Netherlands – Eerste Divisie
Preview of Matchday 14. Friday, 10/11/23, 20:00
Breda vs. Jong Ajax
Breda suffered its first defeat under van Gastel’s management, narrowly losing (1-0) at the tough ground of De Graafschap. The yellow and blacks now need to reclaim three points at home to stay in playoff contention: their performance so far splits them mid-table – 5 wins and losses alike, with 22 goals scored and 23 conceded – yet the team’s potential suggests they could aspire for more, especially once the infirmary clears up. Jong Ajax comes off a surprising victory at de Toekomst, where the high-flying Willem II stumbled (1-0) last Monday. It's a sign of revival, leaving the last place behind. But away from home, the Ajacieds have lost all seven matches: an invitation to bet on Breda, although it won’t be easy.
Dordrecht vs. Jong PSV
Santoni's red and whites continue to prove themselves as a robust and resilient side: in the last matchday against a Groningen desperate for points, Dordrecht held firm (2-2) in the face of a comeback. Austrian Rene Kriwak – with 9 goals in the last 7 league and cup matches – becomes increasingly valuable for an attack that’s performing splendidly – 30 goals, second only to Cambuur. Jong PSV, on the other hand, is in a slump: despite a strong performance against the more favored ADO Den Haag, they still suffered (1-2 at 94’) their fourth consecutive loss last Monday. A potential psychological blow, having led until the 81st minute. And their 28 goals conceded make up the second-worst defense in the league. An open match is expected, likely high-scoring, with Dordrecht as favorites.
Eindhoven vs. Venlo
The hosts are brimming with confidence after nearly toppling league leaders Roda (1-1), matching them throughout the game. After some shaky performances, Eindhoven seems to have tightened their defense. However, to compete for the top spots, they need to create more opportunities: 16 goals in 13 matches are insufficient by Eerste Divisie standards. Venlo, meanwhile, missed an opportunity, conceding a last-minute equalizer to Jong AZ (2-2 at 95’). Nonetheless, coach Kruys has led them to four consecutive useful results. Just one point separates these two teams in the standings – 21 against 20, close to the playoff zone: an evenly matched game is expected, potentially with a low scoreline, where Venlo will struggle to hit on the break, and Eindhoven will be favored by playing at home. The draw is a tempting bet.
Emmen vs. Den Bosch
It’s a testing time for Emmen – with just one win in the last four matches – as they failed to secure more than a draw (1-1) against the struggling Maastricht. Yet, their roster remains strong, and so does their standing: 23 points, just 3 away from direct promotion. The match of the day comes against Den Bosch, who are coming off a modest home draw (1-1 against Jong Utrecht), halting a streak of four losses. The Polish strikers' duel will be a highlight, with Piotr Parzyszek (4 goals and 2 assists) facing off against Kacper Kostorz (5 goals and 2 assists). But Emmen can’t afford any slip-ups. A home win is expected, possibly with a handicap.
Jong AZ vs. Helmond
The last-minute draw at Venlo (2-2) boosts Jong AZ's morale, who will return to Alkmaar on Friday: they’re the third-best home team in the league – 16 points from 7 games. Helmond continues its great run of form, undefeated in the last 6 matchdays and now in the playoff zone. Both teams are similar in technical structure and performance – 21 goals scored each, with Helmond conceding 3 less and sitting 3 points ahead: the face-off will feature the league’s top scorers, Jayden Addai (9 goals and 2 assists) and Martijn Kaars (10 goals). An open match is expected, with either a home win or away win: Jong AZ plays to win, Helmond has learned how to avoid defeat.
Oss vs. Maastricht
The red card early in Monday's match does not excuse what followed: the 8-1 home defeat at the hands of Cambuur is the worst home loss in Oss’s history. The team is last, technically in disarray – 10 losses in the last 12 – and seemingly lacking the resources to recover. Maastricht is slightly better off, coming from three consecutive draws (all 1-1), against respectable opponents – Emmen and Cambuur included. However, this lower-table clash is hard to predict due to the overall fragility of both teams: barring another meltdown, a low-scoring match driven by the mutual urgency to gain points is expected.
Telstar vs. De Graafschap
Telstar’s season pattern is becoming clear: a modest team, reliant on the plays of Zakaria Eddahchouri (5 goals and 1 assist), finding form at home (3 consecutive wins) while struggling away (1 point from 7 games). De Graafschap, on the other hand, has raised the bar, narrowly beating Breda and Eindhoven in the last two rounds: the Blues have leaped to fourth place with 23 points. Now, the challenge is to also step up away from home, where Basar Onal and company have suffered two consecutive losses – with 7 goals conceded. This weekend's match seems manageable, making an X2 bet reasonable.
Willem II vs. Jong Utrecht
The surprise defeat at Jong Ajax's ground was a classic trap game, and in the end, Willem II got caught (1-0). An unexpected misstep, losing the top spot, halting the sprint of Peter Maes’s squad – seven consecutive wins in league and cup before Monday – but not their ambitions. Willem II is gunning for direct promotion, and despite not having major offensive 'aces' beyond Jeremy Bokila (5 goals), it's a mature and complete team. The chance for redemption comes quickly: Jong Utrecht, fresh from a rare away draw (1-1 at Den Bosch), known for their 16 defeats in the previous 18 away games, come visiting. All signs point to a home win, possibly with a handicap.
ADO Den Haag vs. Cambuur (12/11/23, 14:30)
The game looked tough at Jong PSV's ground, but in the end, it turned out golden for ADO: a winning comeback at 94’ (1-2), while direct competitors slowed down. The Yellow-Greens are back to second place, just 1 point shy of the top, extending their unbeaten streak to 12 official matches. And beyond the usual Veerman (7 goals), they find new offensive heroes every time. But beware of Cambuur, revitalized under coach De Jong: the rout against the modest Oss (8-1 with 8 different scorers) might not be a standard, yet the Frisians confirm themselves as the best offense of the league (34 goals in total) and are fixing their defensive leaks (27 conceded, but only 3 in the last 3). They'll be in the playoff hunt as well. An open, high-scoring match is expected: the victor will be the one with more to give.
Roda vs. Groningen (12/11/23, 16:45)
Even as the league leader shows signs of struggle, Roda is proving its mettle: when winning isn't possible – as seen in the 1-1 draw at Eindhoven – knowing how not to lose is valuable. In this respect, the Yellow-Blacks are thankful for the usual brilliance of Ould Chikh (6 goals and 3 assists) and the well-structured play under coach Sibum. At home, their record is nearly perfect (6 wins from 7), but Groningen should not be underestimated: a noble but wounded side, six games without a win, yet on paper much more competitive than their current 13th place suggests. It's a tricky match that, in the end, Roda could narrowly clinch. A cautious home win seems likely.