Prediction: Feyenoord vs Willem II

Verdict: Total home goals over 2.5

Best odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Betfair

Looking to improve on their runners-up finish from last season, Feyenoord will kick off their 2024/25 Eredivisie campaign on Saturday afternoon, hosting Willem II at De Kuip.

While Feyenoord have solidified their place among the dominant forces in Dutch football, their opponents are newly promoted and eager to quickly adapt to the challenges of the top flight.

Feyenoord

Feyenoord spent much of the 2023/24 Eredivisie season chasing PSV Eindhoven at the top but ultimately had to concede their domestic title with two league games remaining. Under the guidance of then-coach Arne Slot, now at Liverpool, De Stadionclub finished seven points behind PSV despite accumulating a club-record 84 points.

The Rotterdam outfit closed last season in impressive fashion, remaining unbeaten in their final 14 matches across all competitions, including seven consecutive league victories and a 1-0 win over NEC Nijmegen in the KNVB Beker final.

This cup triumph earned them a spot in the Johan Cruyff Shield against PSV on Sunday, where new manager Brian Priske began his tenure on a high note with a penalty shootout victory following an exhilarating 4-4 draw in regular time.

Priske, who previously led Sparta Prague and Midtjylland to league titles in the Czech Republic and Denmark, respectively, will be aiming to continue his winning ways at Feyenoord and secure a championship in a third different country within five years.

Team News

Feyenoord will be without Quilindschy Hartman, who is sidelined due to a knee injury, while Gijs Smal is also unavailable with a calf problem. Additionally, Austrian international Gernot Trauner is ruled out after suffering a muscle injury during the European Championships.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future amid interest from Atletico Madrid, David Hancko is expected to feature in the starting lineup. Meanwhile, last season’s top scorer, Santiago Gimenez, has already opened his account for the new campaign, netting twice in the recent Johan Cruyff Shield clash against PSV.

Willem II

Willem II secured a triumphant return to the Eredivisie after a two-year absence by claiming the Eerste Divisie title last season, overcoming Groningen’s challenge despite winning only one of their last four matches. Peter Maes’s side managed to finish four points clear at the top, confirming their promotion after the disappointment of losing in the promotion playoffs two seasons ago.

Their last stint in the Eredivisie in 2022 was underwhelming, as they ended up 17th in the table and had the league’s worst defensive record. This weekend’s trip to Rotterdam is a daunting task for Willem II as they seek to make a positive start in their return to the top flight.

However, they’ll need to overcome a poor recent record against Feyenoord, having lost their last six encounters, five of which saw them fail to score.

Team News

Willem II will be without Erik Schouten for their Eredivisie opener, as the 32-year-old continues his recovery from an injury that kept him out of pre-season. Additionally, Niels van Berkel remains sidelined with a knee problem, extending his absence since December.

These injuries leave Peter Maes’s squad short of key defensive options as they head into their challenging match against title-chasing Feyenoord.

Conclusion

Given the significant disparity in quality between the two sides, it’s difficult to envision any result other than a comfortable victory for Feyenoord. The home team is expected to dominate and secure a straightforward win, kicking off their league campaign with three points.

Verdict: Total home goals over 2.5

Best odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Betfair