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EREDIVISIE WEEK 1 – MARTIJN’S BETTING TIPS

August 8, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

FRIDAY 8TH AUGUST 2014

PEC ZWOLLE – FC UTRECHT (19:00 BST)

The Eredivisie will start this Friday with current cup winner PEC Zwolle versus FC Utrecht. Both teams are known for spectacular matches. And so our betting tip for this match includes a ‘over’ bet.

PEC Zwolle played this Sunday versus Ajax for the Johan Cruijff Schaal and they deservedly won this match. They will most likely play with the same 11 players as latter match. ‘De Blauwvingers’ are known for playing with style and grace which led them to many victories such as the brilliant cup final versus Ajax in the previous season (5-1).

It is hard to predict which team will win Friday night, but FC Utrecht will not play hide and seek. They will attack heavily if you believe them: ‘We rather win with 4-3 then with 1-0’, said technical director Co Adriaanse. And the manager himself Alflen said this: ‘My philosophy is to gain the ball quickly as possible so the opponent will not stand a chance to build their attack’. They have strengthened their squad with pure quality in the name of Barazite, Kali and Boymans (27 goals in the Jupiler League previous season) and so on.

Both coaches have an offensive mind-set while their defence is not the best. I expect a game with at least three goals.

BEST BET: Over 2.5 Goals (7/10 – BetVictor)

SATURDAY 9TH AUGUST 2014

NAC BREDA – EXCELSIOR (18:45 BST)

NAC Breda is a team which have had trouble to avoid relegation is the last couple of seasons, but if analyze their qualities with other teams this season there is a big difference with clubs such as Willem II, FC Dordrecht and Excelsior.

Latter had the topscorer of the second division in their squad previous season (Veldwijk). They have lost him to English Championship team Nottingham Forrest. And with this transfer they lost 30 (!) goals. It is fair to say that they earned promotion because of him. In this pre-season they faced Roda JC (which relegated in 2013-14) and Excelsior where absolutely blasted away with a 4-1 defeat.

If you compare this squad with the other 17 teams in the Eredivisie doubtless they have by far the worst squad quality-wise. I expect that they will relegate with a ridiculous number of goals conceded.

You could talk ages about this game, but my expectation is fairly easy. Excelsior is not on the level required for the Eredivisie.

BEST BET: Both teams to score: NO (13/10 – BetVictor)

SUNDAY 10TH AUGUST 2014

WILLEM II – PSV (15:45 BST)

Matchday one will finish with this game which has two teams originated in Brabant. Because of the poor performance versus St. Pölten the odds has risen for PSV which is a good thing. The difference quality-wise among Willem II and PSV is enormous. So -1 PSV is a brilliant bet to place.

Willem II only has five defenders in their squad. With the possibility of a sixth in the name of Frank van der Struijk. To sketch the situation in Tilburg, they are the one and only club in the Eredivisie who still have no sponsor for their shirt. The financial situation is dramatic and their squad is far from complete which Jurgen Streppel admitted: ‘People expect us to finish above Excelsior and FC Dordrecht, based on what? We still do not have a central striker and only five defenders. It will be a matter of surviving because we lack quality and quantity’.

PSV have had a terrible match versus St. Pölten, but with the note that the Austrian second division team played in a defensive 5-3-2 formation and had no intention to leave their penalty box. They missed Wijnaldum, Depay and Arias and they most likely will not be playing versus Willem II, but PSV has many players with the ability to score and them will prove this versus promoted side Willem II.

Because of the match versus St. Pölten you could see the odd grow for PSV, but such a poor match will not happen to Eindhoven twice in a row. I expect an easy win for Cocu and his players.

BEST BET: -1 PSV (103/100 – BetVictor)

A £10 TREBLE PAYS £79.37 AT BETVICTOR

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BETTING TIPS, EREDIVISIE, EREDIVISIE PREVIEW, FEATURE

EREDIVISIE 2014/15 SEASON GUIDE

August 7, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

Total Dutch Football previews all 18 teams ahead of the new Eredivisie season beginning this Friday night. Click on a club’s badge below to view their extensive preview and how our team think they will fare in the upcoming 2014/15 season.

The Eredivisie is back and for viewers based in the United Kingdom, it is an exciting time. As of this season, Sky Sports have signed a four-year deal to show the Dutch top flight, so we will the breeding ground for some many playing and coaching talent right in front of our eyes. Lots of changes as per usual in the Eredivisie, as is every year when the vast amount of talent the season before, have moved onto bigger clubs across Europe. It is very apt that the league does get named ‘The Stepping Stone’ division as many stars like Luis Suarez, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Robin van Persie honed their skills in Holland before moving on to the big time. In recent times, we have saw Jan Vertonghen, Christian Eriksen and Siem de Jong all leave the Amsterdam Arena for the dizzy heights of the Premier League.

Could Ajax win an unprecedented fifth title in a row or could we see a new winner of the Eredivisie?

Well what are you watching for?

Click on a club badge below and find out who we think will be holding aloft the Eredivisie shield in May.

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EREDIVISIE PREVIEW, FEATURE

NAC BREDA SEASON PREVIEW

August 7, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

NACBreda

After a narrow escape from relegation last term can NAC Breda fans expect a better term this year? Ryan O’Grady predicts it may be more of the same for the Yellow Army.

Last season NAC Breda escaped relegation by the skin of their teeth, they lost 2-0 to PSV on the final day and had RKC Waalwijk won their match by a significant margin then they would’ve overtaken NAC and pushed them into the relegation play-off spot alongside NEC. Breda had many problems last year they score fewer goals than any other team last year, 43, which adds up to an average of 1.23 goals per game. Their top scorer last season was Rydell Poepon with 9 but he was on loan from ADO Den Haag and has now moved to Valenciennes in France. One positive from last year was that although they didn’t score many goals, they did share them around the team, Perica and Buijs got six apiece and Verbeek got 5. The problem is that they were the top 4 goal scorers at the club and they’re all no longer there which means that 26 goals of their meagre total of 43 have left the club. Verbeek has signed for Utrecht, Bujis has signed for Heerenveen and Perica returned to Chelsea following the end of his loan deal although he still could return as the club are in negotiations with Chelsea, but the negotiations are said to be “laborious” according to the club.

These departures will hopefully be offset by the arrival of 20-year old Kingsley Boateng on a free from AC Milan; this is a real coup for the side as he has a bright future. NAC have also signed Swedish wonder kid Isak Ssewankambo on another free transfer, this time from Chelsea. After helping Chelsea to win the FA Youth Cup his coach Adrian Viveash urged Jose Mourinho to give him a chance in the first team, this chance hasn’t materialised and after his contract ran out he got a trial at NAC Breda and impressed everyone enough to earn a contract. NAC chief Nebojsa Gudelj has been quoted as saying “He is a talented and dynamic player who is very strong and can play in many positions”. He has already represented Sweden at various levels including U17, U18 and U21. NAC Breda have lost one of their defensive linchpins in Kwakman to Bidvest Wits, he made 28 appearances last year and contributed 3 goals. To replace him they have brought in Frenchman Rémy Amieux from RKC Waalwijk who he was vital for last year, appearing in every game, and Aleksandar Damcevski from Chernomoretz Burgas who is unproven at this level. NAC have had a very successful winning all 6 of their games including beating regional side DSE 16-0. Although their preseason form has been good, they haven’t come up against any teams of real note, which questions whether they can continue this form into the new season.

Overall NAC Breda have brought in a couple of decent signings but whether this will be enough to replace the goals that have left remains to be seen and in other areas they have merely just replaced players rather than strengthening. This seems to suggest that a similar season to last year is on the cards or possibly even worse if the new signings don’t gel with the rest of the team.

TRANSFERS INS AND OUT

IN: Isak Ssewankambo (Chelsea), Aleksandar Damchevski (Chernomorets), Erik Falkenburg (Go Ahead Eagles), Joeri De Kamps (Heerenveen), Kingsley Boateng (AC Milan), Remy Amieux (RKC Waalwijk).

OUT: Anouar Hadouir (Moghreb Tetouan), Jordy Buijs (Heerenveen), Kees Kwakman (Bidvest Wits), Stuy Rick van den Herik (FC Oss), Rydell Poepon (ADO Den Haag), Stipe Perica (Chelsea).

MANAGER – NEBOJŠA GUDELJ

Gudelj is a former Bosnian Serb footballer who started his playing career off at FK Leotar Terbinje in the Yugoslav Second League. He then moved to FK Partizan Belgrade where he won the title in the 1993-94 season. He then moved to Spain to join CD Logroñés where he only spent one season before moving NAC Breda eight years and made 246 appearances and scored 10 goals. He then spent one final year at Sparta Rotterdam before retiring in 2006. In 2012 he was appointed manager at NAC leading them to a 13^th placed finish in first season before they finished 15^th last year. He also has a son, Nemanja Gudelj, who currently plays for the AZ Alkmaar first team.

KEY PLAYER – KINGSLEY BOATENG

Kingsley Boateng arrived on loan from Serie A giants AC Milan and the 20-year-old, who was loaned out to Catania last term, has started well on pre-season for Breda scoring four times in three games. It seems AC Milan have also been impressed as they said that even though the games are just friendlies they have been really impressed with his form. The talented striker, who can also play on the wings, has stated his desire to play for Ghana, despite featuring for the Italian Under-21 team and is ready to make an impact in the Eredivisie to start an international tug-of-war.

PREDICTION – 15TH

BET VICTOR EREDIVISIE TITLE ODDS: 250/1

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A long season awaits for these five Eredivisie goalkeepers

August 2, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

I expect it to be a busy season for many goalkeepers in the Eredivisie, but no other number ones will feel the pressure quite like the following keepers mentioned in this piece. I can only imagine that the 2014/15 campaign will be remembered for either all the right or wrong reasons for these five men writes Kalkeren Kieran.

JELLE TEN ROUWELAAR (NAC Breda)

It is never easy being a keeper in these times but being captain of the club along with the responsibility of holding the goal really brings it into a different level of pressure. In which NAC Breda’s first choice stopper this season will be once again the 33 year-old Jelle ten Rouwelaar.

Already appearing a remarkable 236 times for the club, Ten Rouwelaar has spent virtually all of his livelihood in the Netherlands, appearing for Austria Wien for one year out of his fifteen-year long career.

At the age of 33, there is no doubt that he will be depending on all of his experience this season to lead the side. His main objective will be to keep them out of any trouble and another season to look forward to in the top flight, however it will not be easy for this Dutch-born star, as the side conceded 54 goals last season finishing with a -11 goal difference. Considering 11 of the 54 were scored in the last ten minutes of the game, means that concentration will be key for the side staying out of trouble during the 2014/15 campaign.

LEONARD NIENHUIS (SC Cambuur)

SC Cambuur will be relying on 24-year-old Nienhuis to keep the goals out this season. Although he is currently recovering from a serious injury sustained from late last season, his return is unknown. I am sure all the supporters of Cambuur will be hoping that he recovers in time for the first week of the season, as the team face an impressive FC Twente side at home in Leeuwarden.

I am sure if the Cambuur stand any chance of taking something out of the opening weekend they will need Nienhuis to be in tip-top shape. Mainly due to the fact, that the first choice stopper is recovering from injury, Cambuur have three keepers in their squad for this coming season, including Harm Zeinstra and Jurjan Wouda.

After winning the Eerste Divisie with the club in the 2011/12 season, Nienhuis knows what it is like to taste success. However, as everyone knows not all clubs are capable of continued success, and this upcoming campaign. I cannot imagine Cambuur’s expectations are higher than a play-off place into the Europa league qualifying round and this season could be a real battle for the club, to prove that they are worthy of a spot in the Eredivisie for the 2015/16 season.

Last season Cambuur’s opponents scored first 17 times out of a possible 34 matches, although the team only conceded a -10 goal difference, unlike other teams such as FC Utrecht or Go Ahead Eagles.

FILIP KURTO (FC Dordrecht)

Born on Olsztyn, Poland, Kurto could be the first name on the FC Dordrecht team sheet, as the side attempt to avoid the drop zone this season and resist exiting the Eredivisie in their first year back.

The 23-year-old may be remembered for his embarrassing own-goal last year during the 3-3 draw against FC Utrecht while keeping goal for Roda JC. He was released by the club and in July 2014, he signed a contract for the newly promoted FC Dordrecht.

I believe this will be a massive chance for the Pole to prove himself in the Dutch top flight and also to demonstrate to his old side that he should not have been let go so easily. Kurto is no stranger to Eredivisie football after appearing 65 times for Roda JC in the last two campaigns. As a relatively young keeper, I would love to see this number one at Dordrecht having the season of his life. I have high hopes for this club in general this coming season, however they will have to build from the back and no better way to do it than to start off with a keeper that has a safe pair of hands.

JORDY DECKERS (Excelsior)

Deckers will be preparing for a busy season ahead as his club Excelsior Rotterdam in their fight to try to avoid the drop zone like so many other clubs this season.

The 6ft 3 inches goalkeeper has appeared 54 times prior for Excelsior. He was a large part of the Rotterdam side’s promotion success last year as Deckers went on to play 38 Eerste Divisie matches and appeared in the four play-off matches.

The Dutchman will be out to do his best this upcoming season and there is no doubt, that the pressure will be on. Hopefully he can return from his summer break with a smoking hot pair of gloves to keep this club in the league. Success could be discovered by the club by competing in the KNVB Beker and doing respectablely well. This would be a great positive for the club, which I believe can only go into this season with realistic views and not get too eager.

All eyes in the Woudestein will be on Deckers this coming season, as his inexperienced defence will come under immense strain from the attacking forces of several of the top sides.

KOSTAS LAMPROU (Willem II)

Beginning his loan spell at Willem II for this campaign, Lamprou will be hoping he can show his parent club Feyenoord that he is worthy of a place in their starting eleven.

Born in Athens, Lamprou could be in the spotlight every weekend as his side attempt to fight for their lives in the Eredivisie. In 2012, he received the call from Greece national side, due to his consistency. However, his lack of height has continued to hinder his goalkeeping career, as he has received criticism from past stars of the game for only being 5ft 10. Which is a tad small for a regular keeper of this day and age, but this should not be too much of a factor for Lamprou this season.

Either way, the Greek keeper will have his work cut out for him this season and keeping a well mannered defence will be his main priority.

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FEATURE

Who could be Eredivisie 2014/15 top scorer?

July 19, 2014 Will Burns 2 Comments

The top goal scorer in the Eredivisie last season was won by the Icelandic international and SC Heerenveen striker Alfred Finnbogason. He top scored with 29 goals proving that he was worthy of his market value.

Although this coming season, the Eredivisie will not be home to the likes of Finnbogason or the runner-up of last season’s title Graziano Pellè, who scored 23 goals last term for Feyenoord.

Both strikers have left the league for their new clubs. Finnbogason signing for the La Liga side Real Sociedad and Pellè joined his former manager Ronald Koeman at Premier League side Southampton.

As both first and second place top scorers of the league last season have departed along with other competitors such as Dušan Tadić. The Serbian international notched 16 times last season and finished fourth top goal scorer for his club FC Twente. Tadić has also recently transferred to Southampton and this leaves a massive opportunity for other young talented players to make a name for themselves this coming season.

Here are a number of players that I consider will be competing to win the ‘Golden Boot’ in the Eredivisie.

LUC CASTAIGNOS

The Dutch born striker who plays for FC Twente showed us why he deserves to play for the Jong Oranje last year as he went on to score 14 goals, unlike other strikers strangely none of his goals came from the penalty spot. His playing style has led the media to compare him to the French legend Thierry Henry and he also holds the all-time Netherlands Under-17s leading goalscorer honour.

Twente lost their top scorer from last season Tadić, this should mean that the club will rely on Castaignos even more during the coming season to provide them with more goals than he usually is expected to score.

ARON JÓHANNSSON

I have high expectations for this AZ Alkmaar striker during the 2014/15 campaign. During last term, he managed to score 17 finishing third behind Finnbogason and Pellè.

He is also returning from the World Cup in Brazil, where he represented the United States during their very successful campaign. Jóhannsson made his World Cup debut during America’s opening match against Ghana, coming on for the injured Jozy Altidore, himself a former player for AZ. His experience was short lived though, as he made very little impact and did not play in their last three matches of the tournament.

The 23-year-old will have to undergo ankle surgery and will be out for the opening six to eight weeks of the season. Considering the only two players that scored more goals than him last season have both left the league means that he should be in with a shout this season no matter if he misses the opening few weeks of the season for AZ.

MEMPHIS DEPAY

This left winger for PSV Eindhoven has always come up with the goals when their needed, but most importantly his World Cup success with the Dutch, finishing third overall in the competition, will come as a massive learning curve for this young talent. After scoring twice during the tournament, Depay’s confidence will be sky high coming into the start of the season. Once Depay is given the license to play an attacking role for his side then he should bag more than his fair share of goals during the 2014-15 campaign.

LEX IMMERS

The number 10 for Feyenoord is sure to score more than a few this season. The departure of Pellè will mean that more will be expected of Immers and he has proven that he is a threat to any defence in the league after notching 12 times last campaign.

This attacking midfielder should be more than just competing for the Eredivisie championship this season.

THE OTHERS

Other names such as NAC Breda’s new signing Erik Falkenburg will also be attempting to make an impact at his new club and to become the top goalscorer would be the perfect way to do it.

Names such as Bryan Linssen (Heracles), Jens Toornstra (FC Utrecht) and Jurgen Locadia (PSV) are players that cannot be ruled out to challenge for the title of leading goalscorer in the Eredivisie during the upcoming campaign.

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EREDIVISIE, EREDIVISIE REPORT

Week 32 Eredivisie Weekend Wrap-up: Ajax virtually crowned

April 14, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

League leaders Ajax defeated ADO Den Haag 3-2 to move within one point of clinching the Eredivisie title. Feyenoord are the only side that can mathematically catch the Amsterdammers, however it looks high unlikely as the Rotterdam side will have to hope the defending champions lose their last two games and that they can make up a nine-goal deficit on the way.

Saturday 12th April 2014

Jon Dahl Tomasson’s Roda JC will finish in the bottom three after Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at FC Twente left them eight points adrift of safety with two games to go. The rock-bottom Roda will either be automatically relegated or have to compete for this Eredivisie survival in the relegation play-off. Young Norwegian striker Torgeir Børven scored twice in the opening 26 minutes to virtually cement all three points to Michel Jansen’s side, as former Arsenal youth player Kyle Ebecilio made sure in the second-half.

Seven goals were exchanged in a topsy-turvy contest as SC Cambuur defeated Vitesse 4-3 to ruin Peter Bosz’s men’s chances of an automatic Europa League spot. Full-back Kelvin Leerdam struck first for Vitesse before scoring past his own goalkeeper following Martijn Barto’s equaliser. Although, it was level at half-time as Chelsea loanee Christian Atsu restored parity. Chelsea team-mate Bertrand Traoré put the visitors back in front 11 minutes into the second half but Bartholomew Ogbeche and Barto scored within five minutes of one another to send the Cambuurstadion into raptures.

Go Ahead Eagles need one more point to mathematically secure their Eredivisie status as lost 2-0 to Heerenveen at De Adelaarshorst. Impressive young left-back Joost van Aken nodded Marco van Basten’s side in front in only his second full start for the club. On 76 minutes, Alfred Finnbogason scored Heerenveen’s second after some good work from Bilal Basacikoglu on the right-wing. The goal was the Icelander’s 27th of the Eredivisie campaign.

Sunday 13th April 2014

Frank de Boer’s Ajax defeated Henk Fraser’s ADO Den Haag in a five goal thriller, however, Feyenoord’s 2-0 victory over PSV ensured that Koeman’s men remain six points behind in second place with two rounds of games remaining. If Ajax can clinch at least a point away to Heracles Almelo in a fortnight, they will clinch their fourth successive Eredivisie championship.

Danish midfielder Christian Poulsen gave the league leaders the lead on 35 minutes, although within a minute ADO drew level via Stefano Denswil scoring in his own net to send the sides in at half-time all square.

Second-half goals from Davy Klaassen and Thulani Serero put Ajax 3-1 up with central defender Tom Beugelsdijk scoring a last-minute goal to cut the deficit for ADO. However, it was too late to make an impact when referee Richard Liesveld blew for full-time just moments later

Along with their slim title hopes, Feyenoord maintain their second place with the consolation prize of Champions League qualification well within their grasps. Goals from defensive duo Joris Mathijsen and Daryl Janmaat gave them the win over PSV Eindhoven, who have now suffered three consecutive defeats since Philip Cocu was called out of action after a back operation.

NEC Nijmegen are set to compete relegation play-off in a month’s time although they held AZ Alkmaar to an impressive 1-1 draw that leaves them five points from safety. Dick Advocaat’s side took a second half lead through Nemanja Gudelj’s penalty on 55 minutes but NEC midfielder Kevin Conboy netted three minutes from time to secure a valuable point.

Fellow relegation contenders RKC Waalwijk played out a 1-1 draw with PEC Zwolle and now are three points off safety. RKC striker Daniel De Ridder scored just before the hour mark, but his goal was cancelled out by PEC’s Mateusz Klich just nine minutes later.

FC Utrecht will play Eredivisie football next season after they eased their relegation worries thanks to first-half goals from Jacob Mulenga and Juan Agudelo that earned Jan Wouters’ side a 2-1 victory over Heracles. The visitors saw Mikhail Rosheuvel hit back on 64 minutes and defender Bart Schenkeveld was dismissed with five minutes remaining to halt any ideas of a draw for the Almelo side.

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Week 31 Eredivisie Report: Kostic late winner clinches points

April 11, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

Friday 11th April 2014

FC GRONINGEN 2-1 NAC BREDA

Filip Kostic hit an 92nd minute solo effort to give Edwin van der Looi’s FC Groningen their fourth consecutive win in tonight’s 2-1 victory over NAC Breda.

The visitors felt robbed just before half-time when Chelsea loanee Stipe Perica hit an effort towards goal and Hans Hateboer booted the ball off the line. NAC players protested with referee Eric Braamhaar but the official waved away appeals. Video replays showed that decision was very close and may indeed have been the wrong one.

After the goal-less first half, it took ten minutes into the second half for Groningen to take the lead. Braamhaar awarded the hosts a penalty after Gill Swerts fouled Filip Kostic in the box and Nick van der Velden hit home the resulting penalty.

NAC, desperate for points, pressed for the equalising goal and Stipe Perica notched the leveller on 73 minutes. The young Croatian striker beautifully controlled a cross on his chest and smashed the ball into the net, giving Groningen goalkeeper Marco Bizot no chance of stopping.

The visitors attacked for all three points and came close on two occasions through Danny Verbeek and Perica. However, it would be Groningen to claim the maximum points two minutes into stoppage time with Filip Kostic notching his eighth goal of the season. Cutting in from the right-wing, dodging a few challenges before smashing a shot home from outside of the area.

The Eruoborg erupted as the final whistle was blown and Groningen have now virtually confirmed their berth in Europa League playoffs. Meanwhile, NAC sit only four points off the dropzone and must face the visit of RKC Waalwijk in a potential six-pointer.

TEAMS

GRONINGEN: Bizot, Hateboer, Botteghin, Wijnaldum, Burnet, Kieftenbeld, Adorjan (De Leeuw 89), Lindgren (Van Nieff 79), Van der Velden (Kirm 84), Zivkovic, Kostic.

SUBS NOT USED: Van der Lei, Clintje, Saban, Zeefuik.

GOALS: Van der Velden 55, Kostic 90+2.

BOOKINGS: Burnet 60, Kostic 88, De Leeuw 90+2.

NAC: Ten Rouwelaar, Drost, Kwakman, Gilissen (Verbeek 70), Hooi, Matic, Poepon, Perica, Swerts (Van der Weg 74), Buijs, Bodor.

SUBS NOT USED: Babos, Hadouir, Seuntjens, Sarpong, Suk.

GOALS: Perica 73.

BOOKINGS: None.

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BETTING TIPS, EREDIVISIE, EREDIVISIE PREVIEW

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.

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

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Week 31 Eredivisie Weekend Wrap-up: Ajax leave champagne on ice

April 6, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

League leaders Ajax are yet to clinch the Eredivisie title as they were held 1-1 by Vitesse at the Gelredome on Sunday. Elsewhere, Feyenoord maintained second place and Twente in third as PSV were defeated 3-0 by Heerenveen on Saturday night.

Saturday 5th April 2014

PSV, minus head coach Philip Cocu, fell to heavy 3-0 defeat on Saturday evening to Marco van Basten’s Heerenveen. Ernest Faber, deputising for Cocu, has now lead the Eindhoven side to two defeats in two and their aspirations of Champions League football next season have been dashed. Balil Basacikoglu netted on the half-hour mark but second half goals from Rajiv van la Parra and Alfred Finnbogason has now stuck PSV down into fifth place but are five points ahead of Heerenveen who sit a place behind them.

Twente stay in third after winning 2-0 away to NAC Breda thanks to goals from Felipe Gutiérrez and Dušan Tadić. Dropping down to fifteenth in the standings, Breda are now only four points away from the drop zone.

Go Ahead Eagles steered themselves out of relegation trouble with a 2-1 away win at Heracles. Mikhail Rosheuvel, a threat throughout and put the hosts into a first-half lead but the Eagles turned the game on its head after the interval. Midfielders Deniz Türüç and Erik Falkenburg scored the goals to move Go Ahead up to 11th place even though Jarchinio Antonia was dismissed two minutes before time.

NEC Nijmegen stay second bottom and six points from safety after being held 1-1 by manager-less SC Cambuur in a game that saw three sending-offs in four minutes. Geoffrey Castillion gave NEC the lead but Mart Dijkstra equalised just after half-time. NEC captain was sent off six minutes from time and the sides were evened up when Marcel Ritzmaier was given his second yellow minutes later. However, the relegation strugglers were reduced to nine with just two minutes remaining when Rens van Eijden received his second booking.

Sunday 6th April 2014

Frank de Boer’s Ajax came back from a goal down to draw 1-1 at Vitesse, however, being six points clear of Feyenoord in second, remained on track to win their fourth consecutive Eredivisie championship. The Amsterdammers fell mid-way through the first-half when Chelsea loanee Bertrand Traoré netted. Icelandic international forward Kolbeinn Sigthórsson equalized two minutes after the break to earn his side the point.

Sunday also saw the return of Italian striker Graziano Pelle to the Feyenoord side after a four-game suspension and he notched both goals in his side’s 2-0 with over RKC Waalwijk. Ronald Koeman’s men travel to PSV next weekend but look most likely to claim the second Champions League spot.

ADO Den Haag are still undefeated under Henk Fraser after smashing ten-men FC Utrecht by four goals to one. Ronald Alberg and Mike van Duinen sent Utrecht in at half-time two goals down, and Mitchell Schet and Michiel Kramer added to the tally in the second half. Utrecht saw striker Steve de Ridder dismissed after just 24 minutes for two bookings and Jens Toornstra grabbed a last minute consolation goal.

In the final game of the weekend, basement boys Roda JC held AZ Alkmaar to a 2-2 draw that yet another red card. Berry Powel put Jon Dahl Tomasson’s men ahead but AZ midfielder Markus Henriksen equalised before half-time. American striker Aron Johansson notched before the hour mark to give the visitors the lead but Guus Hupperts snatched the leveller twenty minutes from time. With just below ten minutes remaining, Guy Ramos saw red for his second bookable offence. Roda look doomed and are eight points away from safety, results next weekend could see them confirmed to the relegation play off places.

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BETTING TIPS, EREDIVISIE, EREDIVISIE PREVIEW

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.

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

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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EREDIVISIE, EREDIVISIE REPORT

Midweek Eredivisie Report: Ajax & Feyenoord pull away

April 3, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

On a night which saw four red cards in the Eredivisie, Ajax take a further step to clinching their fourth championship in a row as Feyenoord pull away from the chasing pack in second.

Wednesday 2nd April

GO AHEAD EAGLES 2-1 NAC BREDA

Go Ahead Eagles pulled four points clear from the drop zone with a vital 2-1 home win over NAC Breda.

Adelaarshorst was sent into raptures on 26 minutes when Jarchinio Antonia displayed his skills with a wonderful solo goal which ended up with the winger delightfully chipping the ball over NAC goalkeeper Jelle ten Rouwelaar to put the hosts in front.

Jordy Buijs got the equaliser with a smart free-kick from the edge of the box on 38 minutes. A low grass-cutting effort that sneaked under the wall and left Go Ahead’s Danish keeper Stephan Andersen totally bemused.

However, the hosts grabbed the late winner through an own goal from Henrico Drost after the NAC defender stuck a leg out trying to stop a Sjoerd Overgoor effort but diverted the ball past Ten Rouwelaar to give Go Ahead the win.

TEAMS

GO AHEAD: Andersen, Amevor (Haps 86), Vriends, Van den Linden, Schenk, Overgoor, Falkenburg, Rijsdijk (Lambooij 88), Antonia, Kolder, Houtkoop (Godee 66).

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

GOALS: Antonia 26, Drost 84.

BOOKINGS: Amevor 85.

NAC: Ten Rouwelaar, De Roover, Drost (Hadouir 88), Kwakman, Swerts, Buijs, Matic, Bodor, Hooi, Poepon (Perica 78), Verbeek (Sarpong 46).

SUBS NOT USED: Babos, Van der Weg, Suk, Seuntjens.

GOALS: Buijs 38.

BOOKINGS: Swerts 21, Buijs 33, Ten Rouwelaar 85.

HERACLES 1-2 FEYENOORD

Feyenoord defeated Heracles Almelo 2-1 to make the gap between second and third placed FC Twente to four points which makes Ronald Koeman’s side favourites to clinch the Champions League qualification spot.

The hosts took control early in the game as the tricky Iliass Bel Hassani scored the opening goal after 14 minutes. The 21-year-old, cut inside from the left-wing and avoided the challenges of Jordy Clasie and Daryl Janmaat to drive a low left-footed shot to beat Erwin Mulder in goal.

Feyenoord were 2-1 up before half-time with young striker Mitchell te Verde heading home a Clasie corner on the half-hour mark. Four minutes before the break, Ronald Koeman’s side took the lead and what turned out to be the winning goal by Tony Vilhena.

The Rotterdam side look to nail the Champions League place down but face tough tests against PSV and AZ Alkmaar before the end of the season.

TEAMS

HERACLES: Pasveer, Koenders, Schenkeveld, Veldmate, Davidson, Bruns (Cziommer 62), Rienstra, Bel Hassani, Tannane (Rosheuvel 25), Uth (Amoah 46), Linssen.

SUBS NOT USED: Telgenkamp, Belterman, Streutker, Quansah.

GOALS: Bel Hassani 14.

BOOKINGS: Cziommer 72, Amoah 84.

SENT OFF: Cziommer 87.

FEYENOORD: Mulder, Janmaat, De Vrij, Martins Indi (Van Beek 90+1), Kongolo, Clasie, Immers, Vilhena (Vormer 78), Schaken, Te Vrede, Boëtius (Verhoek 57).

SUBS NOT USED: Lamprou, Armenteros, Bakkal, Nelom.

GOALS: Te Vrede 30, Vilhena 41.

BOOKINGS: Verhoek 90+4.

RKC WAALWIJK 0-2 AJAX

Ajax could win the Eredivisie title at the weekend against Vitesse if Feyenoord fail to beat Ajax’ opponents tonight RKC Waalwijk. Frank de Boer’s men controlled RKC to take a 2-0 victory back to Amsterdam.

Ajax were not messing about in Waalwijk and went a goal up after just 14 minutes. Central defender Joël Veltman rising above everyone at the back post to head home from a Lasse Schöne corner.

It was 2-0 before the half-hour with Davy Klaassen finishing the move that Kolbeinn Sigthórsson orchestrated.

RKC remain up to their knees in relegation trouble four points adrift from safety with just four games left to play.

TEAMS

RKC: Van Dijk, Lamey (Apau 26), Van Hoevelen, Prince, Amieux, Sno, Jungschläger, Duits, Castelen (Anderson 73), Beauguel, De Ridder (Joachim 57).

SUBS NOT USED: Šeda, Van Mosselveld, Braber, Schet.

GOALS: None.

BOOKINGS: None.

AJAX: Cillessen, Van Rhijn, Veltman, Denswil, Blind, Klaassen (Serero 82), Poulsen, Duarte, De Sa (Kishna68), Sigthórsson, Schöne.

SUBS NOT USED: Vermeer, Van der Hoorn, Boilesen, Riedewald, Bojan.

GOALS: Veltman 14, Klaassen 28.

BOOKINGS: None.

FC TWENTE 1-1 ADO DEN HAAG

Henk Fraser managed ADO to another fantastic result a 1-1 draw away to FC Twente, who ended the game with just nine men. However, ADO have now gone eight games unbeaten for the first time since 1972.

The hosts took the lead in the ninth minute through Felipe Gutiérrez when he coolly finished a move created by Quincy Promes.

The three points looked to be slipping away out of Twente’s grasp just after the hour mark when Rasmus Bengtsson was dismissed for a professional foul when he bundled over ADO striker Michiel Kramer, who was racing through on goal. The resulting free-kick on the edge of the area by Danny Holla was curled perfectly low around the wall but was tipped onto the post by Twente keeper Nick Marsman.

Luc Castaignos thought he had sealed the win for his side on 75 minutes but had his effort correctly ruled out for offside.

With just nine minutes to go, Michiel Kramer nodded home the all important equaliser from a wonderful cross from right-back Dion Malone.

Twente saw red again before full-time with Castaignos given his marching orders for a harsh challenge on Malone.

The hopes of Twente’s Champions League qualification take a blow but the point lifts the Enschede side above Vitesse, whose links with Premier League giants Chelsea were revealed to be under investigation by the KNVB on Wednesday.

TEAMS

TWENTE: Marsman, Martina, Bengtsson, Bjelland, Koppers, Ebecilio (Breukers 92), Brama (Roseler 85), Gutiérrez, Promes (Mokhtar 81), Castaignos, Tadić.

SUBS NOT USED: Stevens, Schilder, Corona, Borven.

GOALS: Gutiérrez 9.

BOOKINGS: None.

SENT OFF: Bengtsson 64, Castaignos 88.

ADO: Coutinho, Zuiverloon (Van Haaren 59), Wormgoor, Bakker, Meijers, Malone, Holla, Alberg, Schet (Wildschut 81), Kramer, Cabral (Gouriye 78).

SUBS NOT USED: Zwinkles, Gehrt, Buwalda, Kanon.

GOALS: Kramer 82.

BOOKINGS: None.

FC UTRECHT 1-0 SC CAMBUUR

Jacob Mulenga, making his first start since November last year, scored the only goal of the game as FC Utrecht eased their relegation worries at home to mid-table SC Cambuur.

Jan Wouters will be a relieved man as he witnessed his side clinch their first win in five games to steer clear of relegation worries.

Jacob Mulenga poked home the winner on 56 minutes after Steve de Ridder had fed the Zambian striker through on goal. The visitor’s hopes of a comeback were dented midway through the second half when Lucas Bijker was shown red for a rash challenge on Adam Sarota.

Cambuur’s great season could end on a sour note after Tuesday saw manager Dwight Lodeweges announce he would be leaving for Heerenveen at the end of season. The Leeuwarden’s sides fans protested on Wednesday morning which saw Lodeweges resigned later that day. They sit only three points off the Europa League playoff places but with caretaker manager Henk de Jong leading them out for the last four games, this may be out of their reach.

TEAMS

UTRECHT: Ruiter, Van der Maarel, Delpierre, Heerings, Bulthuis, Sarota, Mårtensson, Toornstra, Oar, Mulenga, De Ridder.

SUBS NOT USED: Verhoeven, Van der Gun, Markiet, Diemers, Agudelo, Dorda, Quesada.

GOALS: None.

BOOKINGS: None.

CAMBUUR: Nienhuis, Droste, Leeuwin, Van der Laan, Bijker, Bakker, El Makrini, Ritzmaier, Lukoki, Barto, Manu.

SUBS NOT USED: Zeinstra, Periera, Van Moorsel, Hemmen, Dijkstra, Ogbeche, Schepers.

GOALS: None.

BOOKINGS: None.

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EREDIVISIE, EREDIVISIE REPORT

Week 30 Eredivisie Report: Late drama as NAC and Utrecht share points

March 28, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

Friday 28th March 2014

NAC BREDA 2-2 FC UTRECHT

Three goals in the final four minutes finally brought some excitement to the game in Breda tonight as NAC and Utrecht drew 2-2.

The game got underway eight minutes late after grounds men had to come to the rescue when large craters in the pitch had been created by pre-match fireworks. Once the fun and games was over, the action got going at a slow pace. After a goal-less first half we thought we had a goal on 55 minutes but Rydell Poepon was a mile offside when he tapped home from Robbin Ruiter’s save.

The opening goal came just before the hour mark as Danny Verbeek was found by a Kees Kwakman pass and the striker had plenty of time in the area to lash home a left footed shot that gave Ruiter no chance of stopping.

Jan Wouters’ side desperate for points pressed for a goal and on 86 minutes they got their wish against the run of play. Australian midfielder Tommy Oar floated in a free kick allowing defender Dave Bulthuis to cleverly nod home past Jelle ten Rouwelaar.

Utrecht possibly settled and thought they had clinched an away point but Rydell Poepon had other ideas. A minute before time, the striker rose above Bulthuis to head home Elson Hooi’s cross from the right-wing. The effort should have been stopped by Ruiter as he palmed it into the net.

When NAC and the home fans obviously thought they had snatched all three points but Cedric van der Gun stole the point for Utrecht. Mark van der Maarel launched a long ball into the box and after Steve de Ridder failed to connect with an header, the ball fell perfectly for Van der Gun to smash home from close range.

An unbelievable end to the game that keeps Utrecht in 14th on 32 points, five clear of the drop zone while NAC Breda stay in 11th on 34 points.

TEAMS

NAC: Ten Rouwelaar, De Roover, Drost, Kwakman, Swerts, Buijs, Bodor, Matic, Hooi, Poepon, Verbeek (Perica 90).

SUBS NOT USED: Babos, Sarpong, Suk, El Allouchi, Seuntjens, Van der Weg.

GOALS: Verbeek 58, Poepon 88.

BOOKINGS: None.

UTRECHT: Ruiter, Van der Maarel, Delpierre, Heerings, Bulthuis, Van der Gun, Mårtensson, Toornstra (Sarota 82), Oar, De Ridder, Agudelo (Mulenga 66).

SUBS NOT USED: Verhoeven, Diemers, Dorda, Quesada, Markiet.

GOALS: Bulthuis 86, Van der Gun 90.

BOOKINGS: None.

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BETTING TIPS, EREDIVISIE, EREDIVISIE PREVIEW

EREDIVISIE WEEK 30 – Friday’s Preview & Betting Tip

March 28, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

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 28th March

NAC BREDA vs. FC UTRECHT (19:00 GMT)

In the Friday night game, it’s 11th placed NAC Breda playing host to FC Utrecht who currently sit in 14th, both teams are uncomfortably too close to the relegation battle below them.

For NAC, they are six points clear of drop zone but without a win in five games, Nebojša Gudelj’s men could easily get dragged into the bottom three if they do not pick up points as we head into the business end of the season. Jan Wouters’ Utrecht are worse off, just three points ahead of 16th placed RKC Waalwijk and that is due to just one win in the last 12 Eredivisie matches.

For our best bet, I can’t see either side claiming all three points on Friday night. Last time out, NAC grabbed a great result by holding leaders Ajax to a 0-0 draw and although, the defending champions are not playing at their best, NAC goalkeeper Jelle ten Rouwelaar had an excellent game. Meanwhile, Utrecht failed to hold onto the lead twice last weekend to fellow strugglers NEC Nijmegen. This will an even game with an even score at full-time and the 13/5 price at Bet Victor is our best bet.

BEST BET: Draw (13/5 – Bet Victor)

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