Fixtures:
Friday: PEC Zwolle v Utrecht
Saturday: NAC Breda v Excelsior, Heracles v AZ, Heerenveen v Dordrecht, Cambuur v Twente
Sunday: Willem II v PSV, Ajax v Vitesse, Go Ahead Eagles v Groningen, Den Haag v Feyenoord
PEC Zwolle v FC Utrecht
These two teams will kick off the new Eredivisie season, in what is set to be a thrilling campaign for all. Last season was incredibly successful for PEC Zwolle, as head coach Ron Jans led them to KNVB Cup success, beating Dutch giants Ajax 5-1 in the final. But that wasn’t enough, they then went on to beat Ajax again, this time 1-0, and got their hands on the Johan Cruijff Schaal. Because of their cup success, they earned a place in the UEFA Europa League for the first time in the club’s history. Last season, Zwolle’s 11th place finish was overshadowed by their KNVB Cup run, but they will aim to pick up 3 points on the first day of the brand new Eredivisie campaign.
On the other hand, Utrecht had a slightly better season in terms of league positioning, as they found themselves finishing 10th, one place above their opposition. Attacking midfielder Jens Toonstra, who scored 12 goals last season, will aim to repeat his success this season. Both teams are very similar when it comes to talent, so the game itself is set to be a tight affair.
Prediction - PEC Zwolle 1-1 FC Utrecht
NAC Breda v SBV Excelsior
NAC had a shaky finish to the 2013/14 Eredivisie season, as they plummeted from 10th to 15th in the last 7 weeks. Their confidence has been knocked by finishing only a mere place above the relegation zone, and will be looking to start the new season with a bang. With the home advantage, and facing a newly promoted side, Gudelj’s men will be feeling confident going into their opening game.
After being promoted back into the Eredivisie from the Eerste Divisie, Excelsior will be trying to avoid relegation this season. However, due to the sale of Lars Weldwijk, who scored 30 goals in 38 games last season, the task seems ever more difficult. Due to only winning 4 games in their previous season in the Eredivisie, this may be a long year for the supporters of Excelsior.
Prediction – NAC Breda 2-0 SBV Excelsior
Heracles Almelo v AZ Alkmaar
Heracles, who finished 14th in the league last year, will look to cause a shock this Saturday against opponents AZ. Heracles will hope to at least draw the game due to their home advantage; however, they face a categorically stronger opponent, so it’s easier said than done. Their top scorer from last season, Bryan Linssen is one to look, as he scored 11 goals in 31 games.
AZ Alkmaar will hope to replicate what was an impressive season, as they finished 8th in the league after concluding in 10th the previous year. Last season was tiring for AZ, as they played a club record of 58 games and reached the semi-final of the KNVB Beker. They will aim to start the season well, but a trip to Heracles Almelo has proved difficult in the past, as Heracles took all 3 points the last time these sides met at the Polman Stadion by securing a 2-0 win.
Prediction – Heracles Almelo 1-3 AZ Alkmaar
SC Heerenveen v FC Dordrecht
This game will take place at the astounding Abe Lenstra Stadion, and SC Heerenveen will be disappointed with anything but 3 points. Despite the league’s top scorer, A. Finnbogason leaving the Netherlands for Real Sociedad in Spain, the Dutch giants will hope to crush the newly promoted side. Heerenveen’s previous season was impressive, as they finished 5th in the Eredivisie. De Superfriezens will hope to repeat last season’s success, and they have a brilliant opportunity to start building momentum from the very first game.
By finishing 2nd in the Eerste Divisie last season and earning themselves promotion, the Schapenkoppen are the firm favourites to be relegated this season. Although, a win this weekend would be a bold statement that bellows ‘we’re not going down without a fight’. The sides have only met twice in successive years (1994 & 1995) and both games ended in 1-1 draws, so predicting the outcome of this game based on previous results is a guessing game. Keeping this in mind, anything could happen on the pitch.
Prediction – SC Heerenveen 2-0 FC Dordrecht
SC Cambuur v Twente
After gaining promotion in 2013, Cambuur finished a miraculous 12th in the league last season. Martijn Barto was imperative to their success, as he grabbed goals against teams such as Ajax, where his strike earned them a point against the champions away from home. He also scored twice in their dramatic 4-3 win over Vitesse, which helped them stay slightly above the relegation zone. Despite the positive aspects of Cambuur’s season, they have never managed to beat Twente in the league, so will be more than content with a point.
Twente will go into this game as favourites to grab the 3 points, despite having to travel away from home. They managed an impressive 3rd place finish last year, and their intentions this season are to finish that little bit higher. Dutch youngster Quincy Promes will be one to look, after showing impressive form for the U21 national team. His flair and skill may just be too much for the Cambuur defence as Twente are set to have a field day in Leeuwarden.
Prediction – SC Cambuur 1-4 Twente
Willem II v PSV
Eerste Divisie champions Willem II face a tough opponent to start the season, and may struggle to keep out PSV’s exciting front line. The last time the home side secured a victory against the visitors in the league was in 2004, so this weekend’s fixture is not one that Willem II have achieved success with in the past. In addition to this, they have lost their main goal-scorer from last season, Ruud Boymans to their fellow Eredivise team Utrecht.
Despite PSV starting their 2014/15 campaign away from home, they will want to return to Eindhoven with their first win of the new season. There’s one thing for certain, PSV are exhilarating to look. Pace and skill are their main assets, and players such as Memphis Depay, Zakaria Bakkali and Luciano Narsingh complete these assets in style. The newly promoted side will have a tough afternoon defending against the attacking talent that PSV have to offer, and I doubt they’ll keep them at bay for too long.
Prediction – Willem II 2-4 PSV
Ajax v Vitesse
2013/14 Champions Ajax will hope to retain their reputation by gaining their 34th Eredivisie title. Last season they achieved both the biggest home and away wins, and had Daley Blind take home the Player of the Year award. Despite this, Ajax may struggle to hit the ground running, as they have only collected one point from their last two games against Vitesse in the league. There may be a place in the side for the 19 year old Anwar El Ghazi after scoring 8 goals in only 150 minutes played during preseason.
Vitesse have arguably the toughest start to the new campaign as they take a trip down the Amsterdam ArenA to face the biggest team in the Netherlands. Without players such as Christian Atsu available after completing his loan spell from Chelsea, Vitesse may struggle to attack the Dutch giants with force and aggression.
Prediction – Ajax 3-2 Vitesse
Go Ahead Eagles v FC Groningen
Go Ahead Eagles endured a sticky spell towards the end of last season, toying between finishing 10th or 15th. They concluded in 13th place, which took a massive effort from everyone involved in the club. They will attempt to start the season as they mean to continue, and a home game versus 7th placed Groningen may be exactly what they need. The last time Go Ahead Eagles faced Groningen at their home stadium, De Adelaarshorst, the sides took a point each from a 3-3 draw, despite Groningen having two players sent off.
Groningen will hope to take 3 points home after travelling to Deventer to face Go Ahead Eagles. They finished last season positively, after going on a 10 game unbeaten run and qualifying for the Europa League after beating AZ Alkmaar 3-0 on aggregate. Groningen will hope to prolong this impressive form by beating Go Ahead Eagles on Sunday.
Prediction – Go Ahead Eagles 1-1 Groningen
ADO Den Haag v Feyenoord
Feyenoord's first test in the 2014/15 Eredivisie season is a trip to the Kyocera Stadion, to face ADO Den Haag. With Feyenoord finishing second in the league last year, they're hot favourites to dispatch a weaker opposition. However, after selling Bruno Martins Indi to Porto, Daryl Janmaat to Newcastle and releasing Stefan De Vrij, their defence is ripped of all experience. Mathijsen and Kongolo (who recently extended his contract) will have to plug the holes at the back. In addition to the loss of defenders, Feyenoord have also lost their top goal scorer in the 2013/14 season, Graziano Pellè, to Southampton. Feyenoord have also lost their manager, Ronald Koeman, to (you guessed it) Southampton, who was immediately replaced by Fred Rutten. Rutten, who has managed in the Eredivisie before for clubs such as Vitesse and PSV, has taken over a Feyenoord side that may struggle at the weekend after a midweek battle with Besiktas.
Den Haag will look to replicate their success in the 2010/11 season, in which they did the double over rivals Ajax, and won their Europa League play-off, securing the last Dutch spot for a trip to Europe. Mike van Duinen is set to start, who will be aiming to prolong his form from last season, where he grabbed himself 8 goals in the league. Michiel Kramer is also one to look, as he scored 7 goals last year. On their day, van Duinen and Kramer can do some serious damage, especially to a weakened Feyenoord defence.
Prediction - ADO Den Haag 1-2 Feyenoord
