Vitesse Arnhem v Sparta Rotterdam

Last week was a good one for Vitesse – beating Rapid Vienna in Europe and winning well in their local derby against NEC in the Eredivisie. Winning at home has proven tricky for the Arnhem side this season, but it looked like the form carried through from Europe to help emulate another spirited performance.

Sparta too fought hard in their last match against PSV; although they held a lead, they weren’t able to successfully play in a low block to see it out. Henk Fraser’s side don’t ever play much differently to this resolute style that helped them finish eighth last season, yet sees them second bottom with only three wins from twenty-three in this.

I think Sparta’s negative style plays into Vitesse’s hands. It won’t be a high-scoring game because of that. Vitesse will hope to have Riechedly Bazoer and Max Wittek back in preparation of their huge European double-header with Roma six days after this Friday game, which I think helps Vitesse as they know they have the best part of a week to recover and prepare. Because of Vitesse’s record of only five wins from twelve at home in the Eredivisie, I am reluctant to be overly positive of a home win, though they have greatly improved since they were conceding goals for fun after Christmas – the feeling has changed around the squad and they’re excited to play Roma

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Willem II v Heerenveen

Willem II sit only two points above the relegation drop zone. Something has to give eventually for Fred Grim; he came into the club in the summer with so much credit in the bank thanks to his excellent job with RKC Waalwijk. It now looks like they’re plummeting into certain relegation: 14 defeats from the last 15 games; they haven’t scored in 10 of those 15 losses; and one shot on target or less in six of those last seven.

Both of these sides will be looking at each other this weekend thinking it’s time to end their poor runs. The difference for Heerenveen, who have lost their last eight in a row in all competitions, is that they have been improving as a unit with their new players settling in OK. They have decent quality in midfield with Tibor Halilovic and Thom Haye, and potential in strikers Sydney van Hoojidonk and Amin Sarr, but Sarr has yet to show his big potential because he has been played on the left-wing when he is in fact a striker.

So I feel like this game is a turning point for either side for the remainder of the season. In my view, it is more likely that the Frisians take a positive result back to the north of the Netherlands given their higher quality players and the rotten run that Willem II have been on – I watched them lose to Groningen last time out, and apart from one chance, I thought they were very disjointed as an attacking unit. Being positive for Heerenveen with a handicap is a good idea with the home side unlikely to turn them over.

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Go Ahead Eagles v FC Utrecht

Go Ahead Eagles have picked up an incredible four points from Ajax this season! That win last weekend was very unexpected but goes a long way to keeping the Deventer side in the Eredivisie for next season. They rode their luck at times – as they did when they got a plucky draw from Twente lately – though I like a couple of their forward players and I think they could excite home supporters again here, where they are expected to be the underdog again for the third time in six days. The Eagles had a cup game on Wednesday against PSV but narrowly lost 1-2. A red card in the first half for Joris Kramer upset the tie and they couldn’t hold on to their narrow advantage.

Utrecht seem like they are going to be up and down now until the end of the season when they can then look to replace head coach René Hake and choose whether to invest. Their away record is why they have struggled to break into the Eredivisie top four – only winning four out of twelve. They don’t dominate these games that well on the ball.

All things considered, I think the home team could get a positive result from this, but might they be exhausted physically from all the games and mentally from tough outings against Ajax and PSV? Tricky to call. I think if Utrecht are going to win, it’ll be if Go Ahead tire in the second half and are unable to keep the ball. So a handicap in favour of the home side should win. 

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Feyenoord v FC Groningen

Feyenoord will be stinging after a loss to table rivals AZ. They had a lot of possession in the second half, but the Alkmaar side showed their strengths in limiting a usually powerful Feyenoord front line. That means the Rotterdam side have lost ground on the Champions League spot (PSV) in second and Ajax in first (who dropped points last weekend) as well as ceding ground to AZ who will be wanting to steal third place.

Groningen, who have not conceded more than one goal in a league match for seven games now, will feel that defensive rigidity is their best bet on Saturday evening to get at least a point. Feyenoord have had some problems facing defensive low blocks this season – particularly five-man defences which Groningen have played at times – but head coach Arne Slot has adjusted to play wider in games they will dominate, including Alireza Jahanbakhsh to provide extra width.

Ultimately, I think Feyenoord are too strong here. They have been enjoying a fun first season under Slot. However, Groningen will make life difficult for the hosts, so an under 3.5 goals bet, with Groningen back in some decent form, could be the edge on the market in this game.

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