Mamelodi Sundowns have never won their opening five games of the league season. They face a winless Richards Bay side who will have to defy all the odds to get a result here.
Richards Bay vs Mamelodi Sundowns
DStv Premiership
Wednesday, 23 August – 17:00
King Zwelithini Stadium
Richards Bay
Kaitano Tembo’s tenure at Richards Bay has not started out the way he would have liked with the KZN side losing two and drawing one of their first three opening matches. Their only goal of the season has come from the penalty sport which Boikanyo Ramatlakwane Komane converted in their 2-1 loss to Golden Arrows in the Derby two weeks ago.
This encounter couldn’t have come at a worse time for them where they face a ruthless Sundowns team while the morale and confidence levels in their own camp are dwindling.
They were awful in the opener against SuperSport United where they failed to register a single shot on target, and the Brazilians will certainly look to punish their defensive errors. However, their encounter with Golden Arrows would have left Tembo with a few aspects to admire in their game, including putting together more passes than their opposition while and getting more corner kicks.
Though they really should have threatened Arrows’ goal more, a foundation was laid in that game and Richards Bay need to build on it.
To Win Match
Richards Bay 5/1 | Draw 3/1 | Mamelodi Sundowns 5/10
Mamelodi Sundowns
With 10 goals scored already in their four games played, everything points to a victory for the reigning champions here. They already sit five points clear of cross-town rivals SuperSport and TS Galaxy on the log (who both have a game in hand), but are showing strong signs of bossing around every club in the division this season.
Their recent outing versus Chippa United proves just how far ahead Sundowns are in comparison to the teams in the PSL – completing more than 540 passes in the game with 68% ball possession.
I believe Richards Bay are going to suffer the same fate as the Chilli Boys here, and their best approach to this encounter will be to avoid sitting back and inviting danger from the champions. Do not get over confident and attempt playing from the back because they will pay the price against this high-pressing side.
Verdict: Sundowns to lead at half-time (1/1)
Rhulani Mokwena’s men have managed to find the back of the net the in the first half in all their league matches this season, particularly in their last two matches against Arrows and Chippa United where their attack combinations have just been too strong for their opponents to deal with.
They are tipped to collect maximum points here, but they lead at half-time.
