Eredivisie round 18

Heracles v VVV Venlo
AZ v Den Haag
Feyenoord v Willem II
Waalwijk v Sparta
NEC v Vitesse
Groningen v Heerenveen
Utrecht v Twente
NAC v Ajax
Roda v PSV

It's the last round of fixtures for 2009 in the Netherlands with the Eredivisie shutting down after this weekend until January 22. Whatever happens this week, 2010 will start with Twente and PSV with a healthy lead over the rest. It's merely a question of how big that lead is. Twente have their toughest task for a while this week, away at Utrecht who are a good side to watch and make light of their lack of stars with a keen work ethic. Still without defeat, Steve McClaren's side will start favourites, but if ever they were going to drop points, it could well be here. PSV are also unbeaten and are very short odds to emerge victorious in Kerkrade against Roda JC. Each week that goes by with these two rolling on serenely, the pressure ramps up the following week. Eventually, something will have to give, but it looks like we'll have to wait until after the enforced calendar change for that to happen.

Ajax will be third after this round no matter what transpires and NAC are in the firing line for Europe's top scorers. Just as lonely in fourth are Feyenoord, at home to Willem II this week and for whom the veterans Jon Dahl Tomasson and Roy Makaay are still doing the business, even if they are costing the club a fortune.

Waalwijk will end the year rock bottom, but they have been playing better week by week. Results haven't always shown that, but three wins at this stage is slightly better than it was looking after round ten. They face Sparta who are beginning to struggle. Waalwijk have yet to draw this season, but don't be surprised if they break that duck this week. NEC have slipped into the bottom three, but have a great chance to get out of it against the almost unreadable Vitesse who are equally capable of stuffing or getting stuffed. Den Haag are also down there and have a tough trip to Alkmaar to face the champions who have had a bit of time with Dick Advocaat now.

Groningen against Heerenveen is a big game at the bottom end, but with so much riding on it and both teams in poor form, it doesn't whet the appetite unlike Heracles against VVV Venlo. On paper, this looks a cracking game. Heracles are going well and playing some nice football while we all know what VVV are capable of in the right mood. If both sides fire, this could be a mini-classic.