SBV Vitesse v ADO Den Haag
Football: Netherlands: Eredivisie 2010/2011
Sunday 8th August 2010 - Kickoff 14:30

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Vitesse

Vitesse is a club with financial problems, and this shows in the lack of funds to strengthen the squad.

The ultimate example is Florian Riedel, player of Hertha BSC II. After a testing period of 3 weeks and making a good impression, Vitesse didn't offer him a contract because the lack of funding.

So far the only incoming transfer is the talented defender Luca Caldirola from Inter, on loan obviously. On the contrary, 5 important players left. Captain Verhaegh, midfielders Hofs, Kaya and Claudemir and striker Kolk. This leaves Vitesse with a squad full of talented young players without much experience.

Of course manager Theo Bos is trying to take off the pressure by saying that surviving in the Eredivisie is a top performance, but if nothing changes this might come true. As it looks now outgoing transfers are more likely then incoming transfers, and that is pretty worrying.

With the unrest under fans it's likely the stadium will be filled only half, and being favourites based on their home advantage is doubtful in my eyes.

ADO Den Haag

ADO has had their unrest last season, when manager Atteveld had a conflict with more then half of the players of his squad. Now new manager John van den Brom has brought the necessary rest in the group.

Important players who were planning to leave because of Atteveld, decided to stay and start fresh. The squad will be mostly the same one as last year, as no starters has left the club.

The departure of forwards Soltani and Oper was a blow but ADO got Russian striker Bulykin back from Anderlecht (on loan). It's not clear wheter he will take part in this match. Besides that no real action on the transfer market, but the most important transfer might be the the new manager.

As said earlier, important players decided to stay and so far the atmosphere seems to be much better. Players have the belief they might be the surprise of the season and might stear clear of relegation with less trouble then last season. I have the same feeling about this team, and a good start after a good preperation might be less then a surprise as the odds suggest

The Betting Verdict

Vitesse is in all sorts of trouble, the biggest one is the lack of real quality on the pitch. As it looks now they'll be starting with a selection of young talents, what seems like a gamble and relegation is no longer excluded.

ADO Den Haag seems to be on the other way up, with a stable squad which isn't weakened compared to last season.

Vitesse are only favourites based on the past, but the situation has changed drastically, and so I'm taking ADO +0.5 on the AH.

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take ADO Den Haag +0.5 goal start @ 1.90