Eerste Divisie – Round 17
Cambuur-Eindhoven 01/12/23, CET 20:00
Home team with momentum, 5 wins in the last 6, the latest being a 2-1 victory on the challenging field of Venlo. Cambuur boasts an outstanding firepower – the best attack in the league with 39 goals, including 11 by Milan Smit, Eerste Divisie's top scorer. They are climbing the standings with direct promotion in sight. Tough moment for the visitors, no wins in the last 4, with a stagnant offense (17 goals in total). Eindhoven needs a perfect defensive game – with an objective advantage over opponents: 16 goals conceded against 30. However, the momentum is with the yellow and blacks, both for the over and for the 1.
Den Bosch-Jong Ajax 01/12/23, CET 20:00
White and blues in an open crisis: 8 losses in the last 9, last home win dated September 15. Only two players – Kostorz and Boumassaoudi, with 9 goals out of 16 for the team – seem capable of making a difference, but it hasn't been enough so far. Meanwhile, Jong Ajax has overtaken them in the standings, seemingly having turned things around with 10 points in the last 4 games, seeking the first away win of the season, fueled by the excellent form of Mika Godts – 2 goals and 1 assist in the last 3. Friday's match in s'Hertogenbosch could see an intriguing 2, otherwise, high opportunities to see the over.
Dordrecht-Roda 01/12/23, CET 20:00
A new high-stakes test for Santoni's Dordrecht, winless in 4 but holding their ground against strong Ado Den Haag (2-2) in the last game. The red and whites, though currently out of the playoff zone, are a fast and offensively lethal team (33 goals, the second-best attack in the league). Roda, on the other hand, has returned to winning ways – a thrilling 1-0 against modest Maastricht at the 90th minute – defending the second place that means Eredivisie promotion. In the last 10 games, both teams have the same points (17), with Dordrecht performing better in front (22 goals scored against 13) and Roda trailing behind (7 conceded against 13). The battle on the wings – Kriwak-Suray vs. Ould Chikh-Pena Zauner – promises sparks. Yes to the over, for thrill-seekers, a draw (X) is in the game.
Groningen-Venlo 01/12/23, CET 20:00
Groningen is finding its form: the 5-0 victory (with 5 different scorers) in a challenging away game against Alkmaar feels like a show of strength and liberation. Now, they need the third consecutive win to catch the playoff train. Venlo has lost the last two and is only one point ahead: Kruys's team is uncomfortable, well-coached, but has not found the right run of results, and their physical condition suffers. The match, on paper, is balanced, without designated technical leaders, with the green and whites potentially finding their way in the long run. The 1 is reasonable, although much less certain than the odds suggest.
Helmond-Ado Den Haag 01/12/23, CET 20:00
A roller-coaster season for Helmond: the recent 4-1 defeat by Jong Ajax confirms a new crisis – 4 losses in the last 5 – after a promising October. Ado Den Haag, on the other hand, bounced back against Jong Utrecht (6-0) after three winless games. Technical advantage for the yellow and greens, the best away team in Eerste Divisie – 19 points in 9 games, unbeaten – and a 9-point lead in the standings. All eyes on the goal-scoring duel between Martijn Kaars (11 goals) and Henk Veerman (9). If the balance is disrupted, Ado can go for the full haul.
Maastricht-Jong Az 01/12/23, CET 20:00
A match with a high uncertainty coefficient. Maastricht has won only one in the last 8 and is the worst home team in the league – 5 points in 7 games. The question is how Jong Az will react to the heavy 0-5 defeat by Groningen during the week: it was supposed to be a breakthrough game for Addai and company, but it could now shatter certainties. The overall standings are still good (eighth place, playoff zone), the squad's potential is high, especially from midfield up. A double chance 1-2 can be considered, with a potential draw due to circumstances. The total number of goals is also on the edge between under and over.
Oss-De Graafschap 01/12/23, CET 20:00
And yet it moves: the 0-0 away against Eindhoven feels like a feat for bottom-placed Oss, given the season's circumstances. The red and whites ended a negative streak of 5 consecutive losses, scoring only once in the last 6. Now or never for De Graafschap, with 26 points, missing the breakthrough away in the last match against Utrecht – a 2-1 defeat. However, they now have a great opportunity to try again against a struggling opponent. Logic suggests the 2, although it could be more challenging for the visitors than expected, and Oss – 2 goals conceded in the last 3 – has at least sorted things out defensively: no hint of a goal-fest.
Willem II-Emmen 01/12/23, CET 20:00
The big match of the day, first against third in the standings. Both teams come in with three consecutive victories: Willem II more emphatic, scoring 8 goals in the last 2 away games, while Emmen's wins have been more closely contested. Keep an eye on Thijs Oosting, with 2 consecutive goals for the home team. Pjotr Parzyszek remains the key player for the red and whites. Tilburg's team has the advantage of home turf and greater offensive potential, while Emmen relies on Eredivisie experience, making them the least beaten team in the league. It promises to be a finely balanced match, not necessarily high-scoring, with Willem II slightly favored. But a draw would bring a smile to both sides.
Jong Psv-Breda 04/12/23, CET 20:00
Ups and downs in Jong Psv's season, but when they get it right, they can be a formidable team, as Dordrecht and Cambuur can attest. Breda seeks further momentum after two consecutive wins that brought them back into playoff contention, especially after a convincing away victory (4-1 in Maastricht), proving their ability to win away from home. An open, potentially unstable game, leaning towards the over. Double chance 1-2, especially considering Jong Psv's risk-taking tendencies, disregarding the consequences.
Jong Utrecht-Telstar 04/12/23, CET 20:00
A 'bipolar' trend for Jong Utrecht, vulnerable away (-19 goal difference) but solid at home. Their overall balance places them in the mid-table, reflecting the values of a team lacking standout performers. Telstar's form is also indecipherable, capable of nullifying a poker against s'Hertogenbosch with a 1-5 defeat at home to Willem II. Losing against the league leaders was understandable, but the heavy defeat wasn't. The third-to-last position speaks volumes, despite Zakaria Eddahchouri's efforts (9 goals so far). Anything can happen in this game.