Utrecht v Cambuur

What an entrance for Bas Dost! The Dutch striker returned to the Netherlands with a fantastic impact, scoring twice after his second-half substitution to rescue a point for Utrecht. Surely this time he has to start the match.

Concerning from an Utrecht point of view was their slow start at RKC. They matched a 3-5-2 formation of their opponents and it led to frustration in the first half. The key change for Henk Fraser needs to be getting the ball wide and quickly into the two strikers that he likes to play together.

Cambuur are notoriously stronger in home fixtures, so expect them to struggle here, but don’t read too much into their defeat to Excelsior last weekend; they dominated possession and had about ten great chances to score. It was nice too to see Henk de Jong back on touchline after some serious poor health last season. He will certainly make a difference for Cambuur.

I would find it highly surprising if there’s anything other than a Utrecht win here. 

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FC Volendam v NEC Nijmegen

When 2-0 down and having to start a 16-year-old at centre-back, Volendam fans may have been fearing a long season. Once adjusted, Wim Jonk’s men responded really well: they had quality to score twice themselves and salvage a draw, and they showed know-how in seeing out the game late on.

NEC lacked an out-and-out striker in their defeat to Twente. Until they make a signing, they will continue to huff and puff in games without any real threat. On the other hand, they have surprised with the transfer of goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen returning to the club and the arrival of centre-back Phillip Sandler.

With NEC’s lack of a goal-scorer, and Volendam’s noisy home crowd, you would be brave to bet against some kind of positive result for the historic side. It seems that ‘The Other Oranje’ have some flaws defensively, but I think Volendam will play in their attacking style that made them so dangerous in the Dutch second tier. Daryl van Mieghem linked up well with Henk Veerman, and attack-minded left-back Derry John Murkin looks like he will replicate the form which made him sought-after in the 20/21 season (before an injury ruled him out for 21/22).

Ajax v FC Groningen

Manager Alfred Schreuder said that he “also learnt a lot” after Ajax’s come-back win at Fortuna. Many fans were unhappy with the players selected. Ajax have a deep squad that will be useful throughout the months. There will be question marks who plays in this fixture with Groningen.

We have to remember that whilst there will be a few surprises throughout the season, Ajax winning games where there are doubts will happen a lot. After going one down to Fortuna, they had a rapid rush of three goals to turn the game around. Despite debate on which striker to play and Dusan Tadic’s best position, they still have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to attacking players.

Groningen had a good start in their opening-day draw with Volendam, but their foot came off the gas once Volendam got their act together in possession. Frank Wormuth is working out his best team in a relatively big roster of players. I think playing only four in defence again could make them too easy to be pulled around by Ajax.

FC Twente v Fortuna Sittard

I hope this will be one of the entertaining games of the weekend. It is very tricky to predict too. Twente boss Ron Jans will be likely to rotate his attacking players again after their game on Thursday (another convincing win in the Europa Conference League qualifiers), but will energy have been sapped from his team?

Fortuna are the team tipped to surprise this season. In last weekend’s preview, I explained the new players will lift them away from relegation trouble; it was nice to see Burak Yilmaz net a free kick on his debut! Yilmaz will hope to start this one and help the away side perhaps cause an upset.

Goals should be on the menu, and the odds will say Twente are in for a home win, but it won’t be as simple as that. I would back Fortuna with a double chance, though the game has an unpredictable nature. You will be safe with a handicap in the visitors’ favour. I can’t see Twente running away with the game against a tough and fresher opponent.

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