Our soccer analysts predict which team will win the 2018/19 Premier Soccer League title.
The 2018/19 Absa Premiership promises to be a memorable campaign with 16 teams vying for the ultimate prize. Mamelodi Sundowns are looking to pick off where they left off last season, claiming their eighth league title in emphatic fashion, doing so with a game to spare.
Orlando Pirates were narrowly behind the champions and also closed their campaign off in style. Coach, Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic, and his assistant, Rhulani Mokwena, are ready for the new challenge after a stellar pre-season tour, and with the new additions, featuring the likes of Brilliant Khuzwayo, Vincent Pule, Ben Motshwari and Kudakwashe Mahachi, the Ghost Ship could be ready to sail the seas of glory this season.
While it may have proved to be a two-horse race in the 2017/18 campaign, Kaizer Chiefs have gone from strength to strength and looked to be a much more fearsome team in comparison to previous years. Amakhosi, along with Bidvest Wits, SuperSport United and Cape Town City, will be doing all in their might to upset the applecart and claim the biggest accolade in Mzansi.
Now, with so many teams challenging for the title, our Absa Premiership writers have been handed the task of picking one above the rest, while they also gave us their predictions on who will finish in the top eight. Here’s what they have to say.
Banele Pikwa says Mamelodi Sundowns – 19/10
Despite losing stars Percy Tau and Khama Billiat, Pitso Mosimane made some big signings this year and has an incredible team with players from all over the world. Mamelodi Sundowns’ ambitions are to conquer Africa and win the Champions League. They sign players from South America, Europe and top African players. By doing so, they become automatic favourites to win the Absa Premiership and I don’t see any team competing with the likes of Andile Jali, Jeremy Brockie, Hlompho Kekana, Gaston Sirino, Toni Silva, Tiyani Mabunda, Themba Zwane, Oupa Manyisa and many more.
2) Orlando Pirates
3) Kaizer Chiefs
4) Bidvest Wits
5) Cape Town City
6) Chippa United
7) Maritzburg United
8) Highlands Park
Relegated: Baroka FC
Play-Off: Polokwane City
Jesse Nagel says Orlando Pirates – 7/2
Looking at the way Orlando Pirates have utilized the transfer market, addressing their weak areas by signing 11 players, including a right-back and a goalkeeper, it would be extremely difficult to back against them. As I’ve mentioned before, they’ve got the coaching staff to go the distance in coach Milutin Sredojevic and Rhulani Mokwena who have tactically outclassed every opponent that they have come up against, and, they’ve done a superb job in making Orlando Stadium a daunting ground to visit in the Absa Premiership. The Bucs staff made it clear that it was never their intention to win the league last season, but this time around, they certainly can’t fool me. I believe that they’re good enough to win it, and I believe that they WILL win it.
2) Mamelodi Sundowns
3) Kaizer Chiefs
4) Cape Town City
5) Bidvest Wits
6) Chippa United
7) Maritzburg United
8) AmaZulu
Relegated: Baroka FC
Play-Off: Bloemfontein Celtic
Benedict Ngwenya says Orlando Pirates – 7/2
The Mighty Buccaneers worked hard on mastering their new game model at the start of last season and after the players had grasped it, they started winning important games and they came close to winning the league. I think the players that they’ve signed and the squad they had last season suits coach Milutin Sredojevic’s tactics. Their only downfall would be complacency as they’re playing the best football in the league. Mamelodi Sundowns will come close but their CAF Champions League involvement both this year and next year will be a distraction.
2. Mamelodi Sundowns
3. Free State Stars
4. Maritzburg United
5. Kaizer Chiefs
6. Cape Town City
7. Golden Arrows
8. AmaZulu
Relegated: Baroka FC
Play-Off: Bloemfontein Celtic
