The 2010-2011 season of the Netherlands Eredivisie is about to kick off with no less than 5 teams laying their claims to the ultimate football trophy of the country.

Last year, Twente looked like an unlikely candidate to win the league but they eventually emerged as champions due to a one point advantage over Ajax as the final line was drawn.

Ajax looks very solid entering the new season especially as they managed to keep their top players even though star striker Suarez made quite an impression in the 2010 World Cup and was on the buying list of many top clubs across Europe and in my opinion they have the better chance of grabbing the top spot.

When we talk about the top spot of the Eredivisie there is no way we can leave out PSV and Feyenoord, both teams eager to leave their mark as pressure is mounting after a few years without great accomplishments.

AZ Alkmaar’s season was a poor one, only the 5th spot for them and a huge gap from the first 2 teams, Twente and Ajax. The team does not look as solid as it did in previous years and they will probably have a though time in their chase for a good spot.

The Eredivisie has always been a surprising league with the top teams constantly alternating great victories with huge appointment against weaker teams but one thing is sure, we can expect once again many goals.

PSV – Feyenoord 11 April 2010

PSV last 5 league matches:

PSV last 3 home matches: 

Feyenoord last 5 league matches: 

Feyenoord last 3 away matches: 

Table positions: PSV - 3, Feyenoord - 4

PSV home table position: 3

Feyenoord away table position: 4

Derby match in the Dutch Eredivisie with PSV battling out for the championship title and Feyenoord with it’s own objective of a Europa League spot at the end of the season.

PSV is currently on the third spot of the chart with a total of 72 points, no less than 5 from leaders Twente and only one from second Ajax and a chance in the preliminaries of the Champions League. One thing is certain from them, with a comfortable distance of 16 points from Feyenoord, at least the third spot is assured.

After a troubled period, PSV seems to be back in form and won the last 2 matches played, both away with lower ranked teams. They have yet to lose any matches on home ground with a statistic of 12 victories and 3 draws in all 15 played and a very good goal ratio of 37 scored and only 12 conceded.

Feyenoord has lost some ground recently due to the large number of matches finished in draws, no less than 3 form the last 5 played, and now sit only 2 points above AZ Alkmaar and 7 from Heracles, their main 2 threats for an Europa League spot.

The championship battle is far away as the gap from the first 3 is impossible to surmount in the few matches left. The team has a very decent away record in the Eredivisie with no less than 8 victories and 5 draws in 15 played but with their defeat suffered early in the season to PSV, chances are small to grab a positive result from this one.

My pick: PSV to win

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Galatasaray – Fenerbahce 28 March 2010

Galatasaray last 5 league matches:

Galatasaray last 3 home matches: 

Fenerbahce last 5 league matches:

Fenerbahce last 3 away matches:

Table positions: Galatasaray - 2, Fenerbahce -3

Galatasaray home table position: 1

Fenerbahce away table position: 4

A very exciting derby match in the Turkish Super Lig with 2 legendary rivals Galatasaray and Fenerbahce going head to head for the top spot and a clear chance of getting the championship title.

This match may prove decisive for the race to the championship as the team who will win this has a good opportunity to gather momentum and separate in the lead.

Galatasaray is on the second spot of the charts with a total of 53 points, only 2 below leaders Bursaspor and with a narrow advantage over their rivals Fenerbahce, joust one point.

They are the favorites going into this match with the home crowd support behind them guarantying a huge pressure but with 2 losses in the last 3 rounds of the competition the team needs to improve on it’s play. As far as the home record goes, Galata has the best of all teams with no less than 10 victories and 3 draws in all 13 played completed with a superb goal ratio of 32 scored and only 9 conceded.

Fenerbahce is close behind and with an upward stats in results lately as they managed to claim 7 points in the last 3 rounds. Their 3 point gap from the leaders is achievable but both them and Galatasaray need all 3 points as Besiktas is 4th with a total of 52 points and looking forward to a draw between them.

No victories for Fenerbahce in the last 3 matches played away with 2 draws and one defeat and a statistic that shows only 6 victories and 3 draws in 13 matches played whilst traveling. Their 3-1 victory at home over Galatasaray in the first part of the season will certainly give them a morale boost but it’s yet to prove that this will be enough.

My pick:  Galatasaray to win

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Sporting last 5 league matches:

Sporting last 3 home matches: 

Porto last 5 league matches:

Porto last 3 away matches: 

Table positions: Sporting -4, Porto -3

Sporting home table position: 8

Porto away table position: 4

Derby match in the Portuguese Superliga as Sporting Lisbon welcome rivals FC Porto in a match that is certain to draw huge crouds to Estadio Jose De Alavalade on Sunday.

Neither of the 2 teams living up to expectations this season and the statement is more true for Sporting Lisbon as the team sits on the 4th spot of the table and with little chance of advancing this year. They have a total of just 29 points in 20 matches played in the competition and the current form does not give much hope for improvement any time soon. Only one reason for joy, their qualification in the next phase of the Europa League as they eliminated Everton this week.

Their home ground statistic is very poor with only 4 victories and 3 draws in 10 matches played and a similar goal ratio of 11 scored and 10 conceded which is totally unacceptable for a team playing in front of the home crowd.

Although FC Porto is joust one step above Sporting Lisbon in the table the gap between the 2 teams is great. Porto has a total of 43 points, no less than 14 above their adversaries in this game and with some hopes for the top spot as they are 6 points from leaders Benfica.

Their run lately has been good with 3 victories in the last4 played and a big plus in morale as they eliminated Arsenal in the Champions League and head on to the next round. They are one of the strongest teams on home ground but the away play is rather modest with a record of 4 victories and 2 draws in 9 played but a good defense as they conceded only 6 goals whilst scoring 15.

My pick:  FC Porto to win

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Portugal League Cup – Semi Final

*matches in all competitions

Sporting last 5 matches: 

Sporting last 3 home matches: 

Benfica last 5 matches: 

Benfica last 3 away matches:

The first semi final in the Portuguese League Cup with 2 of the giants going neck to neck for a place in the final with Sporting Lisbon welcoming Benfica.

With FC Porto looking like clear favorites in the other match of the phase, against Academica on home ground, this cannot be said about this math with 2 teams of similar strength and playing it out.

Sporting Lisbon after a period in witch they regained their form and advance especially in the domestic league has lost the past 3 matches played, 2 in the Portuguese liga against Braga and Academica and where knocked out from Taca de Portugal by rivals FC Porto with an embarasing 5-2 scoreline.

They looked very strong on home ground where after 4 consecutive victories they where defeated by Academica, nonetheless showing a great appetite for scoring but with some visible gaps in defense as well.

Benfica seems to be favorite to reach the final after their very good results this season in the domestic league where they top the table with 4 points advantage over second Sporting Braga with 2 matches more played than their direct adversaries.

After no less than 4 consecutive victories, the team suffered it’s first set back this week with an unexpected 1-1 draw away to Vitoria Setubal. They showed a very good form in away matches lately with no defeats in the past 9 played from which they won 5.

My pick: Benfica to win