After seven Eredivisie games without a win, Ajax have finally decided to part ways with Alfred Schreuder. Edwin van der Sar (the technical director) arguably should have made this move before the World Cup break, in order to give the new head coach time to work in new ideas, but now the new manager will have to hit the ground running amidst a title race.

In charge for this game is coach Johnny Heitinga, which suggests the low-quality football will be continuing for the time being. Their 1-1 draw with Volendam was a new low, with Mo Kudus only able to get his goal following a long ball forward to Lorenzo Lucca, far from the free-flowing attacking football under the previous coach.

In the league, Excelsior have learnt to tighten up defensively recently after consistently leaking goals in the early part of the season. Their four games since Christmas have involved one game with only two goals in and the other three only had one in each. Because of this, going for a seemingly unlikely under 3.5 goals involving an improving Excelsior and a declining Ajax provides excellent value as the bookies haven’t quite caught up to the ways each side is trending.

Stijn van Gassel continues to be busy for Excelsior, but he excels, making save after save. Ajax aren’t creating as many good opportunities at the moment, and when van Gassel is called into action, he has proven time and time again that he can be relied upon to keep the ball out.

A match-up between two sides in the Eredivisie relegation zone. Volendam, who seem to have some extra energy and verve returning to the players, really need to take advantage of playing against a Groningen side that is really struggling.

Since Dennis van der Ree was handed the reins, Groningen have actually gotten worse. They are now bottom of the table after losing to lowly Cambuur in the week. Hiring van der Ree has not worked out well for the club, which could have been predicted given his complete lack of experience as a manager. It has been no surprise to see angry scenes in the Groningen crowds.

This month, Volendam have beaten Cambuur and RKC, lost to Excelsior and drawn with Ajax in Amsterdam. There’s a much different feel to them now where they could beat anybody again on their day. Wim Jonk will fire up his troops for this massive game, whilst Groningen need to try and find a foothold.

Even though Groningen have invested in this transfer window to bring in a few extra players, we are yet to see their quality shine through.

I am predicting goals in this one rather than a cautious performance from both teams. Ricardo Pepi has been a threat for the visitors this season so far, and he is due a goal. However, Volendam have a zip back about them now, and Henk Veerman and co offer plenty of threat themselves when playing against a team in their own area of the table.

Anderlecht secured a vital win away at Seraing last matchday, but the fact that these are the crucial games for the club says everything about their season. The club is still in crisis on, and off the pitch and whilst the win against Seraing buys head coach Riemer some time, his side are not prepared to face a team with the quality of Antwerp.

The entry of new arrival Dreyer has given the fans some cause for optimism, but the club look more likely to see an exodus than any influx of new talent. The club’s highest earners are all for sale, and it looks like Dortmund may be about to sign youngster Duranville. He has shown just how good he is, and it would be a real blow for Anderlecht to be forced into letting him go because of their financial situation.

Antwerp meanwhile have a solid starting eleven, including the man who has been dubbed the ‘Belgian Xavi’ in recent weeks, Vermeeren coming in from the youth setup thanks to injuries and grabbing his opportunity with both hands.

They have Stengs out wide and former Spurs man Vincent Janssen up front who has performed markedly better in Belgium than he did in English football, plus the returning Balikwisha, Antwerp look to have far too much for their hosts.

Antwerp can play well both with and without the ball, which is what makes them especially dangerous, and Anderlecht will have to rely on some luck if they are to walk away with any points here. We’re backing a Draw No Bet selection, but there is certainly value to be had in Antwerp to win at 2.30 if you want to boost your odds.

Sjors Ultee finally got his first win as Cambuur boss at the fifth time of asking by beating Groningen. They weathered the storm for large periods and were able to feed off Groningen’s unsettled crowd.

I think this game masked a lot of the problems Cambuur still have, rather than being a turning point, and Fortuna, who picked up three very smart points by beating Heerenveen last time out, will bring out another good performance here.

Captain and striker Burak Yilmaz got an assist followed by a goal to secure three points for the Sittard side. They are trying to look up the table rather than down given that they have a six-point cushion over the bottom three. Yilmaz too is challenging his teammates to beat more of the sides around them so they can push up the table.

It massively helps Fortuna having someone like Yilmaz. His quality answered a lot of the questions they had attacking wise, and they can edge out extra points with his influence. This match feels like another opportunity for them to showcase their better quality and undoubted extra confidence after mid-week’s victory over Heerenveen.

Fenerbahce won against Umraniyespor last week, and though they have not been scoring at such a high rate recently, preferring a more controlled style that limits their opponents chances to score, and it has worked as they have won both of their last two.

Kasimpasa have won just one of six matches so far under Selcuk Inan and lost to Basaksehir at home last week. They have conceded in all six, and in 5 of those 6, they have conceded two goals. They have also scored in every match, so they could get a goal to force the hosts to score again to win the game.

Fenerbahce should have too much for Kasimpasa, they are chasing a title and this is a great opportunity for them.