Eredivisie

The Complete Dutch Eredivisie Football League Guide by 22Bet 

Everyone has a favorite Dutch football player. It could be Johan Cruijff, Marco van Basten, or Virgil van Dijk. Throughout history, the Dutch have fundamentally impacted the development of global football as we know it today. 

This guide will share everything you need to know about football in the Netherlands. You’ll learn what “Total Football” is and why it was such a game changer. We cover star players like Dennis Bergkamp, Ruud Gullit, and Frenkie de Jong, but we’ll also highlight respected coaches like Louis van Gaal, Ronald Koeman, and Guus Hiddink. And you won’t miss out on famous Dutch stadiums like “De Kuip” and the “Johan Cruyff Arena”. 

You’re about to discover all this and more in our guide on the premier league of the Netherlands: the Dutch Eredivisie. 

What is the Eredivisie?

The Eredivisie has become one of the strongest football leagues in the world. It’s currently ranked sixth in Europe, behind England, Spain, Germany, Italy, and France. 

Most fans know that there are three standout clubs in the Eredivisie: Ajax, Feijenoord, and PSV Eindhoven. These clubs have succeeded in the national league and international competitions. Remember the legendary Ajax team that won the Champions League in 1995 against AC Milan and the Feijenoord squad that won the 2002 UEFA Cup against Borussia Dortmund.

The League consists of 18 teams and each year, the teams ranked 17th and 18th in the standings are directly relegated. The number 16 faces playoffs with teams from the First Division or “Eerste Divisie.”The top teams in Eredivisie play for European tickets. The champion and the runners-up qualify for the Champions League while several other teams fight for places in the Europa League and the Conference League. 

History and Significance of the Dutch Eredivisie League

You’ll find Eredivisie in the Netherlands. The Dutch Eredivisie, meaning “Honour Division” in Dutch, was founded in 1956 and has produced many iconic teams. One of the most well-known is Ajax. They won the Eredivisie 36 times, all UEFA club competitions, and the Club World Cup. The “Sons of God” first succeeded in the 1970s with legends like Johan Cruyff and Arie Haan. They had another peak period in the 1980s with stars like Rijkaard and Marco van Basten. 

Their success continued in the 1990s with players like Dennis Bergkamp and Patrick Kluivert but also with defensive stalwarts like Edgar Davids and Frank de Boer. Although their success waned a bit in the 2000s, they reached the semi-finals of the Champions League in the 2018/2019 season. Their team included Frenkie de Jong, Matthijs de Ligt, and Hakim Ziyech. 

The second-most popular club is Feijenoord. It has 16 Eredivisie titles and 14 Cup wins. Similar to Ajax, they found their early success in the sixties and seventies, when players like Coen Moulijn and Willem van Hanegem led the Rotterdam team to numerous triumphs. 

They slumped in the 1980s, and it took them until 2017 to end an 18-year Eredivise title drought. In 2002, they won the European League 3-1 against Borussia Dortmund and lost the first-ever Europa League final against AS Roma in 2022 (1-0).

Another top team from the Netherlands is PSV Eindhoven. Together with Ajax and Feijenoord, they are considered the “Big Three” of the Eredivisie. With 25 domestic titles, they’re the second-most successful team in the Netherlands. 

Over the years, PSV fans have witnessed world-famous talents in their red and white jersey, such as Ronaldo, Ruud van Nistelrooij, Romario, and Ruud Gullit. Although their last European title was won in 1988, the club plays almost every year in the Champions League and is considered to be one of the 32 strongest clubs in Europe. 

Eredivisie Schedule and Fixtures to Watch

The Eredivisie schedule is determined annually. The league commences in August, and the last match is in May. Matches take place on the weekend, but midweek games are planned occasionally. 

One of the most anticipated games is “De Klassier,” or “The Classic”, between Ajax and Feijenoord. This rivalry is more than just a match; it’s a clash between Amsterdam and Rotterdam and the most popular game to bet on.

When you want to follow the Eredivisie fixtures, keeping your weekends free is best because most matches occur throughout the weekend. It starts with a Friday evening game, and on Saturday and Sunday, the matches kick off between 12:00 and 21:00. On 22Bet, you’ll find all matches played in the league with the best odds and live betting. 

Eredivisie Fixtures for the Entire Season

On 22Bet, you can find all the Eredivisie season fixtures, including the dates, times, and locations. Whether Ajax plays at home in Amsterdam or AZ Alkmaar plays away against FC Groningen, you can find predictions and background info about every club and player in just a few clicks. 

Bookmark this page to quickly check the latest betting options for the Eredivisie and make your best bets. 

Upcoming Eredivisie Games and Playoffs

The Eredivisie has two types of playoffs: Those for European places and those for relegation. The relegation playoffs occur after the season ends, in which the number 16 plays two rounds against teams from the First Division.

In the playoffs for a Europa League place, the teams that place 5 to 8 in the league standings play against each other in a bracket system, which often leads to unexpected qualifiers. These games can turn a season into success, especially for teams not included in the “Big Three”. 

Where do I Find the Eredivisie Standings? 

Want to know where your favourite Dutch club is in the standings? On 22Bet, you can find the league table with real-time rankings updates, including points, goal differences, and recent form.

Throughout the season, the club’s positions shift in the Eredivisie table, and in most cases, Ajax, Feijenoord, or PSV walk away with the title. However, fans have witnessed unexpected champions like FC Twente and AZ Alkmaar in recent seasons.  

Head-to-head records also impact the standings, while the goal difference can sometimes be decisive. For example, in 2006/2007, PSV won the Eredivisie by scoring just one more goal than Ajax after 34 games. 

By evaluating the Eredivisie standings, you get a good idea about who’s hot and who’s not. These insights can help you predict future performances or even the outcomes of certain games. 

Eredivisie Clubs to Watch

Let’s look at some Eredivisie Teams that might not be as famous as Ajax or Feijenoord but still have earned their stripes in the Dutch League. 

• AZ Alkmaar: Won the Eredivise in 1981 and 2009 under head coach Louis van Gaal, who also celebrated successes at Ajax and Barcelona. These days, they end up in the top 5 most of the time and are a well-known club in Europe, where they mainly feature in the UCL and UEL. 
• FC Twente: After winning their first title in 2010, the club almost went bankrupt and was relegated to the First Division. However, the “Tukkers” have been at the top of the league in recent years. 
• FC Utrecht: Although the club has never won the Eredivisie, they are one of the clubs with the most potential. Backed by a wealthy owner and a loyal fanbase, the club has frequently qualified for European competitions and has won the Dutch Cup several times. 

Famous Eredivisie Players and Top Scorers

Interested in the top Eredivisie players and goal scorers? We don’t even know where to start. Few leagues produce more famous players than the Eredivisie. But let’s look at some that we can’t forget about:

• Johan Cruyff: The legendary Number 14, who awed the crowds of Ajax and Barcelona, took football to another level. Contemporary managers like Pep Guardiola often quote his football wisdom even after his death. 
• Marco van Basten: Two-time Ballon d’Or winner and striker in the Dutch national team that won the European Championship in 1988. He formed a legendary trio at AC Milan with Frank Rijkaard and Ruud Gullit. 
• Dennis Bergkamp: The Dutch magician showed his magic at Ajax and Arsenal and was considered the best player by Arsenal teammate Thierry Henry. You have homework if you’ve never seen his goal against Newcastle. 
• Clarence Seeforf: One of the few players who won the Champions League with three different clubs: Ajax, Real Madrid and AC Milan. 
• Ruud van Nistelrooy: One of the most prolific strikers the Eredivisie has ever seen. He earned a transfer to Manchester United after several years at PSV and later also played for Real Madrid. 

The Eredivisie is known for nurturing new talent, and every year, young players make lucrative transfers to bigger leagues. Players like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Mason Mount, and Tijjani Reinders made their first steps in the Eredivisie. 

Eredivisie Stats and Goal Leaders

Make sure you don’t miss out on detailed statistics. Focus on top goal scorers who often make a transfer to a bigger club in another country. 

Use this 22Bet section to follow player performances and team data that might influence match results. Our analysts provide comprehensive match predictions that give you the latest updates on team strategies, injuries, tactics, and match conditions.

Eredivisie Results and Scores

We not only provide Eredivisie predictions, but you can also find the latest Eredivisie match results. If you missed a game or want to revisit an exciting match, you’ll find all the necessary information here. 

Want to see how “Lucky” Ajax got away with another sneaky win or how Feijenoord secured another victory on pure willpower? Here, you can stay up-to-date on the latest scores and individual player rankings. 

Eredivisie Scores and Highlights

Don’t forget the highlights of leagues that don’t get as much attention as the big five leagues. On X and in our Telegram group, we share the most amazing goals and highlights of the most important matches in the Eredivisie. 

Dutch Eredivisie Goals and Top Performances

Willy van der Kuijlen is the all-time top scorer of the Eredivisie with 311 goals, most of which he scored for PSV. Johan Cruyy is third on the list with 215 goals. Other famous names include Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who is in 13th place with 154 goals; Dirk Kuijt, who is in 14th place with 153 goals; and Ronald Koeman, who is in 27th place with 126 goals. 

But you won’t only see Dutch nationals on the list. Dušan Tadić has 119 goals, Jon Dahl Tomasson has 112 goals, and Mateja Kežman has 105 goals. These are also a few of the top 100 scorers of the Eredivisie. 

Who will follow in their footsteps? Check this page daily to find out who will be the top performer in the league this year. 

Eredivisie Predictions, Odds, and Betting

When you want to stay ahead of the game in Eredivisie betting, stay aware of things like team form, injuries, and tactical considerations. And what is a better place than 22Bet?

We know all about the Dutch League, and our analysts offer predictions that even betting professionals use to make informed bets. Who will follow in the footsteps of Cruyff, van Basten, and Kluivert? With our insights, you’ll be the first to know and profit from that knowledge. 

Dutch Eredivisie Odds and Betting Tips

You must understand how the odds work when betting on the Dutch Eredivisie. Let’s briefly examine the two most common types of odds, decimal and fractional. 

Decimal Odds

Decimal odds represent the total payout for a successful bet, including the stake. For example, if the odds are 2.50 for Ajax and you bet $10, your total return would be $25 (2.50 × $10), a $15 profit.

Fractional Odds

Fractional odds show the profit relative to the stake. For example, odds of 5/2 mean that for every $2 bet on, you win $5 in profit, plus your original stake.

Don’t forget about bankroll management because it ensures you can continue your betting over the long term by minimising the risk of losing everything on a single wager. This way, you can be sure that you make more strategic and informed decisions, especially when you follow our Eredivisie tips. 

Eredivisie Winners and Historic Champions of the Eredivisie

Although Ajax, PSV, and Feijenoord have won most Eredivisie titles, there are always surprise stories. We’ve already mentioned the wins of AZ and FC Twente. Other Eredivisie teams like Sparta Rotterdam, Go Ahead Eagles, and Willem II from Tilburg can also boast triumphs in the league. However, these wins took place almost three decades ago, and in recent years, the “Big Three” have snatched up all the titles. 

Historic Champions of the Eredivisie

Many historic Eredivisie champions have made a lasting impact on the league. The Ajax team of the 1970s is still remembered for its unique style of football, which was later copied by other clubs. Another legendary PSV team won the treble when the Netherlands became the European Champion in Germany in 1988.

One thing all these famous Dutch teams had in common was their focus on attacking-based football. This style was enhanced by unique individual talent, ensuring that Dutch clubs and the national team were always treated with respect.