SC Heerenveen v ADO Den Haag
Football : Netherlands : Eredivisie
Sunday, 3rd October 2010 - Kickoff 14:30

SC Heerenveen

Heerenveen were in a comfortable position against Roda last week, but gave away their 2-0 lead. Naive defending is still in their play, and at the back they look insecure and the position of goalkeeper is getting weaker time after time.

This means that Heerenveen are able to score, but unable to defend well which brings the to a goal difference of 12:12. Only one clean sheet in 7 matches, which was at champions FC Twente. Can you still follow it?

Striker Dost seemed to be in his zone finally, with 2 goals scored. The wingers and midfielders are used to his play now, and know when he wants the ball in his feet or deep. Heerenveen played with different wingers as both Assaidi and Beerens were not fit.

Assaidi is still injured but Beerens is likely to start here again, which is very positive. He brings something extra and is one of the important players at the moment, creating a lot of chances with his crosses. But defensive midfielder Svec is missing out, which is a blow, as he guards the balance on midfield better than anyone else.

ADO Den Haag

ADO Den Haag are on a roll, and with a 6th place they are achieving something which most people didn't expect.

As I wrote in my first preview this season, I had high hopes of ADO and was expecting a better season for them. They failed to deliver in the first two rounds, but since then they are unbeaten in five games.

In these 5 matches they have scored 14(!) times, the latest match being a 3-2 victory against Heracles Almelo. They are bravely playing forward, believing in their own qualities. New manager van den Brom has brought an offensive way of playing, and some players really lived up by this decision.

Most notable must be winger Wesley Verhoek, who has been in the squad for several years, but never really developed. But now he has shown his crosses can be crucial, as he already has 7 assists, the highest number in the Eredivisie.

This is also helped by the fact that new striker Bulykin is a smart finisher, and his six goals so far prove this. The last player up front, Kubik, also made an impact scoring four goals. ADO will play the same game they have done so far, with three strikers and play to win, and play to score.

The Betting Verdict

Before this season I would always have backed Heerenveen in this fixture. But with the drastic changes at ADO, the Heerenveen win is not a cert anymore.

Both teams are stronger up front than at the back, which will result in open play. Heerenveen's defensive backs are probably not good enough to stop ADO's wingers, but the same can be said on the other side.

ADO will have a hard time stopping Roy Beerens and targetman Dost, and this is a fixture I believe will contain goals.

As I'm expecting both teams to score, and maybe multiple goals, I will back the over in this match. Odds are not great, but I am accepting 1.76 on over 3.25 goals. Top price is 1.80 at Ladbrokes.

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take Over 3.25 goals at 1.80 at Ladbrokes