ERIK SAYS :

SC Heerenveen v Vitesse Arnhem
Football: Netherlands, Eredivisie 2009/2010
Saturday, 15th August 2009 - Kickoff 20:45 CET

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SC Heerenveen

Once again SC Heerenveen did not manage to convince last Friday losing 4-1 on the road to NEC after the disappointing 0-0 draw at home to Roda JC.

After a good season last year the team totally seems to have lost track scoring only twice in three games (including the 5-1 defeat against AZ in the Dutch Super Cup) with the creativity in the team looking totally gone.

SC Heerenveen was simply outplayed against NEC and the hosts were able to combine freely without getting interrupted much by the visitors.

It took until five minutes from time for Papadopoulos (att) to score the first goal for SC Heerenveen in the Eredivisie this season and the team will host Vitesse on Saturday.

SC Heerenveen will still have a few missings with goalkeepers Vandenbussche (gk) and Steppe (gk) most likely remaining sidelined. Smarason (att) is also not expected to be fit in time and Roorda (mid) will sit the game out with a long-term injury.

Svec (def) will be welcomed back in the selection after missing the game against NEC last Friday.

Vitesse Arnhem

Vitesse grabbed their first point in the Eredivisie last Sunday drawing 0-0 at home to Feyenoord. The hosts were given too little by this result with Vitesse dominating the first half and the biggest part of the second half.

In the first half Kolk (att), Nilsson (att) and Claudemir (mid) were all given excellent chances to open the score but all failed to put the ball in the back of the net with Kolk (att) hitting the post from six yards.

In the second half it was again Vitesse with the best of the play and once again the hosts were given two good chances on the opening goal.

Halfway the second half Feyenoord grew a little stronger after making some changes in the team, but both teams did not manage to find a goal in the remainder of the second half.

For the game against SC Heerenveen on Saturday Vitesse will have a fully fit selection apart from the substitute goalkeepers Graafland (gk) and Van der Sman (gk).

THe Betting Verdict

Vitesse played a more than decent game against Feyenoord and were unlucky not to score. With the scoring power of SC Heerenveen being way below par, the odds for the game are not quite what could be expected with SC Heerenveen being made the clear favorites to win the game.

I will go against the flow in this one and side with Vitesse to grab at least a point in Heerenveen on Saturday.

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take Vitesse +0.5 AH goal not to lose (4/10)