Predictions for the 12th round of the Eredivisie, November 7-9
Twente – Telstar
The Dutch Championship is already in full swing, with eleven rounds behind us and the twelfth underway. The opening match will be Twente against Telstar. The hosts are clear leaders, positioned in ninth place and evidently stronger than their opponent. Telstar is second to last with 8 points after 11 matches. Poor finishing and weak defense are the main reasons for Telstar's downfall. Twente fully understands that they have every chance to win and will strive to secure three points on their home turf.
Match Prediction for Twente vs Telstar: home win with a handicap (-1)
Excelsior – Heracles
Excelsior usually plays compactly and disciplined at home; Heracles is fighting for points this season and has shown instability in defense so far. However, the last match will surely go down in history, as thrashing Zwolle 8-2 is a true celebration for the fans. Heracles has great potential, but it will be difficult for them to win a third match in a row. Excelsior's home organization and Heracles' issues over the distance could be key factors. It is logical to expect that the hosts will try to secure three points. But look at how Heracles is striving. It seems we are in for a very interesting and high-scoring encounter.
Match Prediction for Excelsior vs Heracles: both teams to score
Volendam – NAC Breda
Volendam plays boldly and openly at their stadium – constantly loading the penalty area and applying pressure, so it's not surprising that Volendam has earned 8 out of 10 points at home. Breda arrives with the task of not dropping points, as losing could mean falling from the thirteenth position and missing out on a top-8 spot in the near future, but their finishing sometimes falters on the road. We are unlikely to see a high-scoring game, as both teams will play cautiously since both need a win, and neither has the best finishing.
Match Prediction for Volendam vs NAC Breda: total under 3.5 goals
PEC Zwolle – Sparta Rotterdam
Zwolle will take a long time to recover from the nightmare defeat to Heracles, losing 8-2 to a league outsider is too much. Yes, Zwolle is not a clear leader, but even for them, this is excessive. Sparta, on the other hand, will try to strengthen their position in the top-8, although it will be challenging. No matter how you look at it, this is a match of character, and Zwolle has something to prove, especially in front of their own fans. After such a crushing defeat, they need to rehabilitate themselves. Moreover, we know that Zwolle is not that weak, so they have every chance to challenge Sparta.
Match Prediction for PEC Zwolle vs Sparta Rotterdam: hosts will not lose
Fortuna Sittard – Heerenveen
Heerenveen is in excellent form, after a poor start they are on an eight-match streak with five wins and three draws to their name. Gradually, the team is climbing up the league table and is already aiming for the top-8. Therefore, Heerenveen can be considered favorites in almost every match. Fortuna, on the other hand, is struggling, unable to find their game, alternating between wins and losses, with more losses than wins. Poor finishing is also not in favor of the hosts. It seems that Heerenveen will not stop and will continue their unbeaten run.
Match Prediction for Fortuna Sittard vs Heerenveen: Away win with a handicap (0)
NEC Nijmegen – Groningen
NEC, after a bright start, is losing ground, having won only one of their last five matches. Their finishing, which was a formidable weapon, has also started to falter. Overall, NEC is gradually falling lower and lower in the league table. This cannot be said about Groningen, who are breathing down Ajax's neck. The team is in fifth place, trailing the Amsterdam side by just one point. It seems that Groningen will do everything to break into the top-4, especially in the upcoming round. Groningen's solid defense could be a key factor in this game, so don't expect many goals.
Match Prediction for NEC Nijmegen vs Groningen: Total under 3.5 goals
AZ Alkmaar – PSV
The central match of the round – AZ will play against PSV. Alkmaar has climbed to third place, thanks to Ajax's failures, and is now only four points behind the leaders. But it seems that PSV will not allow them to get closer. The level of Feyenoord and PSV is much higher; these are two teams of a completely different class that will decide the outcome of the championship. Yes, it's pleasant to watch AZ, with five consecutive wins in all competitions, but PSV is a brand, a mark that is undisputed.
Match Prediction for AZ Alkmaar vs PSV: Away win
Utrecht – Ajax
Ajax continues to disappoint its fans. The team has won only once in their last seven matches. In the Champions League, they are in last place with one goal scored and 14 conceded. Zero points on the international stage and losing points in the domestic championship. Ajax is already in fourth place and could even lose this position. Their opponents are Utrecht, and they will have to play away. The home team plays excellently at home, having collected 13 out of 18 possible points, conceded only five goals, and scored 14. The home crowd will indeed drive Utrecht forward, making it extremely difficult for Ajax.
Match Prediction for Utrecht vs Ajax: The hosts will not lose
Go Ahead Eagles – Feyenoord
Feyenoord will try to maintain their first place in the championship. The team is ahead of PSV only on additional indicators, having lost to them in the penultimate round. In the 12th round, their opponents will be Go Ahead Eagles.Eagles. The "Eagles" are in eleventh place and are not showcasing any standout football; they are a typical mid-table team that wins where everyone expects them to and loses in matches where nothing is expected of them. Feyenoord cracks such mid-table teams like nuts. So, the visitors will not encounter any problems.
