a football fan, one can only admire what de Boer has built. Eventually, he will graduate to the very top with Barcelona, and I cannot think of a more deserving coach. The native tribalism of this game often lends itself to hatred, cynicism and delusion. I regularly have heated football debates with Ajax fans fueled by the rivalry but, on Sunday, I had to strip all of that back. After a half of vibrant PSV pressure and a capricious change of momentum orchestrated by de Boer, I was entirely devoid of answers as to how any domestic Dutch outfit can consistently out-perform this current Ajax team. They’re just too strong.

It was torture and it was educational. Simultaneously. Ajax pressed in packs at such ferocity that PSV struggled to construct a meaningful sequence of passes. As with all world class teams, de Boer’s Ajax strike fear into opponents when in possession anywhere on the field. Even when Veltman or Moisander are on the ball, stroking it about the backline, Ajax look to be on the very verge of creating something terminal. It’s just terrifying.

Such was the case with the winning goal. In this entire Eredivisie season, you’ll struggle to find a more symbolic goal. It encapsulated the root of PSV’s problems and explained why Ajax will likely march to a fourth successive crown. Moisander plays a darting cross-field ball to the highly-impressive Lasse Schöne, whose instinctive side-foot into the penalty area exposes a fatal lapse in concentration between Bruma and Rekik. Sigþórsson nips in-between them to head home what proved to be an Ajax winner. Initially, this goal informs of Ajax’ granite-like resolve and spirited belief. They will keep probing and penetrating and working until an opportunity presents itself. As for PSV, this goal highlights the undeniable need for leadership.

The occasional brilliance of Bruma & Rekik has been regularly unhinged by such momentary lapses in concentration. Earlier in the game, both central defenders bestrode the backline with passion and intelligence, blocking shots and cutting-out Ajax passes with ease and elegance. However, the lack of a fearsome captain to preach the importance of concentration throughout an entire ninety minute game proved costly again. In dealing with such naivety, PSV are desperate for a midfield stopper in the mould of Mark van Bommel; a true captain who the younger players feel accountable to, and are perhaps even a little scared of. PSV need a quality combative anchor in midfield with the heart, intelligence and passion to provide security and inculcate a message of awareness throughout a whole game.

Since van Bommel’s retirment, those human qualities haven’t been replaced. The summer sale of superstars like Kevin Strootman, Dries Mertens and Jeremain Lens again demonstrated the importance of Champions League football to a club like PSV; the greater revenue streams opened-up by such a competition are required to acquire and keep this calibre of in-prime player. Strootman and Mertens have flourished into global superstars, with sensational performances in Serie A for Roma and Napoli, respectively. Mertens has been ubiquitous in the selection of Rafael Benítez, whilst Strootman has settled into a multi-talented midfield alongside Daniele De Rossi and Miralem Pjanić. Cocu can only yearn for such proven quality within his current squad. If PSV had a van Bommel or Strootman-type figure this season, they would still be challenging on three fronts.

Ultimately, the Ajax game resembled so many PSV encounters this season. In the first half, Cocu’s side had thrown everything at Ajax, who seem impregnable even when pressured intensely. A lively start full of youthful exuberance yielded no breakthrough, before a naïve lapse in attention let the opposition grab a goal from a most unlikely situation. Once behind, the youthful heads dropped, the tactical shape became frayed, and the opposition trampled all over PSV. Ajax rushed through a disintegrated PSV midfield, creating opportunities and taking aim at Zoet. Their only failure was in adding more goals. It was one-way traffic, with many PSV players again bypassed by the emotion of a big game. It was excruciating to watch, but this kind of scenario has become a regular hardship for PSV. The script isn’t new.

But we must continue to support our team. We must believe in the process of change embarked upon by Cocu. Of course, it hurts to lose to a fierce enemy, but all true football fans must endure to enjoy. We have watched PSV win Eredivisie Titles, play in Champions League semi-finals and thump close enemies by huge scorelines. Now, perhaps it’s the turn of other clubs and other fans to have their moment in the sun. I firmly believe that those who flee in times of darkness have no right to enjoy the eventual glory. That glory will return. Even de Boer said as much, stating his belief that “I think it will eventually turn out right for Cocu and PSV.” It’s incredibly difficult to admit that a bitter rival is plainly better than you. However, at this moment, arguing that fact would be futile. PSV must act honourably, accept the reality, and strive to emulate the kind of steely resolve on show in Amsterdam.

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EREDIVISIE

Week 19 Eredivisie Report – Ajax & Vitesse stay top

January 19, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

The Eredivisie season resumed this weekend after the winter break and Ajax and Vitesse began their new year with wins to keep them atop of the pile in the Dutch top flight.

The final game of the weekend was the world famous De Klassieker but in all fairness it was a bit of a letdown. Ajax ran out winners against PSV keeping Frank de Boer’s side on top of the division on goal difference. The visitors dominated the opening half, with Ajax on the back foot with left winger Memphis Depay shining the brightest, giving the Ajax defence a torrid time. The young Depay nearly gave Phillip Cocu’s men the lead on 26 minutes with a cute touch that crept just wide after Adam Maher had whipped in the ball.

Two minutes earlier, Jürgen Locadia should have given the Eindhoven side the advantage. Locadia arrive into box on the right, and the on-loan Bryan Ruiz placed him in with a lovely deft chip, but the striker sent his shot inches wide.

With Ajax being forced into their own half for the majority of the first 45 minutes, they relied heavily on the counter attack. After the interval, the hosts came out fighting and on 64 minutes they took the lead and it was an excellent goal. A long ball out of defence from Niclas Moisander found Lasse Schöne on the right-wing Schöne, with fantastic technique hit a first time volleyed cross into the box, where Kolbeinn Sigthórsson nodded past Jeroen Zoet for 1-0.

The goal de-motivated the young PSV side and Ajax pressed for a second, but despite efforts from Davy Klaassen and Viktor Fischer they failed to add to their score. PSV’s title challenge is dust and dusted, if it was not already, as Ajax sit joint top with Vitesse, who defeated PEC Zwolle 2-1 on Saturday evening.

It was an eventful first half with Vitesse a goal ahead after in the third minute. Ghanaian on-loan star Christian Atsu twisted and turned through the Zwolle defence, before sliding the ball home past the helpless Diederik Boer. The visitors were not in the lead for long as Guyon Fernandez notched his fifth goal of the season on ten minutes. Then three minutes later, Vitesse winger Renato Ibarra was tripped in the area, but Lucas Piazón could not place the penalty past Boer. Another Chelsea loanee sealed the win for Vitesse in injury time, with Patrick van Aanholt striding up the field from the left wing to fire home.

On Friday, FC Twente defeated local rivals Heracles by three goals to one in the Derby of the East. Quincy Promes continued his great form firing Twente in the lead halfway through the first half and Luc Castaignos doubled the advantage before the hour mark. The visitors were down to ten-men when defender Jeroen Veldmate was shown the red card but Mark Uth gave Heracles some hope when he scored on 76 minutes with a tremendous solo effort. The points were clinched with minutes to go when Luka Đorđević was brought down by Thomas Bruns and Dušan Tadić converted the spot kick.

Twente are up to 37 points with Feyenoord a point behind them in fourth. Ronald Koeman’s men showed they are still challenging for the championship thumping FC Utrecht 5-2 at the Stadion Galgenwaard on Sunday afternoon. Five goals were shared in a crazy first half and it was the hosts that took the lead when Jens Toornstra capitalised on Jordy Clasie’s mistake on 12 minutes. Feyenoord equalised four minutes later when Ruben Schaken turned in Tonny Vilhena’s shot. The best goal of the game gave the visitors the lead when Italian hitman Graziano Pellè delivered a back-heeled flick to Schaken’s cross from the right. Utrecht levelled the game up when Toornstra notched again on 22 minutes, but Feyenoord went into the break with the goal advantage with a Stefan de Vrij header. Schaken got his second on 72 minutes with Vilhena scoring the fifth with a minute to go.

Heerenveen stay in fifth place despite being held to 2-2 draw on Saturday evening with Roda JC, now managed by Jon Dahl Tomasson. Tomasson will be happy with the away point, especially when he would have feared the worst when Hakim Ziyech put Heerenveen ahead on 12 minutes. The teams went into half-time level, as Guus Hupperts’ cross was fired home by Hungarian striker Krisztián Németh. Alfred Finnbogason notched his 18th of the season after Kees Luijckx blocked the Icelandic striker in the area and Finnbogason stepped up to convert for 2-1. However, Roda did not give up and Hupperts scored the equalising goal with a great show of speed and finishing. The 21-year-old overpowered Christian Kum down the right-wing and hit a wonderful outside of the boot finish from an acute angle to score. Tomasson will look to Hupperts in the coming months to help in the relegation fight.

FC Groningen were unlucky to be held by RKC Waalwijk to a 1-1 draw on Saturday evening, with Michael de Leeuw giving Groningen the lead on the half-hour mark. However, the visitors were reduced to ten-men when debutant Hans Hateboer was shown red for a foul RKC’s Remy Amieux. RKC snatched the draw with an 89-minute Evander Sno penalty after Maikel Kieftenbeld was adjudged to have handled in the penalty area.

Also on Saturday, AZ Alkmaar defeated NAC Breda 3-0. Steven Berghuis scored a brace along with Aron Johansson goal to help AZ climb to seventh place on 27 points.

ADO Den Haag now prop up the league in 18th after suffering a 3-1 defeat away to NEC Nijmegen. Kevin Conboy hit two alongside a Marnick Vermijl effort while a Danny Holla penalty replied for Den Haag. The win meant that NEC leapfrogged ADO into 17th.

Finally, in a battle of the promoted side, SC Cambuur turned over Go Ahead Eagles by two goals to nil, with Marcel Ritzmaier scoring the best goal of the weekend. In the 18th minute, the midfielder, on-loan from PSV hit a spectacular effort from 30 yards out straight past Eloy Room in the Eagles’ goal. Martijn Barto added a second to see Cambuur rise up to 14th while Go Ahead are four points better in 10th.

RESULTS

FC Twente 3-1 Heracles

AZ Alkmaar 3-0 NAC Breda

PEC Zwolle 1-2 Vitesse

RKC Waalwijk 1-1 FC Groningen

Heerenveen 2-2 Roda JC

NEC Nijmegen 3-1 ADO Den Haag

SC Cambuur 2-0 Go Ahead Eagles

FC Utrecht 2-5 Feyenoord

Ajax 1-0 PSV

STANDINGS

League table courtesy of FIFA.com

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BETTING TIPS, EREDIVISIE, EREDIVISIE PREVIEW

EREDIVISIE WEEK 19 PREVIEW – Sunday

January 17, 2014 Will Burns 1 Comment

Sunday afternoon is De Klassieker, Ajax vs. PSV Eindhoven. The last time out, PSV embarrassed Ajax with a 4-0 drubbing – Frank de Boer will look for revenge and a win will mean that Ajax stay at the top of the pile.

Here’s Will Burns with a full preview of Sunday’s action.

Sunday 19th January

NEC NIJMEGEN vs. ADO DEN HAAG – 11:30

It is a battle at the bottom as ADO Den Haag (16th) travel to NEC Nijmegen (18th) on Sunday morning, gunning to be victorious for just the second time in the last 8 away matches.

Last time out NEC were defeated heavily 5-2 at Groningen, and just yesterday they strengthened their squad by the double loan signing of Geoffrey Castillion and Danzell Gravenberch from Ajax.

As ADO Den Haag have been losing at half-time and full-time in six of their last seven away fixtures, the best bet of the day has to be NEC Nijmegen HT/FT.

BURNS’ BEST BET: NEC Nijmegen HT/FT (12/5 – Bet365)

SC CAMBUUR vs. GO AHEAD EAGLES – 13:30

With SC Cambuur sitting in 17th, head coach Dwight Lodeweges will be desperate to open up 2014 with a win. It may be difficult against Go Ahead Eagles on Saturday afternoon, the home side will be without their first choice right-back, as Wout Droste is serving a suspension.

Tenth-placed Go Ahead Eagles could be missing a key player with Erik Falkenburg doubtful, but thankfully for the away side, star striker Marnix Kolder has recovered from a back injury and declared himself fit for Saturday.

Cambuur have not fared well this season and only managed to win four matches all season and even though Go Ahead Eagles have lost five out of their last six away games, I’m picking the Eagles to soar in this one.

BURNS’ BEST BET: Go Ahead Eagles to win (3/1 – BetVictor)

FC UTRECHT vs. FEYENOORD – 13:30

Ninth-placed FC Utrecht head into this home game with Ronald Koeman’s Feyenoord (4th) side with four first teamers out of action. Zambian striker Jacob Mulenga (thigh), Edouard Duplan (knee), Cedric van der Gun (knee) all miss out with injuries, but in better news for head coach Jan Wouters, top scorer Steven de Ridder returns after serving suspension.

Feyenoord are virtually full strength with only Swedish striker Samuel Armentaros absent due to a foot injury and Ruud Vormer with a groin problem. The Rotterdam side are on a four-game winning streak trying to chase the leading pack in the Eredivisie championship race.

In the last three of those wins, Feyenoord have been leading at half-time so our best bet of the day would be to take Koeman’s men to win at HT/FT.

BURNS’ BEST BET: Feyenoord HT/FT (17/10)

AJAX vs. PSV – 15:30

Leaving the best until last, the Eredivisie Week 19 closes with De Klassieker on Sunday afternoon at the Amsterdam Arena. In their last outing, Ajax suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat to PSV in September at the Phillips Stadion. That game lit a fire under Ajax and no team have managed to extinguish it yet as the Amsterdammers have won eight of the 11 games since.

PSV are wallowing in mid-table obscurity (8th), as Ajax are neck and neck with Vitesse at the top of the division, Phillip Cocu’s side would love to stop De Boer’s men in their tracks, and help themselves creep closer to the leaders. Ajax have no injury worries, where PSV still are without infleutncial playmaker Georginio Wijnaldum (back) and striker Ola Toivonen (hamstring) and Tim Matavz (knee) will also fail to be fit on time for Sunday’s clash.

Ajax will start with Jasper Cillessen in goal and a back four of Ricardo van Rhijn, Joel Veltman, Niclas Moisander and Nicolai Boilsen, with Daley Blind moving into his new found defensive midfielder postion. This will allow Davy Klaassen and Thulani Serero go forward and help out Bojan, Viktor Fischer and Siem de Jong in attack.

Phillip Cocu is set to name Jeroen Zoet in nets, with Colombian right-back Santiago Arias, Jeffrey Bruma, Karim Rekik and Jetro Willems making up the defence. Across the midfield, Adam Maher, Stijn Schaars and Oskar Hiljemark will have the job of keeping Klaassen at bay, while Memphis Depay, Luciano Narsingh will look to use their speed to set-up lone striker Jurgen Locadia.

With two attacking line-ups, I am predicting goals and plenty of them. Although, I do think it will be a close affair, I cannot see Ajax not gaining revenge this time round but the best bet will be ‘Over 3.5 Goals’ with a 3-1 or 3-2 scoreline coming up trumps for the home side.

BURNS’ BEST BET: Over 3.5 Goals (31/20 – BetVictor)

Click here for Friday and Saturday’s preview and betting tips.

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BETTING TIPS, EREDIVISIE, EREDIVISIE PREVIEW

EREDIVISIE WEEK 19 PREVIEW – Friday & Saturday

January 16, 2014 Will Burns 1 Comment

IT’S BACK! The Eredivisie returns this weekend and it should prove to be a explosive set of games starting with ‘The Derby of the East’ when FC Twente host Heracles on Friday evening, and accumlating on Sunday afternoon with De Klassieker, Ajax vs. PSV Eindhoven.

Here’s Will Burns with a full preview of the weekend’s action.

Friday 17th January

FC TWENTE vs. HERACLES – 19:00

The opening Eredivisie match of 2014 is the ‘Derby of the East’ with Jan de Jonge’s Heracles making the short 30km drive to Enschede to face Michel Jansen’s FC Twente.

Twente sit in third place just three points behind leaders Ajax and Vitesse, and are on a seven game unbeaten streak, losing last to ADO in a close 3-2 affair back on October 26th. The trio of Dusan Tadic, Luc Castaignos and Quincy Promes are on fire this season, scoring 25 of the teams 41 goals. Jansen has no real injury problems, except for ten-goal Castaignos is doubtful with a mouth injury.

Heracles themselves have not tasted defeat for four games, including a fantastic hard-fought 2-2 draw at home to Vitesse in their last game. De Jonge heads into Friday with a lot of injury doubts, with star man Bryan Linssen, scored twice against Vitesse, struggling to get fit with a calf problem. On top of Linssen, central midfield duo Simon Cziommer (hip) and Ben Rienstra (flu) are both fighting against the clock to gain fitness.

If all three are missing, I doubt Heracles would have any chance of going to Twente and getting anything for their troubles. Twente have not lost a home game since May 2013, and a win for ‘The Pride of the East’ will put a little pressure on the top two, and give Twente fans hopes of clinching their second Eredivisie championship.

BURNS’ BEST BET: Twente to win by 2 goals (7/4 – William Hill)

Saturday 18th January

AZ ALKMAAR vs. NAC BREDA – 17:45

AZ head coach Dick Advocaat lost a key player in Maarten Martens this week, in a two-year deal to PAOK Salonika – the Belgian, with 10 assists this season, was due to sign for the Greek side in the summer, but both parties decided to bring the transfer forward.

Advocaat’s side will be hoping their fortunes change this year, as they lost their last four games of 2013, and only picking up two points in their last six, which has caused them to drop to eighth in the division. Their opponents, NAC Breda sit in 12th, only two points adrift, and could jump up to eighth with a win.

NAC are in poor form away from home, currently on a five-game losing streak and will be hoping to end that on Saturday. Joey Suk misses out due to suspension after being sent off in a 4-0 defeat away to Ajax in early December. The Yellow Army won last time out 1-0 while hosting SC Cambuur, and defeated FC Groningen by the same scoreline last weekend in a friendly game.

BURNS’ BEST BET: Draw (3/1 – Betfair)

RKC WAALWIJK vs. FC GRONINGEN – 18:45

The depleted RKC Waalwijk will find it tough against FC Groningen. First choice goalkeeper Jan Seda will be missing with an ankle injury, so look for Arjan van Dijk to cover for the Czech. Also on the treatment table is Romeo Castelen (knee) and Mart Lieder (cruicate ligament).

The sixth placed Groningen will be without the suspended Stefano Magnasco for collecting yellow cards for fun. The last time out, Groningen smashed five past NEC Nijmegen in a 5-2 win, with Michael de Leeuw notching a hat-trick.

If you’re having a flutter over the weekend, I’m suggesting you add Groningen to your accumulator. Although, NAC are unbeaten in their last four home games, and Groningen have only won one game away from home from the last nine, I feel the away side will come away the victors with the superior talent on show.

BURNS’ BEST BET: FC Groningen to win (31/20 – BetVictor)

PEC ZWOLLE vs. VITESSE – 18:45

Vitesse are in a great position to win their first ever Eredivisie title and bringing in loanees Zakaria Labyad (Sporting Lisbon) and Bertrand Traoré (Chelsea) is only helping the cause.

Look for Vitesse to easily win this game, especially since PEC Zwolle are without Darryl Lachman, their star central defender, with a hamstring problem. Also, earlier this week, Zwolle sold their starting left-back Rochdi Achenteh to their opponents on Saturday, as the defender was in the last six months of his contract. Labyad and Traoré could make their debuts, but it’s hard to see Achenteh to be chosen ahead of the excellent Patrick van Aanholt on the left side of defence.

Zwolle, will hope Kamohelo Mokotjo, Jesper Drost and Fred Benson are on form to hit 2014 off to a good start, but it’s hard to see the makeshift defence being able to halt the Vitesse attack, especially when young Brazilian Lucas Piazón was firing on all cylinders before the winter break.

BURNS’ BEST BET: Vitesse to win HT/FT (2/1 – BetVictor)

HEERENVEEN vs. RODA JC – 19:45

Jon Dahl Tomasson returns to Heerenveen in his debut as Roda’s head coach, but do not except it to be a successful first appearance on the sideline for the Dane. Roda have a weak side spiralling down to the bottom of the standings, Tomasson will have to strengthen the side for any hopes of avoiding relegation trouble.

I struggle to see Roda’s back line be able to cope with the creativity of Hakim Ziyech, the speed of Rajiv van la Parra and the goalscoring instincts of Icelandic hitman Alfred Finnbogason.

Tomasson will be without Roda’s star man of the half-season so far, Mark-Jan Fledderus with a groin injury, and Krisztian Nemeth is doubtful (toe).

With Finbogason already netted 17 times in 15 games, look for the Iceland international to add to his tally in Saturday’s late game and also expect other goals. The previous fixture back in September finished a 3-3 draw,

BURNS’ BEST BET: Finnbogason to score 2 or more (13/8 – Bet365)

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