A bad weekend last week with Feyenoord failing to impress at home against PSV and AZ losing surprisingly at home to NEC. -7.95 units lost in round 7 decreasing the season total to +3.78 units. Time for a winning week so let's take a look at round 8.

FC Utrecht – AZ, 26 September 2009 18:45 CET

FC Utrecht picked up a 0-1 win on the road to ADO Den Haag last Sunday with the team climbing to the fifth place in the ranking being four points down on the leaders PSV with one game in hand. FC Utrecht played a decent game against ADO Den Haag where the hosts actually deserved a point but Mertens (att) once again showed to be an added value to the team scoring the only goal of the match twenty minutes from time. FC Utrecht will still be without Schut (def) and Maguire (def) with both defenders not being fully recovered from their injuries.

AZ suffered a surprising 0-1 defeat at home to NEC last Saturday due to a goal three minutes from time. AZ played a poor game and did not start pressing for the opening goal until twenty minutes from time, but their 'strategy' backfired with NEC countering to the win. After losing on the road to Olympiakos in the Champions League (1-0) AZ picked up their third defeat in a row and also lost Romero (gk) with a knee injury.

A match that hard to predict with the value being on the home side available at $3.80 on the exchanges. AZ will be looking to bounce back after three defeats in a row while FC Utrecht will be looking to continue their good from to climb up the ranking. A draw will suit both teams and also I can see some goals being scored here on Saturday. FC Utrecht conceded four against FC Groningen last Wednesday and if Elm (att) is included in the starting eleven he seems the man to guide the way for the visitors.

FC Utrecht and AZ to draw $3.50 (General) (2/10)

Elm to score anytime $3.50 (Unibet) (2/10)

RKC Waalwijk – Roda JC, 26 September 2009 19:45 CET

RKC Waalwijk suffered their seventh defeat in a row last week losing 3-1 on the road to Vitesse. Good news for the team was that they finally managed to find the net again with new signing Idabdelhay (att) leveling the score halfway the first half. However, two more goals from the hosts disallowed the bottom dwellers of a stunt and RKC Waalwijk will host Roda JC on Saturday. De Ceulaer (att), Jongsma (mid) and Obodai (def) are expected to remain sidelined and the big question will be…when will RKC Waalwijk pick up their first point in the League?

Roda JC grabbed a 2-0 home win over NAC Breda last weekend thanks to two goals from Junker (att). Roda JC played a decent game and was helped by the poor defending of the visitors and Junker (att) was allowed to bring his season total to four goals. In the Dutch Cup Roda JC booked a narrow 1-2 win over the amateurs of IJsselmeervogels last Tuesday progressing into the next round. The team will have no important missings and Roda JC will travel to Waalwijk with the strongest possible starting eleven.

NO BET

PSV – Willem II, 26 September 2009 19:45 CET

PSV booked a 1-3 win over Feyenoord last Sunday preserving their leading position in the ranking. PSV opened the score in the first half thanks to a goal from Koevermans (att) and ten minutes later the striker netted his sixth goal of the season. Feyenoord managed to pull one goal back but a goal from Bakkal (att) five minutes brought PSV back to a two-goal margin. No goals in the second half meant a comfortable win for PSV who once again showed to be one of the main candidates for the championship this year.

Willem II grabbed their second win of the season last Friday beating FC Groningen 2-1 at home and climbing to the fifteenth place in the ranking. Despite falling one goal behind early in the first half goals from Zijler (att) and Gregoire (mid) shortly before halftime allowed the hosts to take a one-goal lead back into the second half. In the Dutch Cup Willem II suffered a 2-3 home defeat against NAC Breda last Wednesday giving away a 2-0 lead in the last twenty minutes of the match.

PSV is the team in-form at the moment and it will be hard to see how Willem II will be able to stop them from adding another three points to their total. Rutten did not field his strongest side against De Graafschap last Wednesday (2-1) in the Dutch Cup and PSV should be able to book a comfortable home win. However, the odds are too low for me to get involved.

NO BET

FC Twente – VVV Venlo, 26 September 2009 20:45 CET

FC Twente picked up a 0-2 win over SC Heerenveen last Sunday thanks to two goals from Stoch (att). However, the win was in the Dutch media described as 'stolen' with SC Heerenveen actually having the best of the play, especially in the first half. Thanks to the win FC Twente climbed to the second place in the ranking trailing the leaders PSV by only one point. In the Dutch Cup FC Twente booked a convincing 0-8 win over the amateurs of Joure last Wednesday and when luck and goals come together….we can say FC Twente is the team in form at the moment.

VVV Venlo suffered their first defeat of the season last week losing 0-4 at home to Suarez (att) Ajax. VVV Venlo gambled and lost, playing very offensive but falling one goal behind after only two minutes in the game with the visitors opening the score. Until halfway the second half VVV Venlo remained in the race for a point, but three more goals from Suarez (att) ended all hopes to preserved their unbeaten record. In the Dutch Cup VVV Venlo grabbed a 3-0 home win over ADO Den Haag last Wednesday and the confidence in the team has been restored for the game against FC Twente on Saturday.

After losing their first game in the Eredivisie, a second defeat may be on the cards for VVV Venlo but the price that stood out for me was the price on Honda (mid) to find the net. The midfielder already netted five goals in seven games and scoring twice against ADO Den Haag last Wednesday, he shouldn’t be $5.00 to score anytime.

Honda to score anytime $5.00 (2/10)

Ajax – ADO Den Haag, 27 September 2009 12:30 CET

Ajax grabbed a 0-4 win over VVV Venlo last Sunday thanks to four goals from Suarez (att) with the striker bringing his season total to ten goals in seven games. Ajax opened the score early in the first half but failed to score a second goal keeping the hosts in the game until halfway the second half. Three more goals from Suarez (att) allowed Ajax to pick up the win to climb to the third place in the ranking being one point down on the leaders PSV. In the Dutch Cup Ajax grabbed a 1-2 win over AGOVV but the team failed to impress and it was Stekelenburg (gk) preventing his team from the equalizer multiple times in the dying minutes of the game.

ADO Den Haag suffered a 0-1 defeat at home to FC Utrecht last weekend in a game that the hosts should not have lost. ADO Den Haag played a more than decent game but the hosts failed to translate their created chances into goals, where FC Utrecht played a little more efficient opening the score twenty minutes from time. In the Dutch Cup ADO suffered a 3-0 defeat on the road to VVV Venlo and traveling to Ajax with two defeats in one week may not be the easiest of missions missing Ammi (def), Knopper (mid) and Rankovic (mid).

Ajax did not play a good game against AGOVV during the midweek but with Suarez (att) back in the starting eleven Ajax should be able to bang a few goals behind the ADO defense. Taking a 0-0 as cover might pay off but if Ajax manages to score one; more are bound to follow…

Ajax to win AH -1.5 $1.67 (Bet365) (7/10)

Cover on correct score 0-0 $26.00 (Sportingbet) (0.4/10)

NAC Breda – Feyenoord, 27 September 2009 14:30 CET

NAC Breda suffered their second defeat in a row losing 2-0 on the road to Roda JC after being trashed 6-0 by Ajax the week before. NAC Breda once again failed to impress and where their defense was one of the most trustworthy in the Eredivisie last year, this season it seems to shake a bit at the back. In the Dutch Cup NAC Breda miraculously escaped on the road to Willem II last Wednesday scoring three times in the final part of the second half to work away a two-goal disadvantage.

Feyenoord suffered a 1-3 defeat at home to PSV last Sunday with the hosts being taught a lesson in efficiency. PSV opened the score in the first half and with Feyenoord not paying too much attention, the visitors were allowed to double their lead. Slory (att) managed to pull one goal back but sloppy defending allowed PSV to bang in their third of the afternoon. Feyenoord will travel to NAC Breda on Sunday and the reception will be hostile as ever in Breda. Feyenoord will have no important missings and will travel to Breda with a 0-5 win over the Harkemase Boys (am) for the Dutch Cup in their pocket.

Goals, that's all I can see in this one…..so quite simply I am taking on both teams to find the net with both defenses looking a little shaky at the moment.

Both teams to find the net $1.55 (Unibet) (3/10)

FC Groningen – Vitesse, 27 September 2009 14:30 CET

FC Groningen suffered a 2-1 defeat on the road to Willem II last Friday dropping another three points and failing to climb away from the relegation zone. FC Groningen opened the score in the first half with Van der Laak (att) finding the net but two goals from Willem II shortly from halftime left FC Groningen empty-handed once again. A better performance was given on Wednesday, winning 2-4 on the road to FC Utrecht in the Dutch Cup thanks to two goals from Pedersen (att) and Matavz (att).

Vitesse picked up a 3-1 win over RKC Waalwijk last weekend climbing to the tenth place in the ranking. Nilsson (att) opened the score very early in the first half for the hosts but twenty minutes later RKC Waalwijk netted the equalizer behind Velthuizen (gk). Seven minutes before halftime Vitesse grabbed the lead again with Kolk (att) scoring from eleven meters and shortly after halftime it was Verhaegh (def) determining the final score on 3-1. In the Dutch Cup Vitesse progressed into the third round by beating FC Oss 5-2 at home last Tuesday.

NO BET

Sparta  Rotterdam – SC Heerenveen, 27 September 2009 14:30 CET

Sparta Rotterdam grabbed a point on the road to Heracles Almelo last week and remaining three points clear of the relegation zone. The visitors opened the score in the injury time of the first half with Adelaye (mid) finding the net but in the second half Heracles Almelo leveled the score. Sparta Rotterdam ended the match with ten men after the sending off of Boakye (def) after picking up his second yellow card of the match and the defender will be suspended for the game against SC Heerenveen.

SC Heerenveen suffered a 0-2 defeat at home to FC Twente last weekend and the teams remains in the lower regions of the ranking after picking up only four points from seven games. The dismissal of team manager Sollied a few weeks back has not yet led to the desired effect but the game against SDC Putten (am) may have brought some light with SC Heerenveen winning 0-7. The team will travel to Sparta Rotterdam on Sunday looking for a good result to take them out of the relegation zone.

NO BET

NEC – Heracles Almelo, 27 September 2009 16:30 CET

NEC grabbed a 0-1 victory over AZ last Saturday much to the surprise of everybody with the team climbing to the ninth place in the ranking with one game in hand. NEC was not the lesser team over the full ninety minutes but the advantage seemed to shit towards the home side in the final twenty minutes before Davids (mid) opened the score three minutes from time. In the Dutch Cup NEC recorded a 2-3 win over FC Eindhoven progressing into the third round.

Heracles Almelo drew their last game 1-1 at home to Sparta Rotterdam remaining on the twelfth place in the ranking with eigth points form seven games. Heracles Almelo fell one goal behind in the injury time of the first half but halfway the second half Douglas (def) leveled the score for the hosts. With Sparta getting down to ten men fifteen minutes from time the home side was given a one-man advantage but the hosts could not profit from this failing to score the winning goal. For the game against NEC on Sunday Heracles Almelo will have a fully fit selection.

NO BET

A goal in stoppage time for FC Twente denied us of a five week winning streak losing -2.0 units overall over round 6 decreasing the season total to +11.73 units. Due to the Champions League and Europe League obligations a busy week for the involved teams, so let's take a look at the games in Round 7.

Willem II – FC Groningen, 18 September 2009 20:45 CET

Willem II suffered their fifth defeat in a row dropping to the seventeenth place in the ranking collecting only three points in the league so far. Last weekend the team lost 2-3 at home to Feyenoord despite grabbing the lead very early in the game thanks to a goal from Boutahar (mid). However, two goals from Feyenoord turned the game around in the first half but the hosts managed to level the score with Biemans (def) finding the net after half an hour of play. In the second half Feyenoord grew stronger, creating the better chances and the visitors grabbed the lead once again halfway the second half with Willem II not able to fight themselves back in the game.

FC Groningen grabbed their first win of the season last Sunday winning 0-1 on the road to SC Heerenveen thanks to a goal from Nordstrand (att) in the second half. The visitors knew a good start taking the initiative of the game in the first fifteen minutes but slowly SC Heerenveen took over the control of the game. No real big chances were created on either side and it took until the second half for the game to open up. Just when SC Heerenveen started pressing for the opening goal it were the visitors taking the lead with Nordstrand (att) scoring his first goal for FC Groningen in his debut game. The hosts got close in leveling the score twice but good work from Luciano (gk) and Granqvist (def) ensured FC Groningen of the full amount of points, grabbing their first win in Heerenveen since 1997.

A tricky game with the number 17 playing the 14 of the ranking and to be frank….both teams have their problems at the moment. The odds are in the advantage of the away side, most likely due to their win over SC Heerenveen last week while Willem II seems to have lost track a little losing their fifth game in a row. Like in the game between Willem II and Heracles Almelo a few weeks back all outcomes seem possible, so therefore a not bet for me.

NO BET

Heracles Almelo – Sparta Rotterdam, 19 September 2009 18:45 CET

Heracles Almelo suffered a 1-0 defeat on the road to VVV Venlo last weekend dropping to the tenth place in the ranking after losing their second game in a row. VVV Venlo opened the score in the first ten minutes of the first half and apart from a poor effort from Everton (att), Heracles Almelo did not create any chances in the first half. The second half showed a similar scenario with Heracles Almelo trying to put some pressure on the hosts but with VVV Venlo not giving way the visitors returned home empty handed.

Sparta Rotterdam booked a 1-0 win over RKC Waalwijk last Sunday thanks to a goal from Poepon (att) thirteen minutes into the first half. The game between the bottom dweller of the Eredivisie and Sparta was not too entertaining with both teams creating only one possibility in the first half with Slijngard (def) being given the opportunity to double the lead for the hosts shortly before halftime. In the second half –which was as poor in quality as the first one- Sparta remained slightly the better team with chances for Poepon (att) and Dissels (att) but neither the hosts nor the visitors managed to find the net leading to Sparta booking their second win of the season.

With both teams not making the best of impression and the form of Sparta being slightly better over the last few weeks, again a no bet game.

NO BET

Vitesse – RKC Waalwijk, 19 September 2009 19:45 CET

Vitesse dropped two points in the final five minutes against NEC last Sunday by giving away a 2-0 lead. In a slow first half with very little chances and creativity Vitesse opened the score just before halftime with Kolk (att) curling the ball in the far corner of the goal. In the second half both teams started slightly more eager but very sloppy resulting in an unattractive second half in which the hosts doubled their lead ten minutes from time thanks to a goal from Claudemir (mid). Vitesse seemed to have the three points in the bag, but NEC managed to pull one goal back three minutes from time. In the second minute of the stoppage time an own goal from Van Diermen (def) left Vitesse with a hangover and goalkeeper Velthuizen (gk) with some exploding veins on his forehead….

RKC Waalwijk suffered their sixth defeat in a row, once again not managing to score with the team only scoring two goals so far in six games. In the game against Sparta Rotterdam the visitors did not manage to create anything in the first half apart from two possibilities on a chance and playing without much confidence, especially after falling behind early in the game. In the second half it were once again the hosts with the better chances but in the final five minutes of the game RKC Waalwijk started putting some pressure on the goal. However, with no positive result RKC Waalwijk remains at the bottom of the table with zero points from six games, conceding sixteen goals and having scored only twice.

Vitesse played a decent game against NEC last week and I am wondering what the odds on the home side would be in this phase of the competition playing against Sparta Rotterdam or Heracles Almelo. True, RKC Waalwijk is one of the worst teams in the Eredivisie but Vitesse hasn't made much of an impression on me either so far with only one positive results so far. Odds for the home win can be found around $1.40-1.45 but I will be opposing them this game and bet on RKC Waalwijk to grab their first point of the season.

RKC Waalwijk double chance $3.00 (2/10) (Betfair)

Roda JC – NAC Breda, 19 September 2009 19:45 CET

Roda JC picked up their third defeat of the season losing 3-0 on the road to PSV last Saturday and dropping to the fifteenth place in the ranking. PSV opened the score early in the first half and this seemed exactly the start the hosts hoped for with PSV failing to make the play in the first half and leaning back on their lead. However, Roda JC failed to take advantage with the team having difficulties to create chances. In the second half PSV doubled the lead and in the final minute of the game PSV determined the score on 3-0.

NAC Breda knew a complete off-day last Sunday losing 6-0 on the road to Ajax playing an abysmal game. The hosts opened the score early in the first half and the defense of NAC Breda was completely overrun by the eager Ajax strikers. Twenty minutes into the first half NAC Breda got 2-0 down and poor defending and a huge blunder from Gorter (mid) allowed Ajax to cruise to a 4-0 lead at halftime. In the second half things got worse for NAC Breda when Ten Rouwelaer (gk) tried to work away the ball way outside his penalty area allowing Ajax to score an easy goal in front of an empty goal. With Ajax determining the final score on 6-0 halfway the second half, the visitors were lucky that the sharpness edged away a little bit and Penders (def) even more lucky not to receive a red card in the dying minutes of the game after a charge on Pantelic (att) in the penalty area.

After the 6-0 trashing on the road to Ajax last week NAC Breda suffered a sensitive blow. With both teams needing to get back on track I can see an offensive game here and my bet will be for both teams to find the net.

Both teams to score $1.67 (3/10) (Bet365)

AZ – NEC, 19 September 2009 20:45 CET

AZ suffered a 2-1 defeat on the road to ADO Den Haag last Saturday with the team dropping to the fifth place in the ranking and knowing a poor general repetition for their Champions League game against Olympiakos on Wednesday. ADO Den Haag opened the score four minutes into the first half after poor defending from Poulsen (def). AZ failed to take over the initiative in the game in the first half and the team clearly missed the attacking creativity of El Hamdaoui (att) who remained sidelined with an injury. Early in the second half ADO Den Haag doubled their lead and it took AZ until four minutes from time to pull a goal back thanks to a beautiful goal from Lens (att). AZ pressed for the equalizer and was given two good chances on scoring the liberating goal, but the team did not succeed in putting the ball in the back of the net.

How they did it may be the question of the weekend, but NEC managed to erase a two-goal disadvantage in the final three minutes of the game drawing 2-2 against rivals Vitesse on Sunday. In a poor first half it was Vitesse opening the score just before halftime. With both teams making a lot of mistakes in the second half it were once again the hosts finding the net ten minutes from time to double their lead. The victory seemed in the bag for Vitesse but three minutes from time Zomer (def) pulled one goal back for NEC after poor defending from the hosts. Three minutes into stoppage time an own goal from Van Diermen (def) brought NEC alongside Vitesse with NEC grabbing a point and climbing to the twelfth place in the ranking.

AZ suffered a 0-1 defeat on the road to Olympiakos last Wednesday in the Champions League where the visitors deserved at least a point. NEC will be handicapped by the injury of Schöne (att) who will remain sidelined for six months leaving NEC with not much creativity up front. AZ should be able to bounce back with an easy win and I will be pairing them in a double with Ajax this week

AZ home win in a double with Ajax $2.14 (6/10)  (Blue Square)

ADO Den Haag – FC Utrecht, 20 September 2009 12:30 CET

Once again ADO Den Haag succeeded in beating AZ after their 3-0 win last season, albeit with a one-goal difference this year. The hosts grabbed the lead after four minutes in the first half after a stormy start with Verhoek (att) netting the ball behind the AZ goalkeeper much to the delight of team manager Adelaar. The visitors failed to impress in the first half, maybe having their minds on the Champions League game on Wednesday, and early in the second half ADO Den Haag leveled the score thanks to a goal from Immers (att). Four minutes from time AZ managed to pull one goal back but his was not enough to prevent ADO Den Haag from winning their second consecutive home game against AZ to climb to the seventh place in the ranking.

FC Utrecht suffered their first defeat of the season last Saturday on the road to FC Twente. The visitors knew a good start with Van Wolfswinkel (att) opening the score early in the first half, but FC Utrecht decided to defend their lead in the remainder of the first half. FC Twente grew stronger and a mistake from Vorm (gk) allowed N'Kufo (att) to head home the equalizer for the hosts four minutes from halftime. In the second half FC Twente grabbed the lead but it was once again Van Wolfswinkel (att) finding the net with his second goal of the evening to level the score. With both teams creating some small chances it was FC Twente with the most luck, scoring the winning goal in the stoppage time of the second half with FC Utrecht dropping to the sixth place in the ranking.

After their win over AZ in the last round ADO Den Haag is flying high and team manager Adelaar announced to have found the way to beat more top teams at home. With FC Utrecht visiting this is their chance to prove it, but with odds on FC Utrecht above $3.00 I just can't resist in pairing up with the away side here with a cover on the draw.

FC Utrecht to win $3.35 (3/10) (Betfair)

ADO Den Haag and FC Utrecht to draw $3.40 (2/10) (Stan James)

Feyenoord – PSV, 20 September 2009 14:30 CET

Feyenoord booked 2-3 away win over Willem II last Sunday climbing to the second place in the ranking. Willem II opened the score early in the first half but a quick goal equalizer from Tomasson (att) brought the visitors back in the game. Ten minutes later Tomasson (att) once again managed to escape from the attention of his defender to fire Feyenoord into the lead. After half an hour of play Willem II managed to pull one goal back to level the score again with both teams looking for the winning goal in the second half. Halfway the second half a free kick from De Guzman (mid) allowed Feyenoord to take the lead again and with Willem II not able to score a third goal, Feyenoord grabbed the full amount of points.

PSV climbed to the top of the ranking last weekend thanks to a 3-0 home win over Roda JC. The hosts opened the score after six minutes in the first half thanks to a goal from Dzsudzsak (mid) with the midfielder scoring his fourth goal of the season. The hosts did not force their way to a second goal too hard and were helped by the lack of creativity in the team of the visitors. Early in the second half PSV doubled their lead with Manolev (def) finding the net and with Roda JC unable to pull a goal back it was Bakkal (mid) determining the final score on 3-0 in the final minute of the game.

The biggest game of the weekend between the number one and two of the ranking and the bookmakers have trouble in picking a favorite for this game. Traditionally PSV has a little trouble away to Feyenoord and I feel the draw will suit both teams best. Defensively Feyenoord seems to have the advantage here conceding only three goals in their last six games while PSV shipped eight. Taking into account PSV traveled to Prague for the Europe League on Thursday, the advantage shifts a little to the home side so two picks on this game to cover the home win.

Feyenoord to win $2.98 (2/10) (Betfair)

Feyenoord and PSV to draw $3.45 (3/10) (Betfair)

SC Heerenveen – FC Twente, 20 September 2009 14:30 CET

SC Heerenveen once again did not manage to get away from the relegation zone losing 0-1 at home to archrival FC Groningen last Saturday. The team knew a poor start of the match but gained control of the game halfway the first half without creating any decent chances. In the second half the hosts seemed on the good way to open the score but it was FC Groningen finding the net first a little bit against the odds. In the remainder of the second half SC Heerenveen Sibon (att) got close in leveling the score but his effort was cleared from the goal line. In the final minute of the match Dingsdag (def) was sent off after picking up his second yellow card and the defender will automatically be suspended for the game against FC Twente on Sunday.

FC Twente grabbed a 3-2 home win over FC Utrecht last Saturday remaining their undefeated status in the Eredivisie and climbing towards the top of the table. FC Utrecht grabbed the lead in the first half helped by a blunder from Perez (att) who gave the ball away to FC Utrecht striker Van Wolfswinkel just outside the penalty area. Just before halftime N'Kufo (att) headed the hosts back into the game and in the second half Kuiper (def) fired FC Twente into the lead. However, the same Kuiper (def) allowed FC Utrecht to level the score but things seemed to end well for FC Twente after being awarded a penalty in the final minute of the game. However, Perez (att) failed from eleven meters but in the stoppage time Ruiz (att) ensured FC Twente of three points scoring his third goal of the season.

FC Twente grabbed a surprising 1-2 win on the road to Fenerbahce (Tur) in the Europe League last Thursday and with SC Heerenveen losing 2-3 at home to Sporting Lisbon (Por), the momentum is certainly with the away side here. However, FC Twente did not impress much in the games against RKC Waalwijk and FC Utrecht and with the team traveling on Friday I will leave this one alone.

NO BET

VVV Venlo – Ajax, 20 September 2009 14:30 CET

VVV Venlo grabbed their first win in the Eredivisie this season after drawing their previous five games in a row. In the game against fellow possible relegation candidate Heracles Almelo, it was Calabro (att) opening the score eight minutes into the first half firing home the rebound from a free kick of Honda (mid). A few minutes later the midfielder was given a good chance to double the lead, but this proved to be the only chance for either team in a poor first half. In the second half Heracles Almelo tried to put some pressure forward but like in the first half, the match mainly took part on the midfield. VVV Venlo successfully defended their lead without creating any more chances and the team climbed to the ninth place in the ranking preserving their unbeaten status.

Ajax knew a good Sunday trashing NAC Breda 6-0 at home in a game that could have produced more than ten goals if the hosts kept their eagerness in the second half. Ajax grabbed the lead early in the first half thanks to a goal from Cvitanich (att), who was given the advantage over new signing Pantelic (att). Ajax remained by far the most threatening team on the field and translated this in doubling the lead with Vertonghen (def) drilling home a free kick. Two goals before halftime from Suarez (att) and Cvitanich (att) ensured Ajax of a comfortable lead. In the second Ajax started where they left off with Kennedy (att) scoring the fifth goal for Ajax after five minutes and Cvitanich (att) completed his hat trick halfway the second half determining the final score on 6-0. 

Ajax drew their Europe League game against FC Timisoara (Rom) 0-0 in Amsterdam last Thursday although having by far the best of the play and creating a dozen of chances. VVV Venlo remains without defeat in the Eredivisie but against Ajax this streak might end despite the fact Honda (mid) or Calabro (att) may be able to find the net. Odds can be found around $1.50 and I will be taking them in a double with AZ at a very nice $2.14.

Ajax away win in a double with AZ  $2.14 (6/10)  (Blue Square)

Ajax disappointed against Sparta Rotterdam two rounds ago, disallowing us a nice payout. Nevertheless, with VVV Venlo grabbing a draw against FC Groningen and AZ taking three points from SC Heerenveen we managed to book a positive result for the fourth week in a row, albeit a tiny +0.43 units. But hey…profit is profit and we are up +13.73 units this season. Due to holiday we had to skip Round 5 and due to the International games the clubs in the Eredivisie did not get into action last weekend. So…let's take a look at the upcoming games in Round 6!

PSV – Roda JC, 12 September 2009 18:45 CET

PSV grabbed their third win in a row against FC Groningen two weeks ago thanks to two goals from Koevermans (att) who seems to have found his scoring ways again netting four goals in his last two games. In the game against FC Groningen both teams had some trouble in creating chances in the first half with FC Groningen playing with a five-man midfield. In the second half the PSV started pressing for the opening goal resulting in the 0-1 from Koevermans (att) and ten minutes from time the striker locked the game by doubling the lead for the visitors. PSV climbed to the third place in the ranking being one point down on the leaders AZ and the team will host Roda JC on Saturday.

Roda JC suffered their second defeat of the season in a goal fest (3-4) against ADO Den Haag two weeks ago. Barely twenty seconds into the game Roda JC already fell one goal behind and despite putting some serious pressure on Vitesse and leveling the score halfway the first half, it was Vitesse once again taking the lead three minutes from halftime. In a very entertaining second half an own goal from Vitesse defender Van der Struijk (def) brought Roda JC alongside the visitors and six minutes later Hadouir (att) fired his team into the lead for the first time. However, with Vitesse bringing an extra striker on the field, poor defending from Addo (def) allowed Vitesse to level the score and one minute from time Roda JC was left empty-handed with the visitors scoring their fourth goal of the evening.

Roda JC failed to book a win against ADO Den Haag and no surprise is expected this weekend with the team traveling to PSV. The hosts will miss defenders Rodriguez (def) and Marcellis (def) for the game against Roda JC but PSV should be able to outscore Roda JC easily and the miss of the two defenders can be neutralized from the strong bench. PSV is the team to beat here and odds can be found around $1.22 and included in a combo with AZ we get a price of $1.88 (Stan James) for both teams to pick up three points this weekend.

PSV to win in combo with Feyenoord $2.10 (5/10) (General)

FC Twente – FC Utrecht, 12 September 2009 19:45 CET

FC Twente failed to secure the three points in Rotterdam giving away a 0-1 lead in the final minute of injury time. Like many times before once again FC Twente had trouble in scoring a second goal to grab the win, allowing Feyenoord to come back in the game. The hosts had the best of the play in the first half with FC Twente having trouble in neutralizing the Feyenoord attacks and allowing the hosts to create seven good possibilities on the opening goal. The second half showed a different scenario with FC Twente slightly taking over the initiative of the game and twenty minutes from time it was Kuipers (def) opening the score with his first goal of the season. Feyenoord went all out for the equalizer bringing an extra striker on the field, but FC Twente omitted to double their lead twice with the hosts leaving wide gaps in their defense. In the final minute of the stoppage time an easy given penalty to the home side left FC Twente with a hangover, where a win would have taken them to the top of the ranking.

With ten points from four games FC Utrecht has known a good start of the competition adding Sparta Rotterdam to their victory list in their last game. The hosts knew a good start of the game but despite having the best of the play and creating some excellent chances, FC Utrecht failed to put the ball in the back of the net in the first half. In the second half the hosts started where they left off fifteen minutes earlier, by keeping the pressure on the goal of the visitors. Seventeen minutes into the second half FC Utrecht opened the score thanks to a goal from Lensky (def) and eight minutes from time Van Dijk (mid) doubled the lead for the hosts from eleven meters with FC Utrecht climbing to the fifth place in the ranking with one game in hand and being only two points down on the leaders AZ.

FC Utrecht is on excellent streak with ten points from four games and the confidence in the team is high at the moment. FC Utrecht will most likely welcome back Loval (att) and Somers (mid) in the selection after missing the last games due to injuries. FC Twente has a strong home form but against an in-form FC Utrecht they do not deserve to be such favorites, especially after their narrow 2-1 win over RKC Waalwijk in their last home game.  

FC Utrecht not to lose $2.60 (3/10) (Betfair) and FC Utrecht to win $7.60 (1.5/10) (Betfair)

SC Heerenveen – FC Groningen, 12 September 2009 19:45 CET

SC Heerenveen once again suffered a defeat, this time on the road to NAC Breda with the hosts booking a relatively easy 2-0 home win. SC Heerenveen continued their struggling and the team dropped to the fifteenth place in the ranking after their third defeat of the season. In the game against NAC Breda the team once again did not manage to impress with NAC Breda making the play in a slow first half. Six minutes into the second half the hosts opened the score and seven minutes later SC Heerenveen got two goals down. In the remainder of the second half SC Heerenveen managed to create one good chance with Losada (att) firing on goal but the team will need to improve in order to get back within the first nine of the table.

Two points from five games…those are the sad figures for FC Groningen this season so far. With only four goals in five games the absence of a scoring striker after departure of Berg to Hamburger SV becomes more and more obvious and team manager Jans will have to find a solution quickly in order for the team not to slide down the ranking any further. FC Groningen lost their last game 0-2 at home PSV and the team managed to create only one possibility in the first half with Holla (mid) firing on goal from the second line. In the second half two goals from PSV denied the hosts to their first win of the season with FC Groningen dropping to the seventeenth place in the ranking.

Both teams seem hopelessly out of form but games between SC Heerenveen and FC Groningen are always something special in the North. Both teams still miss a lethal striker but with Henrique (att) and Sibon (att) up front, SC Heerenveen has to be given the advantage here. Combined with the home advantage the home win above evens seem worth taking with small stakes.

SC Heerenveen to win $2.10 (3/10) (Betfair)

ADO Den Haag – AZ, 12 September 2009 20:45 CET

ADO Den Haag booked their second consecutive away win in the Eredivisie beating RKC Waalwijk 0-2 on the road after their 1-3 win over Vitesse the week before. The visitors grabbed the lead eight minutes from halftime in a very poor first half from both sides. Milic (att) picked up the ball and the striker netted the ball behind the RKC Waalwijk goalkeeper to score his second goal of the season. In the second half RKC Waalwijk tried to take the initiative in the game with ADO Den Haag looking for a counter attack but both teams did not manage to get very dangerous in front of either goal. However, it was once again ADO Den Haag finding the net with Verhoek (att) doubling the lead seven minutes after halftime and this seemed to kill the attacking intentions of the home side with the remainder of the match ebbing away in a low pace without any highlights.

AZ grabbed the top position in the ranking after a 2-1 win over Willem II and after losing their first game against Heracles Almelo (3-2) the team of Koeman has now won their last four consecutive games. In the game against Willem II the hosts once again impressed in the first fifteen minutes creating a handful of good chances with El Hamdaoui (att) hitting the woodwork and Holman (att) opening the score in the seventh minute. Willem II equalized halfway the first half but a minute later Moreno (def) headed AZ back into the lead. In the second half AZ did not manage to pick up their attacking form from the first half and Willem II even was given a chance on the equalizer, but the visitors failed to put the ball in the back of the net with AZ climbing to the first place in the ranking.

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Willem II – Feyenoord, 13 September 2009 12:30 CET

Willem II suffered a 2-1 defeat on the road to AZ Alkmaar in the last round and the team dropped to the sixteenth place in the ranking picking up only three points from five games. Things are starting to get a little worrying for the team after their fourth defeat in a row; especially given the fact two defeats were booked against possible end-of-season bottom dwellers Sparta Rotterdam and Heracles Almelo. Willem II fell one goal behind early in the first half but a goal from Zijler (att) brought the visitors back into the game. However, AZ grabbed the lead again barely a minute later and efforts from Demouge (att) and Sheotahul (att) in the second half remained fruitless.

Feyenoord grabbed a (deserved) 1-1 draw at home to FC Twente in the dying seconds of the game thanks to an easy given penalty to the hosts. Feyenoord had the best of the play in the first half and the team was very unlucky not to open the score with the FC Twente goalkeeper saving on efforts from De Guzman (mid) and Cissé (att) while Slory (att) saw his effort bounce back from the post. In the second half FC Twente slightly grew stronger leading to the opening goal for the visitors twenty minutes from time. Feyenoord team manager Been replaced Vlaar (def) by Makaay (att) trying to force the deserved equalizer. In the fourth minute of the stoppage time a falsely given free kick for Feyenoord was touched in the wall by an FC Twente player with referee Luinge giving a very easy penalty to the hosts. Makaay (att) did not fail from eleven meters scoring his first goal of the season and the 250^th goal of his career with Feyenoord occupying the second place in the ranking.

Feyenoord played a very good first half against FC Twente and if they can continue this line against Willem II a trashing is on the cards. Willem II is one of the poorest teams in the Eredivisie at this moment losing their last four games in a row. Feyenoord should be able to grab an easy win here at decent odds and I will take them as part of a double together with PSV.

Feyenoord to win in combo with PSV $2.10 (5/10) (General)

Ajax – NAC Breda, 13 September 2009 14:30 CET

Ajax grabbed a 0-3 win on the road to Heracles Almelo in the last playing round, but unlike the score-line might suggest, it wasn't an easy afternoon for the visitors. The hosts had the best of the play in the first half but both teams failed to create any good chances to open the score and it took until the second half for especially Ajax to wake up. From a corner kick Alderweireld (def) opened the score halfway the second half with his first goal of the season and with Heracles Almelo getting down to ten men five minutes later the hosts failed to force their way to the equalizer. Three minutes from time Cvitanich (att) headed the 0-2 behind the Heracles goalkeeper with Aissati (mid) determining the final score on 0-3 two minutes later.

NAC Breda booked their third win of the season at home to SC Heerenveen with the hosts grabbing an easy 2-0 win. In the first half the pace of the game definitely could use some spicing up with the hosts failing to put pressure forward and SC Heerenveen unable to create any good chances. With NAC Breda starting the second half shaper and more focused, the hosts opened the score six minutes later with Kwakman (mid) scoring from the rebound after a goal attempt from Gorter (mid). Seven minutes later Amoah (att) doubled the lead for NAC Breda and the hosts should have decided the game a few minutes later but the referee omitted to award a penalty to the home side after a foul on Amoah (att).

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Sparta – RKC Waalwijk, 13 September 2009 14:30 CET

Sparta suffered their third defeat of the season on the road to FC Utrecht two weeks ago, once again failing to score and dropping to the fourteenth place in the ranking. The hosts had the best of the play in both the first and the second half and Sparta did not manage to create their first chance –and immediately a big one- until ten minutes from halftime. Duplan (att) was sent away after a good counter attack but the FC Utrecht goalkeeper prevented the Sparta striker from scoring. In the second half FC Utrecht grabbed the lead after seventeen minutes but Sparta did not manage to create any good chances on the equalizer with the hosts doubling their lead from eleven meters eight minutes from time.

RKC Waalwijk remains pointless after five games dropping three points at home against ADO Den Haag in the last playing round. In a poor first half from both sides it was ADO Den Haag finding the net shortly before halftime to open the score. The hosts –who missed their most creative striker Benschop (att) - could form any threat in the first half, apart from an off-side goal after half an hour of play. In the second half the visitors doubled their lead after seven minutes already, allowing RKC Waalwijk to throw all their battle plans in the waste bin with both teams playing the remainder of the match on half power. RKC Waalwijk welcomed a new player this week with Idabdelhay (att) coming over on loan from NAC Breda and the striker is expected to be given his first playing minutes against Sparta on Sunday.

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VVV Venlo – Heracles Almelo, 13 September 2009 14:30 CET

VVV Venlo recorded their fifth consecutive draw this season drawing 1-1 on the road to NEC. The visitors opened the score in the first half with Calabro (att) heading an assist from Honda (mid) behind the NEC goalkeeper after half an hour of play. No real chances were created on either side in a tough first half in which a red card could and maybe should have been issued on both sides. In the second half NEC leveled the score and VVV goalkeeper Gentenaar (gk) saved a point for the visitors with excellent saves on various efforts.

Heracles Almelo suffered a 0-3 defeat at home to Ajax despite playing a very decent match and an excellent first half. The hosts had the best of the play in the first half but both Heracles and Ajax were not able to set up any decent attacks. All efforts from the home side stranded on the edge of the penalty area and the same scenario enrolled in the second half. A corner kick for Ajax was headed behind Pieckenhagen (att) for the visitors to open the score and things got worse for the hosts with Quansah (def) receiving his second yellow card after a foul on Suarez (att). Heracles Almelo were pushed back onto their own half and two goals in the final five minutes of the game for Ajax determined the final score on 0-3.

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Vitesse – NEC, 13 September 2009 16:30 CET

Vitesse grabbed their first win of the season on the road to Roda JC two weeks ago thanks to a last minute goal from Kolk (att). The visitors opened the score twenty seconds into the first half with Nilsson (att) scoring the quickest goal in his career. After the opening goal Vitesse was being put under pressure by the home side and halfway the first half the visitors had to concede the equalizer. Three minutes from halftime Hofs (mid) fired Vitesse back into the lead after good work from Kolk (att). In the second half Roda JC leveled the score due to an own goal from Van der Struijk (def) and things got worse for Vitesse with the hosts taking the lead six minutes later. Team manager Bos responded by replacing Van der Struijk (def) by Kaloglu (att) to bring an extra striker on the field and the substitution paid off with Kaloglu (att) netting the equalizer ten minutes later. With both team being given some good chances on the win it was Vitesse taking the full three points with Kolk scoring the winning goal one minute from time with Vitesse climbing to the thirteenth place in the ranking.

NEC booked a 1-1 draw at home to VVV Venlo with the team remaining on the twelfth place in the ranking. The hosts did not play a very good first half and it was VVV Venlo opening the score after half an hour. NEC vainly claimed a penalty after a foul on Fejzalluh (att) but the referee waived the claim away causing much anger among the home crowd. In the second half Zomer (def) leveled the score for NEC and the hosts went looking for the winning goal and got close on various occasions. However, ex-NEC goalkeeper Gentenaar (gk) prevented his former team from scoring saving on efforts from Davids (mid), El Kabir (att) and Schöne (mid) with both teams adding one point to their total after ninety minutes.

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